Alejandro Escovedo Echo Dancing (Gold)

“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. The variety of songs range from his short-lived rock quartet Buick MacKane, rarities from his ‘80s alt-country outfit The True Believers, to the celebrated songs of his solo discography from his debut album all the way to his most recent sprawling masterpiece, The Crossing. Highlights include a reimagined trip-hop-funk hybrid of Escovedo’s “Castanets” (retitled here as “Castañuelas''), a blistering version of “Bury Me” that finds that songwriter now older than the characters he was singing about, as well as songs co-written with trailblazers such as Chuck Prophet, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey and J. Steven Soles. At age 73, Escovedo continues to reshape his ever-changing sound and experiment with the boundaries of Americana music. The 2xLP vinyl edition of Echo Dancing is pressed on gold vinyl and arrives in a gatefold jacket. 1. John Conquest 2. Sacramento & Polk 3. Bury Me 4. Everybody Loves Me 5. Too Many Tears 6. Castañuelas 7. Outside Your Door 8. Sensitive Boys 9. Thought I’d Let You Know 10. Swallows of San Juan 11. Last to Know 12. MC Overload 13. Inside This Dance 14. Wave