|
Sign up now for a FREE Citygigs listing. No strings, no bull, just
free unlimited self serve access to your info on the site.
New User? Click here!
|
|
The El Mocambo Gets Escovedo Love
By David McPherson
Toronto
February 17, 2003
Three days after Valentine's Day, love permeated the air at the historic El Mocambo. in Toronto. Alejandro Escovedo, singer/songwriter and alt-country troubadour, was in town to play a few love songs. Tealights adorned the tables, a red cloth hung beyond the stage, and the lights were dimmed. Be forewarned though, the native of Austin, Texas' definition of love is not always typical.
"All the songs we are doing tonight are love songs," said an enthusiastic Escovedo shortly after 11 p.m. when his band took the stage. The band's next song was "Deer head on the wall," explaining it was a "taxidermist's love song."
Alejandro's appearance in Toronto on this wintry February night was a rare treat, especially since he was accompanied by a string quartet (two violins, cello and guitar). Midway through his set, the South by Southwest regular joked that his hands were still thawing; his graceful guitar playing and picking showed no signs of cold though. Escovedo's evening program included most of the songs from his last album, A Man Under the Influence, plus highlights from Thirteen Years, and By the Hand of the Father.
"You are in for a treat tonight … I heard the sound check earlier," said opening act Chris Tait before closing with the best song of his set - an electrified ballad he explained was about "a guy in Sudbury who passed away waiting for a set of lungs in Toronto." This closer showed Tait's talent for penning a good story, and set the stage for the Texan-tales that soon followed.
The room was as silent as a Sunday confessional while Escovedo and his bandmates set up. The evening began with an instrumental solo as the Escovedo eyed the scene and watched like a proud conductor as his mini orchestra performed. As the last note from the cello sounded, Alejandro said, "You can clap if you like … clap louder if you really enjoyed it." The crowd responded with accelerated applause.
As the night wore on, the angelic strings hypnotized the crowd, and Escovedo's brooding voice cast a spell on everyone who battled the elements to be in the environs of the El Mo last night. Concert-goers sipped beers, and just stared at the magic on stage. Only the occasional polite whisper between friends was heard as the folk-country-rocker and his "strings" offered one sad tale after another. The loudest sound emitted from the crowd during Escovedo's hour-and-a-half performance was when some guy knocked over a bunch of beer bottles from a table at the back of the bar.
The crowd craned their necks to get a good view of the stage. Several times throughout the evening the bar was empty, as people were so involved in the show that they did not want to get a beer for fear they would miss something. The music was so captivating that the bartenders were even temporarily distracted.
An affable songwriter, Escovedo was all smiles as he introduced each song by telling the story behind its creation, happy to share his muse with an appreciative audience.
The four-part harmony on "Rhapsody" showed the tightness and richness of these five musicians; "Castanets" was one of the highlights with its driving acoustic licks, and catchy chorus, "I like her better when she walks away." On this night, Escovedo dedicated this song to recently departed Clash member Joe Strummer. Backed by the string quartet, this song exploded, and got the calm crowd stomping their feet, bobbing their heads, and singing along to the chorus.
After Escovedo's last words echoed throughout the bar, he thanked the crowd, and his bandmates bowed - leaving the hundred or so souls left in attendance with mixed emotions. It was obvious that everyone was sad that the magic had ended, but happy they had witnessed such a special evening of music.
|
|
article search
|
