Alejandro Who? – Part 3

In addition to his distinctive singing voice, I like Alejandro Escovedo’s style. In this age of hipster wannabes in t-shirts and blue jeans, Escovedo still dresses like a rock star- including the trademark sunglasses- and this only adds to his coolness and mystique. He’s a musician’s musician and in recent years Peter Buck from R.E.M. has been playing in AE’s band- something the 61-year old Buck doesn’t have to be doing unless he really wants to. People want authenticity- and AE has it.

I’ve never been to an Alejandro Escovedo concert but I’m guessing the guy puts on a great show and strives to give folks their money’s worth. I don’t know much about Escovedo’s personal life- and I don’t want to know. Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones- we love these artists for their music and not for what they do in their spare time. In a world where rock stars seem to be fading by the day, Escovedo is an endangered species and perhaps that’s why he garners so much praise and respect from musicians and critics alike. As Alejandro Escovedo’s music goes, so goes the state of late 20th century folk, rock, country, and even alternative music. Here are some more of my favorite AE songs. Enjoy- and Happy Thanksgiving! 

01. Alejandro Escovedo – “Man of the World” (2012)
02. Alejandro Escovedo – “Sister Lost Soul” (2008)
03. Alejandro Escovedo – “This Bed Is Getting Crowded” (2010)
04. Alejandro Escovedo – “Farewell to the Good Times” (2016)
05. Alejandro Escovedo – “Sway (Live)” (1996)
06. Alejandro Escovedo – “After the Meteor Showers” (2010)
07. Alejandro Escovedo – “Castanets” (2001)
08. Alejandro Escovedo – “Anchor” (2010)
09. Alejandro Escovedo – “Tired Skin” (1992)
10. Whiskeytown feat. Alejandro Escovedo – “Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight” (1997)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Alejandro Escovedo – CBS This Morning: Saturday

Austin City Limits Interview with Alejandro Escovedo

Alejandro Who? – Part 2

Alejandro Escovedo comes from a musical family- his brothers played with Santana and his cousin, Sheila E., with Prince- and AE cut his teeth as a guitarist in the punk band the Nuns (who opened for the Sex Pistols during the latter’s final concert in San Francisco in 1978). Escovedo’s music defies classification- which is a good sign- and to me it sounds like he draws inspiration from everything from Vivaldi to Beethoven to Frank Sinatra to Paul Westerberg to cowboy, doo wop, and even psychedelic music. You name it and the guy probably has it stashed away in his house somewhere- on vinyl.

Escovedo writes and sings it like he’s lived it, and in a music business career nearly as old as I am that’s a lot of experience. While not overtly political, after listening to his songs for a while you begin to discern Escovedo’s views on life, love, and how people should treat each other. He supports the underdog, sees beauty in sadness, and knows each of us carries a broken heart. He’s an optimist (he’s American), believes music can help point the way toward salvation, and- like most good artists- he eventually comes to the sensible conclusion that love- real love- is the only thing worthwhile. Here are some more of my favorite Alejandro Escovedo songs. Enjoy!

01. Alejandro Escovedo – “Headstrong Crazy Fools” (2012)

02. Alejandro Escovedo – “Always a Friend” (2008)
03. Alejandro Escovedo – “Across the River” (2001)
04. Alejandro Escovedo – “Rosalie (Live)” (2001)
05. Alejandro Escovedo – “Pale Blue Eyes” (1999)
06. Alejandro Escovedo and Bruce Springsteen – “Always a Friend (Live)” (2008)
07. Alejandro Escovedo – “Irene Wilde” (1999)
08. Alejandro Escovedo – “She Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1992)
09. Alejandro Escovedo – “Last to Know (Live)” (1994)
10. Alejandro Escovedo – “Silver Cloud” (2010)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Alejandro Escovedo – Live on The Bridge – PBS

Alejandro Who? – Part 1

Don’t tell Alejandro Escovedo rock is dead- that’s how he still makes his living (as well as from folk, punk, and country music). He may not be a household name- for years his records got tossed in the Latin music section simply because of his Spanish name (for the record, he’s more cowboy poet than mariachi band singer)- but he is a prolific artist and there’s lots to unpack in Escovedo’s long and varied musical career which spans two states- Texas and California- and four decades- and, despite a health scare in the ‘00s, this proud son of Mexican immigrants is still going strong.

I first became aware of Alejandro Escovedo’s punk infused rock music about 10 years ago on Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show but only recently have I started discovering his solid folk and country chops which dominate the majority of his output. He likes to sing about women and actually seems to understand them which leads me to believe he has sisters and close female friends. He covers songs by the Stones, the Stooges, Lou Reed, John Cale, and the Velvet Underground; employs violin, harmonica, and slide guitar whenever he feels like it (not to mention female back up singers); and these things make him not only cool, dangerous, and unpredictable but also human, authentic, and worth listening to- especially his live stuff. Here are some of my favorite AE songs. Enjoy!

01. Alejandro Escovedo – “Amsterdam” (1999)

02. Alejandro Escovedo – “Losing Your Touch” (1994)

03. Alejandro Escovedo – “Tell Me Why” (1994)

04. Alejandro Escovedo – “Five Hearts Breaking (Live)” (1995)

05. Alejandro Escovedo – “Wedding Day” (2001)

06. Alejandro Escovedo – “Ballad of the Sun and the Moon” (1994)

07. Alejandro Escovedo – “Heartbeat Smile” (2016)

08. Alejandro Escovedo – “Follow You Down” (2001)

09. Alejandro Escovedo – “Sally Was A Cop” (2012)

10. Alejandro Escovedo – “Pissed Off 2 A.M. (Live)” (1996)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Little Steven's Underground Garage