Just found a couple of things in the paper this morning (93rd anniversary of the Big
Quake) and thought I'd share.
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IT'S TIME TO DISCOVER ESCOVEDO'S `BLUES'
4 stars
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Bourbonitis Blues
Bloodshot, $12.98
Why Alejandro Escovedo remains a peripheral star is something of a mystery. The
Austin- based singer and guitarist -- a former member of the Nuns and Rank & File,
leader of the True Believers and Buick MacKane -- has shared mikes with Willie Nelson
and jammed with Charlie Sexton, yet he's rarely received more than a share of the
spotlight.
If there's any justice, ``Bourbonitis Blues'' will change that. Half originals,
Escovedo's fifth solo CD illustrates his wide songwriting range. ``Sacramento & Polk''
is a dark, driving tale of (local) obsession, carved with razor-sharp guitar swipes;
``I Was Drunk'' is a pretty acoustic- electric poem; ``Guilty'' reprises an old Esco
favorite as a blues-soaked romp that evokes midcareer Rolling Stones.
The disc's covers are even better, treating tunes by John Cale (``Amsterdam''), Ian
Hunter (``Irene Wilde'') and even the Gun Club (``Sex Beat'') to fresh
interpretations. A version of Lou Reed's ``Pale Blue Eyes,'' sung as a duet with Kelly
Hogan, is lovely and perfectly placed. With appearances by the Mekons' Jon Langford
and members of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, ``Bourbonitis'' should help Escovedo gain
some fans. Critics have compared him to Springsteen, Leonard Cohen and Townes Van
Zandt. Established fans are guarding the secret, but we're silently wondering: When
will the general public ``discover'' this longtime star?
-- Colin Berry
