It was a regular Friday afternoon at the office with everyone asking “what are you doing this weekend?” “I’m going to hear some music”, I said. Oh? Who? “You probably have never heard of them – Jesse Malin and Alejandro Escovedo”, I said. “No, what kind of music?” And that’s where I was stumped. What kind of music? Alt, Alt-Country, Americana, Rock, hard to put these two musicians in a box.
Jesse Malin and Alejandro Escovedo played last night at the Brighton Music Hall, formerly known as Harper’s Ferry. The owners of the Paradise have taken it over and it’s now a big open space with a couple of bars and it’s a super music venue. We weren’t 2 at the bar but 2 at the stage!
Both these performers have something in common. Each has performed with Bruce Springsteen. Bruce sings on one of Jesse’s songs and Alejandro was called on stage to sing during Bruce’s stop in Houston.
First up, Jesse Malin. He’s a downtown, New York singer/songwriter. His voice is unique and recognizable if you’re familiar with him. He’s a bundle of energy, a little like Peter Wolf on stage. He was joined on stage by one member from his band St. Mark’s Social, his keyboard/guitarist. We quickly overcame the disappointment of him not being with the band because he delivered and then some. At one point, he jumped off the stage, ran through the crowd and up onto a bar at the other end of the room, asking the bartender for a shot of tequila and continuing to sing.
Next, Alejandro Escovedo and his band The Sensitive Boys. Some of Alejandro’s songs are so tender they can make you cry and then he can rock out like you can’t believe. He’s been around; he’s 61. His roots are punk but he has evolved and can’t be boxed in to any genre. He lives in Austin, Texas. The band – definitely not sensitive. They are a force to be reckoned with! We were directly in front of the stage and the drum beat reverberated through me, the guitars slick. Alejandro is on tour supporting his newest albun Big Station. He rocked it and he played some of his ballads and did not disappoint.
At the end of the show Jesse Malin came back on stage for one of his songs and for a killer Beast of Burden duet with Alejandro.
Why do some musicians make it to the next level and some stay below the radar? I don’t know. Jesse Malin and Alejandro Escovedo are two examples. Both good enough to be heard by a larger audience but remain cult.
Do yourself a favor, check them both out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ9UWFwtF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWu1xn3OKHM
