Customer Reviews

Bourbonitis Blues

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alejandro Escovedo's new CD, "Bourbonitis Blues," is nothing more than one would expect from America's most eclectic and multi-faceted performer. A lot of covers on this CD- more than one would hope for from this gifted songwriter. It would be tough to top "More Miles Than Money," but I find these songs enchanting and interesting. However, I must admit, and most people who have seen Alejandro live will admit, it is impossible to transfer the live gig to CD. I have seen Al in concert multiple times and it is a truly spiritual experience. A performer, entertainer, music, shaman. This CD is definately worth the money, but see him live for the real experience. He is on tour all summer so keep your eye out. "Bourbonitis Blues" will satisfy the current Alejandro fans and is sure to pull in some more. The sheer variety of music available here is sure to please any music-lover in one fashion or another. By the way, blast "I Was Drunk" from your stereo if you want to get the point of it. Cheers.

...you get to record the mott the hoople song you loved when you were 17 and actually make money doing it. ok, maybe not a lot of money, but nevertheless...

this is a collection of covers and originals, with the now trademark buzzsaw electric guitar meets the cello ensemble. the "live in the studio" sound means that the this version of "guilty" is pretty similar to the one on the live album. the john cale and lou reed covers work pretty well. escovedo's voice probably isn't up to the jimmie rodgers cover ("california blues").

the standout cut, cover of the year, is the extraordinary cover of "sex beat" by the gun club. i don't know if it was inspired by jeffrey lee pierce's death or what, but here it is performed as a dirge: the tempo is slowed way down, and the buzzsaw guitar is replaced by a spare slide, a harmonica, and some minimalist backing vocals, and some fine drumming. it is absolutely arresting. i must of listened to it six straight times the first time a played the cd.

...from Alejandro Escovedo. This time out he continues down his "baroque" singer-songwriter-meets- the-Rolling Stones path he's been cultivating most of this decade. Although this is no substitute for his live shows (do see him if you can!), it's a decent album showcasing his songwriting ability, as well as his excellent selection of cover tunes. Oh, yeah....long live Buick McKane!!!!!!!!!

I first had the pleasure of seeing Alejandro Escovedo playing Stones covers at a "hoot night" show in Austin, Texas, back in 1989, and later got a chance to actually meet him. He has never put on a bad show, mixing his dozens of musical influences---British rock, southern American country and Delta blues, punk, folk, mariachi, even classical---into a kind of sonic gumbo of different things that taste amazingly good. He is also an incredibly charismatic performer, when you see him doing his own thing, or with his band, Buick McKane; this guy can do a blistering cover of "Hot Legs" by Rod Stewart, and then follow it with an alt-country song so mournful you can feel his sadness seeping into your very pores. "Bourbonitis Blues" is a terrific example of his great talent, soul, musical inventiveness, and instrumental virtuosity; his songwriting craft is beyond brilliant, and he never seems to run dry of ability to sing, play, and compose in many different genres. Escovedo may be the most brilliant musician you've never heard of, and that should change---and soon! Whether it's Stonesy/Faces-y "booze-rock" ("Guilty"), or touching, Gram Parsons-style country-folk ("California Blues"), he can do it all! Buy this record; play it constantly; go see him perform in a city near you; dig the hell out of his sound---you'll be damn glad ya did!

Escovedo's latest CD features the Escovedo trademark - Cello and Violin. It is his use and arrangements of these two instruments that creates his unique sound. Sometimes they will be used as strings, other times they play attack rhythm like rhythm guitars and on others they play horn parts. Bourbonitis Blues is more rock than previous efforts and is a wonderful musical portrait of the artist. It is very hard for me to compare Alejandro's music to someone that you might know. However, his greatest recommendation is that people bring their friends or just come to see him live by accident and then they all leave as loyal fans with more than one CD under their arm. When listening try "Everybody Loves Me" (tr#6), "Pale Blue Eyes" (tr#7) and "I was Drunk" (tr#1).

I first became aware of Alejandro when I saw him perform on a TV show and said to myself, "I've just got to have this guy's album." Since I love the blues, I thought the safest bet would be to get this album, and I'm not disappointed. It's got to be one of the best I have ever listened to. Alejandro's got such a curious and successful mix of styles and genres ... I keep playing the CD over and over again. I love him so much that I've ordered three other of his CDs ...