The new Alejandro Escovedo album

Yeah, I still don't quite get it. Escovedo's first several albums are brilliant, and beautifully written. When he came back from his illness and started writing with Chuck Prophet, the results were Ok but generic enough that I'm not sure why he needed the assist, especially from such a prominent singer/songwriter in his own right. Whatever works, I guess.

Actually, I should give the last couple another listen. At the time I was not a fan of "Real Animal."

I agree with you. But I chalk it up more to him just getting older. That creative songwriting spark musicians have when they are young, for whatever reason, is less powerful when they get older (for most musicians). Combine that with his health woes, the more recent PTSD, etc., and I understand why he is working with others on songwriting.

Haven't paid attention to him in years, had consigned him to the Talented Journeyman category I'm afraid. But just had an algorithm recommend a tune called "Anchor" that I kind of dug.

Really like the new one. Buck as producer keeps things really raw, which is cool, and enhances the echoes of Stones, Stooges, Dolls, Lou Reed, etc.

I haven't listened to "With These Hands" in ages, such a cracking album. He takes his roots rock approach and adds strings and other sounds to push the genre in interesting ways.

I should listen to that one again

«Five Hearts Breaking» is all I need tonight

I'm not usually too interested in albums of reinterpretations but I'm finding Echo Dancing pretty exciting and unpredictable. Got intrigued by the Allmusic review mentioning "Warm Leatherette," Suicide, and "long-lost new wave or synth-punk LP," all apt. Probably helped that I started with the closing version of "Wave," which I'd love in any form, esp. this one.

he's great and has made a bunch of music since but somehow i feel like his Perfectly Ideal Track is 'velvet guitar' and have therefore not paid sufficient attention since

but, i mean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ1RazC02Eg

I used to love Al and listen to him and see him live all the time, but I admit I fell off. However, I did buy tickets to see him in a couple of months, because it's been too long and he has given me so much enjoyment. Plus, he's 73 years old and done a lot of hard-living, so ...

I haven't kept up with him and I too saw some extremely formative shows in the late 90s/early 00s

This new synth-punk record is sounding extremely great so far

lol this album is a pretty inspired novelty, though tbh for a collection of songs she mostly likes from an artist she definitely likes, I'm not sure how well my wife will tolerate it.

https://txmusic.com/how-cowpunk-hero-alejandro-escovedos-new-album-defies-expectations/?fbclid=IwAR0iFZSWfbZp1qlxAO37e3Rq0WKRzUEXHPunw4p8L2vZd2FZZFcE3KGEI88_aem_ASEMAdqzNzL6kznAZ9gMMtMhZwqSfkLE7_bwrd-r5xDCtX2Lu92nH7Odi9h0pwL6YDvYapluKRrRFpItYox06-Ad

Here's an interview with him about the new album. John Cale and Judy Nylon are mentioned as influences . Plus the Italian guy he collaborated with

Like Josh and Chris I used to keep up with Alejandro but then lost touch

He did Marc Maron's show last week, haven't heard it yet.