Calexico was pretty much set to do whatever came next. Founding members Joey Burns and John Convertino were keeping busy with other projects and hadn’t made an album in about four years, but it didn’t matter. They were ready to take the leap into their next endeavor, and leap they did.
The Tucson-based band, together for more than 20 years with seven full-length albums to their credit, has always had an ever-evolving all-star cast of talented musicians playing with them, whether recording or on tour. They’re often noted for mixing country/roots and Latin music sounds, but the range of influences is far more expansive, which brings us to their latest release, Algiers. Instead of comfortably immersing themselves in the familiar confines of WaveLab Studios in their hometown, they decided to record in New Orleans – which, in itself, is one of the biggest musical melting pots in the world. The album’s name comes from the NOLA neighborhood where they made the album, situated along the southwest banks of the Mississippi River. And all throughout Algiers you discover their inspirations – classic jazz, Portuguese styles, surf riffs, gypsy music, folk and dark pop/rock to mention a few. Yet, most interestingly, with all of these unique sounds converging, Calexico hasn’t lost its distinctive Southwestern vibe, that country/Latino style they’re known for. Unbelievably good.
Calexico’s tour includes a stop in Austin for a show tonight at Emo’s, 2015 E. Riverside Dr. Finnish-Canadian songwriter Afie Jurvanen‘s musical project Bahamas opens the show. Get there after 9 p.m. to see them both. Recommended.
[audio:https://kutx.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AMM-January-23rd-2013.mp3]
