Of all the parties happening in various storefronts, alleys and parking lots in and around Austin yesterday, none felt warmer or more genuine than
Alejandro Escovedo's annual Taco Party at
Maria's Taco Express: the quirky stand-alone establishment on South Lamar that's been serving some of Austin's best Tex-Mex since 1996. For all of the flavor-of-the-month bands racing around town to pack in up to 20 shows this weekend, seeing a local hero like Alejandro hold court at a taquieria for 12 hours was something of a throwback, like Bruce during his Stone Pony days. (Springsteen, demonstrating his own selfless streak, joined Alejandro and others onstage
Wednesday night at the Austin Music Awards.)
After old friends Marin Parusel, Lenny Kaye, Jesse Malin and about a dozen others got the middle-aged, mostly local crowd going, Alejandro himself took the stage with his 10 piece orchestra, including strings, backup singers, and saxophone (along with a slew of guitars.) Rarely have I heard such dramatic build from a rock ensemble: it really was symphonic, in the best sense of the word.
If you're still in Austin and missed him yesterday, Alejandro will be playing his traditional SXSW closing show at the Continental Club this afternoon, along with the full orchestra and "special guests." More information
online.
