Echo Dancing finds Alejandro Escovedo reconceptualizing the songs of his storied career. At age 73, he continues to reshape his ever-changing sound and experiment with the boundaries of Americana music.
“This record breathes a second life into these songs,” says Alejandro Escovedo of Echo Dancing, the Americana pioneer’s new album where he reconceptualizes the songs of his storied career. Hailed by NPR Music as a foray into "one of the most fascinating paths in music," this career-spanning collection transcends mere retrospection, heralding a bold new chapter for the acclaimed artist and visionary."
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Brian Eno, Judy Nylon, and Suicide, Escovedo fearlessly reinvents and re-records his past repertoire, infusing it with a fresh perspective that defies convention. From his roots in the gritty punk scene of 1970s New York to his revered status as Austin's "musical conscience and hometown hero" according to NPR Alt Latino, Escovedo's trajectory as an artist mirrors a singular commitment to innovation and advocacy. Championing causes ranging from musicians' mental health to immigrant rights, Escovedo's music resonates as a powerful testament to the human experience.
With Echo Dancing, Escovedo unveils a scorching reinterpretation of his seminal track "Bury Me," originally penned in the early '90s. Released on his 73rd birthday, the song encapsulates a lifetime of introspection and evolution, emblematic of Escovedo's enduring creative spirit. Reflecting on the genesis of the project, Escovedo shares, "I always feel that a well-written song can withstand a lot of abuse. Turning a past song inside out leads to discovery of new ideas you might not have understood. The songs never seem to be complete. They are always evolving.”
Spanning rarities from his '80s Austin outfits Buick MacKane and the True Believers to solo gems that solidified his status as No Depression's Artist Of The Decade in the '90s, the new album traverses a kaleidoscopic landscape of sound. From the incendiary border narratives of his acclaimed 2018 opus The Crossing to the raw urgency of his punk origins with the Nuns, Escovedo's musical tapestry is as diverse as it is compelling.
As a visionary artist and unsung hero of 21st-century American music, Alejandro Escovedo reaffirms his indelible imprint on the cultural landscape with Echo Dancing, inviting listeners to join him on an exploration of his past reimagined for the future.