October 13, 2009 (New York) – Alejandro Escovedo
is a rock star. Even though he may not be a household name, in a world
of wannabes he’s got the goods. On Sunday night at the Highline Ballroom
on West 16th Street, sandwiched in between Texas newcomers Hacienda and
headliners Los Lonely Boys, Escovedo showed the youngsters how it’s
done.
Escovedo has been around for ages. He began his career
when most of today’s rockers weren’t even born, in the mid-70’s in San
Francisco’s Nuns and then the True Believers. As a solo artist in
recent years he’s claimed Bruce Springsteen, Beck, Los Lobos and a host
of other luminaries as fans and released several classic albums,
including Gravity, Bourbonitis Blues, Boxing Mirror and last year’s Real Animal. He’s got the look, the swagger and the presence. But more importantly he’s got the voice. And the songs.
After
surviving Hepatitis C six years ago you could expect Escovedo to be a
shell of a performer. In fact he commands the stage, and seems at once
legendary as a result of the tight, intense performance of his stellar
songs and a regular guy via his relaxed, unassuming banter with the
audience.
Escovedo played an acoustic set, backed by violinist
Susan Voelz and guitarist David Pulkingham, but rocked hard. Three
songs from Real Animal and a smattering of classics over about 40
minutes and he was gone. Amazing.
Pity poor Los Lonely Boys who had to follow Escovedo’s set.
By Jeff Slate - examiner.com New York City, October 13, 2009