Romeo's Escape

Dave Alvin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005AREZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,935 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Walking Americana., March 19, 2007

By 

Once a soldier... (Spain.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo's Escape (Audio CD)

In 1986, the LP was called "Romeo's scape". In 1987 it was called "Every night about this time". In 2001 and now, we are back to the original title.

One of the best records ever. Each song a classic. Dylan and Townes are Dave Alvin's peers.Just incredible.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good remake of his Blasters' songs, May 29, 2002

By 

[e-mail] (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo's Escape (Audio CD)

I bought this CD at a Dave Alvin concert. Based on the material he played in concert, I would say this is the best of his solo albums. Of course he has the luxury here of recording some of the best of his non-solo stuff.

Dave Alvin was the song-writing part of The Blasters, one of the most enjoyable bands playing American music ever to put out a record. When they were in their prime, nobody did stuff like this better. With his brother Phil doing the singing, they had a distinct sound, and you had to see Phil perform to fully appreciate the whole Blasters experience.

Alas, people don't get along and Dave and the Blasters parted ways. Dave has set off on a solo career that hasn't seemed that successful, and at last checking, the Blasters continue to tour without Dave. Problem is, without Dave to write good songs, the Blasters are probably doomed to being an oldies act.

What makes this album interesting is that you get to hear Dave's songs SUNG by Dave. He will tell you in concert that the idea was strange to him when first proposed, and if you followed the band, you might think the same. No, Dave does not have a smooth voice at all. In fact, it's downright gravelly from countless cigarettes.

But what you do get is the author of some songs singing them the way he thinks they should be sung. If you were a Blasters fan, hearing songs like "Long White Cadillac", "Jubilee Train", and "Border Radio" might take some getting used to, but they come out as equally good interpretations after awhile.

There is feeling to the singing, too. "Border Radio" is slowed down a lot, and you look at it a different way. And you will be hard-pressed to find a more heart-rendering performance than what he does with "Every Night About This Time". He also rocks hard on the album with "Romeo's Escape" and "New Tatto", which balance it out nicely.

There are not that many bands doing this kind of music anymore, so catch Dave or the Blasters if they come to your town.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-felt music, May 1, 2000

By 

"herhillneb" (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo's Escape (Audio CD)

Dave Alvin shows off his song writing chops-- and they are in fine form on this album. Bumming out on a lonely night? Try listening to "Every Night.." or "Border Radio". His words paint a head-filling picture. Wonderful album.