Entertainment For Lively Minds
Alejandro Escovedo
Posted by Carl Parker on 7 October 2011 - 7:30pm.
When:
Thursday 6th October 2011
Where:
The Jazz Cafe, Camden, London
Comments:
Old man’s music is how Alejandro’s son described his music, he tells us. I say he’s wrong.
This music is simply magnificent. Dave Pulkingham, 'a white man who plays like a Chicano', and Alejandro can conjure up a storm on 2 acoustics as well as playing with the utmost delicacy and all tempos and volumes in between.
A superb intersong raconteur, he enraptures us with tales of his father, his own life and those of others. Chelsea Hotel 78 tells of when Sid killed Nancy, when AE was living there, Rosalie is a true story of an affair dragged out of seven years with the lovers meeting once a year until finally united. These two songs encapsulate the most rocking end and delicate ends of his repertoire.
This gig was just so very, very good. A day later and I’m still buzzing.
This is an artist who has so much to offer. I'd love to see him with his band. I wish I'd discovered ages ago instead of only 4 or 5 years.
The Audience:
Mainly male, mostly over 40, but pleasingly a smattering of younger fans as well, who seemed to know his catalogue very well. There was hardly a murmur during the inter song anecdotes.
Food & Drink:
There's the food upstairs but tables had sold out by the time I got round to buying tickets. It's near enough to eat at home after work and get to the venue.
A pint of Guinness a staggering £4:80.
It Made Me Think...:
No Depression magazine named Alejandro artist of the decade in the 90s. He had lost years recovering from serious illness but he's still got it in him to be a major artist now. I love being by the stage, but he should be playing larger venues.
Carl I am so jealous
He is the one artist I really want to see live. He bypassed Birmingham on this tour which annoyed me but hey ho. I am convinced he is someone that would be loved by many m,ore people if his stuff was more widely known. As you say he can do delicate and rocking with equal ability.Anyone unfamiliar with his work should get the introduction to cd which is a perfect starting point or Real Animal which has the wonderful song The Swallows of San Juan on it. A real talent.
Great write-up Carl. Saw him a few hours ago in Newcastle ...
What a show - Alejandro and David Pulkingham were awesome. They both unplugged their acoustic guitars and microphones for the encores (Mott The Hooples "I Wish I Was Your Mother" and an untitled new song) - wow , spine-tingling stuff.
Anyone with a chance to see his remaining UK shows should take it.
Still hoping for the Alejandro/Chuck Prophet double bill. I know it makes sense. Surely they do. Don't they?
Chuck & Alejandro
I'd love to see those two play together. It would be something really special.
I guess they look at the economics of it. Would the audience for the pair be much bigger than those who currently go along anyway? The two are probably pretty much the same.
Still, we can dream.
I'm pleased to read that he's keeping the form up. And I agree that if anyone reading this gets the opportunity, you should go and see him. You won't regret it.
Also saw them in Newcastle last night
They were fabulous
Spoke with Alejandro briefly afterwards too - mentioned that I had been listening to All-American Alien Boy in the week, he said they'd played Irene Wilde at the soundcheck.