Bourbonitis Blues by Alejandro Escovedo

I have had the pleasure of seeing Alejandro Escovedo at least five times. Every time I see Escovedo live, I am always amazed at the fact that the audience is normally past 30. Every time you see this man, his band has changed. However, it is not change just for the sake of change but change as evolution. Escovedo is very eclectic in that he uses a variety of musical styles as part of his music. How he blends these styles is part of what makes him so interesting. His songs are somewhat on the dark side and as one friend of mine commented to me. "There was a blue eyed blond in his life once who gave him great angst."
Bourbonitis Blues is the best studio recording to feature 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 features the band as Escovedo tours with currently. 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 sampling try "Everybody Loves Me" (tr#6), "Pale Blue Eyes" (tr#7) and "I was Drunk" (tr#1).