MUSIC Rebounding from illness, singer gains attention

Cleveland is the next stop on the remarkable voyage of Alejandro Escovedo.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Residing at death's door for any period of time does wonders for one's outlook on life.
Whereas Tony Soprano changed his ways for a few minutes, the experience was naturally life altering for singer-songwriter Alejandro Escovedo, who in 2003 collapsed on stage and was subsequently diagnosed with hepatitis C.
"Absolutely, there's a huge difference," said Escovedo, calling from outside of Chicago. "After going through the experience that I went through, which was kind of like two near-death experiences in a couple of years, it just changes you. You leave a lot behind. You become less attached to things that you felt were important at one time."
Born in Texas and reared in Southern California, the 55-year-old Escovedo started performing music in college as a member of the seminal Bay area punk band The Nuns. From there, he moved to New York City where he further explored his talents before finally relocating to Austin and becoming an influential artist in the alternative country scene of the '80s and '90s.
It's been said that punk rock isn't a sound but a mind-set, with Escovedo epitomizing this theory.
"It's the same because of the spirit and the approach of the music," Escovedo said. "If you don't have concerns for commercial success, or mass consumption, you get to follow your heart and just sing the truth. And that's what I got out of punk rock. So, that approach has always been evident and part of the way that I listen and play music."
He added, "It's different in that I've become a better musician than what I was when I first started out, but all of the aesthetics are the same."
The new stuff
While Escovedo has existed in the underground for decades, the critically acclaimed artist's credibility within the Austin scene is exemplified by what his friends did when he became ill and saddled with mounting medical bills. In addition to holding fundraising concerts, artists such as Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Los Lonely Boys recorded "Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo" to help his efforts.
Such benevolence humbled and inspired Escovedo to recovery. Soon, he returned to the studio where he had been recording his latest effort. The result is "The Boxing Mirror," which is getting a lot of attention for this underrated artist.
"The album to me is about surviving the experience that I had physically and spiritually and emotionally," Escovedo said. "It's also about all of the support that I had in the midst of all of this hardship and how much love was directed toward me. The record is kind of a love letter to all of these people who supported me through all of this."
Escovedo, who performs at the CMJ Rock Hall Music Fest on June 15 at the Beachland Ballroom, is no stranger to Northeast Ohio. He performed at the 1996 Woody Guthrie Tribute that also featured Arlo Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, Ani DiFranco and the Indigo Girls on the bill.
After a musical journey that has ebbed and flowed for decades, Escovedo is basking in the new attention without any regrets or sense of entitlement.
"It feels great," Escovedo said. "I believe you get your due when it's time. So, everything that has happened to me now is happening at the perfect time. If this had come 10 or 15 years ago, I don't know if I would be as prepared, but I have a really good perspective on it right now."