Dave Alvin – Romeo’s Escape
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Posted On May 1, 2001
One image lingers after seeing the Blasters perform at the Chestnut Cabaret in Philadelphia in October 1984. While Phil Alvin sang “Long White Cadillac”, his brother, Dave, the band’s principal songwriter, could be seen silently mouthing the lyrics while playing lead guitar. In retrospect, it was a sign that a singer was waiting to emerge within one of the top songwriters of the 1980s.
A year later, Dave left the Blasters, and after a brief stint with X, launched his solo career. Romeo’s Escape, originally released in 1987, served as a musical declaration of independence, featuring Alvin’s rough-hewn vocal style and a top-notch set of songs that blended rock, country, blues and folk.
Alvin found his voice figuratively and literally. He rethought and recut three songs from his Blasters catalog with impressive results. “Border Radio” became a country duet with Katy Moffatt. “Long White Cadillac”, a song about Hank Williams’ final hours, got a bluesier edge and a vocal coda from Hank’s “Honky Tonk Blues”. “Jubilee Train”. powered by Jerry Angel’s drumming and John “Juke” Logan’s harmonica, took on added urgency and power.
“Fourth Of July”, originally recorded on X’s See How We Are, was a rueful look at a failing love affair in Alvin’s solo version. His newer songs showed no decline in quality compared to his Blasters remakes. “Every Night About This Time” was a classic slice of country heartache that would be covered in the 1990s by Joe Ely and Johnny Rodriguez.
A pair of rockers, the title track and “New Tattoo”, recall his glory days with the Blasters (former Blaster Steve Berlin, who produced Romeo’s Escape, plays saxophone on the latter). Both are shaggy-dog love stories leavened with a sense of humor. “Far Away” is a wistful and bittersweet look at childhood, augmented by the fine pedal steel of Greg Leisz. “Brother On The Line”, a folk tale of a labor dispute with siblings on opposite sides, was inspired by Alvin’s father’s career as a union organizer and features haunting violin from David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. The only song that falls short of Alvin’s high standards is “You Got Me”, a generic blues workout.
In February, Alvin won a Grammy in the Best Traditional Folk Album category for Public Domain, a collection of traditional songs. As such, the reissue of Romeo’s Escape is a welcome reminder of Alvin’s talents as a songwriter.
