Concert review/photos: Escovedo @ WCL
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Leather and swagger abound, Escovedo is rock and roll.
At the heart of last Thursday's Alejandro Escovedo concert at World Café Live was the brilliant recollection of rehab and rebirth: "Arizona." Stirring up a biographical scrape with death, Escovedo broods and ultimately finds love for himself and life. This high value for love carries over to every aspect of Escovedo's performance. He expressed his eternal gratefulness for his audience, even if it the room was not as packed as it should have been for this performer at the top of his rock game, and for the Sensitive Boys, whom he celebrated throughout the night. Guitarist Jon Sanchez and Escovedo would often jam together or respond in kind to each other's picking. Bassist Bobby Daniel and drummer Matt Strmiska complemented the sound with expert ease.
The band's tightness propelled them through a varied landscape of Texas-themed songs like "San Antonio Rain" or the longing of "Castanets." And after a gripping cover of Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane" concluded the main set, Escovedo put down his guitar and used the microphone as his main tool during the encore. As a grizzled punk crooner, Escovedo led his band and a mostly game crowd through The Clash's "Straight to Hell" and The Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden." Leather and swagger abound, Escovedo is rock and roll. You have another chance to catch him on June 24 at World Café Live at The Queen in Wilmington, Del.
Amy Cook opened with her signature flurry of solo rock.
More reviews and photos by Chris Sikich:
- The Sounds @ Union Transfer
- The Stray Birds @ World Cafe Live
- Okkervil River/Typhoon @ Union Transfer
- Tinariwen @ Prince Music Theater
- Suzanne Vega @ Two Rivers Theater
- Drive-By Truckers @ World Cafe Live/The Queen
- Arcade Fire @ Wells Fargo Center
- Throwing Muses @ Bowery Ballroom (NYC)
- Paul Simon and Sting @ Wells Fargo Center
- Ex Hex @ the Ottobar (Baltimore)
