Alejandro Ecovedo
w/Roman Candle
January 23rd, 2010
Headliners Music Hall
Louisville, KY
After the life that he’s lived and almost lost, it’s no surprise that Alejandro Escovedo puts on an incendiary performance that would probably embarrass most artists half his age. At nearly sixty, and after the 2008 release of Real Animal, Escovedo seems to be at the apex of a creative rebirth.
When he brought his band to Headliners last night – he seemed to be in segue. Saying goodbye to the Real Animal tour, while prepping new songs he’ll be recording over the next few weeks with Tony Visconti. Escovedo has a reputation for writing unflinching, self-aware lyrics that shine a light on some of the darkest and most fascinating scenes from life as a mid-level, road-weary musician.
And if Escovedo’s tortured storytelling wasn’t enough, the brash work from guitarist David Pulkingham was something to see. He weaved through gritty rock lines, old country riffs, and flamenco runs so effortlessly that it hardly seemed real. But the entire band was incredibly tight, running over new songs like they’d been playing them for years; and the older ones oozed out of their bodies like the notes were branded on their DNA.
They took the stage to George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” playing through the PA, and immediately revved the set into high gear with the opening riff of “Always a Friend” - and at no point did the band let up. These are bawdy tales of fallen friends, drunken benders, and lost loves, each told with the kind of perspective one only gains after having been as close to death as Escovedo was seven years ago, when Hepatitis-C almost claimed his life.
Even when Escovedo and the boys slowed things down with songs like “Sister Lost Soul”, “Down at the Bowery”, and “I Was Drunk” – they sent an electric charge through the crowd that had every ear hanging on every note that came from the stage. By the time they closed the set with the 1-2 punch of “Chelsea Hotel ‘78” and “Castanetes” I was so drained, an encore seemed like it might just be too much. But of course I stayed, and of course they delivered. In the last song of the night, Escovedo quite literally channeled every beast and every burden he’s ever had to bear, through the familiar filter of the Rolling Stones anthem “Beast of Burden”. It was one of those rare moments when an artist takes someone else’s song and rewrites it without changing a note or a lyric.
Being one of the few singer/songwriters out there who has not only remained relevant but only gotten better with age, I truly can’t wait to see what other stories are kicking around in his memory bank – and I really can’t wait to hear the songs they inspire.
Of course it was hardly surprising that Escovedo put on a show for the ages. However, opening act, Roman Candle, was more than a treat. The Chapel Hill via Nashville quintet played an exciting, passionate set, where each song seemed equally influenced by Gram Parsons as The Replacements as Talking Heads.
Skip Matheny’s lyrics swing from serious and sad, to clever and witty without ever seeming disingenuous; thus disarming the crowd and leaving them at the mercy of the band’s whim. Matheny is incredibly charismatic frontman, and has great rapport with the audience. We danced in the palm of his hand for the duration of their forty-five minute set – a rare feat for an opening act. Roman Candle is definitely a band that is on the rise, and after seeing them play last night – that’s the most exciting thing I’ve heard in a very long time.
