Mirror image

Alejandro Escovedo has been through a rough patch of late. He had a life-threatening bout with hepatitis C which kept him out of action for many months and his father died. His latest album, The Boxing Mirror, is naturally informed by his brush with death, as is his live show. He played some of his own material, all great, and a few choice covers, including Mott the Hoople's I Wish I Was Your Mother.

Alejandro looking cool in shades.



It helps that he has an excellent crew to work with ...



... including keyboard and electronic manipulator Bruce Salmon and cellist Matt Fish. Unfortunately I couldn't grab a picture of drummer Hector Munoz - isn't it always the way?



Guitarist David Pulkingham.



Singalong action! With Mark Andes at right. He has quite a past - he was in Canned Heat before they went on to fame and misfortune, was a founding member of Spirit and played bass on John Fahey's Yellow Princess. Yup, he's been around. He's also worked with Small Face Ian McLagan.



More Fish ... just don't look at the photographer.



More Salmon.



Faceoff action!





Danny Michel popped over from the Blues Til Dusk stage to check out the show and ended up playing some guitar on a cover of Neil Young's Powderfinger (I confess I preferred Elliott Brood's version from earlier in the week).



Michel-Escovedo faceoff action!



And more singalong action.





I liked it a lot at the time, and in retrospect, I'd say it was my favourite performance of the festival.