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