Alejandro Escovedo performs at Democratic convention Tuesday

The Crossing

Alejandro Escovedo's "The Crossing" is an extensive concept album. Social commentary and nostalgia are in evidence as Escovedo examines the immigrant experience delivered in a diverse mix of country, folk, blues and jazz over the course of an hour with a nod to the artist's roots in punk rock. Amongst the more tasteful tracks is a cover of Joe Ely's "Silver City" on which the songwriter joins Escovedo on harmony vocals. The recurring theme of immigration is ...

Street Songs of Love

When Alejandro Escovedo went into a Lexington, Ky. recording studio this winter, he did so with the intention of recording a straight forward rock and roll record in the same vein as his previous release, 2008's "Real Animal." Escovedo enlisted the help of his road band The Sensitive Boys and "Real Animal" producer Tony Visconti to help him achieve that sound. They delivered. With the opening quartet of songs, from the punchy pop of the album starting single Anchor to ...

A Man Under The Influence: Deluxe Bourbonitis Edition

Alejandro Escovedo may fly under the radar, but that doesn't mean he and his record label can't employ the marketing techniques of bigger entities. This new edition of his seminal "A Man Under The Influence" includes loads of sonic flotsam and jetsam that he has released through Bloodshot over the years, including a wonderful reading of Mick Jagger's Evening Gown, a study of a player who is fast learning he's becoming played out after so much wine, whiskey, women and ...