Alejandro Escovedo Turns Up the Volume on His 9th Solo Release 'REAL ANIMAL' Due June 24

Alejandro Escovedo Turns Up the Volume on His 9th Solo Release 'REAL ANIMAL' Due June 24

Rich musical past brought to life with help from famed producer Tony Visconti

Taps new management team

NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- REAL ANIMAL Alejandro Escovedo's 9th solo album and follow-up to 2006's critically-acclaimed THE BOXING MIRROR will be released in-stores and online June 24, 2008. A limited edition double vinyl release featuring two bonus tracks: "In Love Again" and a cover of the Stooges "I Got a Right" will be released on June 10, 2008. Produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T.Rex, Thin Lizzy), REAL ANIMAL is a collective journey through Escovedo's various musical incarnations from punk rock to string quintets and is as introspective as it is retrospective. "The inspiration for this record really is my life in music and the characters that I've known in and throughout that life. It's also about how music helped me survive that life," Escovedo said. Recorded at Saint Claire Studios in Lexington, KY, REAL ANIMAL features a band of frequent collaborators, including David Pulkingham (guitar), Josh Gravelin (bass), Hector Munoz (drums), Susan Voelz (violin), Brian Standefer (cello) and Chuck Prophet (guitar).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080417/NYTH112 )

The 13 original tracks on REAL ANIMAL unravel Escovedo's musical autobiography while presenting him as a masterful American musician, whose palette encompasses eloquent string quintets and shattering blasts of punk rock. From his early days in the punk scene of San Francisco ("Nuns Song") to chaotic times living at the Chelsea Hotel alongside Sid & Nancy ("Chelsea Hotel '78") through his pioneering alt-country days with Rank & File ("Chip n' Tony"), REAL ANIMAL weaves a vivid tale of music as well as characters met, played with and lost along the way ("Sister Lost Soul" and "Sensitive Boys"). The punk-infused track "Real as an Animal" is an homage to Stooges' front man Iggy Pop -- one of the many influential artists that hit home with Escovedo -- while "Golden Bear", a song named after a local music club in Huntington Beach, CA where Escovedo spent his teen years, has a haunting and melodic reference to his near-death battle with Hepatitis-C.

REAL ANIMAL marks Escovedo's second release for the EMI-based Manhattan/Back Porch Records. General Manager Ian Ralfini says of Escovedo, "Alejandro Escovedo, to date, has been somewhat of a cult hero and rock & roll's 'best kept secret'. I believe with the team of people who put together this record, most notably producer Tony Visconti that will be no more." He continues, "I am absolutely thrilled with this record and believe it is his best record to date."

Escovedo will also usher in a new management team as he joins forces with Jon Landau Management. "Alejandro is a great artist and REAL ANIMAL represents the best writing and performing of his career. We're proud to represent him," said his new manager Barbara Carr of Jon Landau Management.

   REAL ANIMAL - Track Listing:   01    Always a Friend   02    Chelsea Hotel '78   03    Sister Lost Soul   04    Smoke   05    Sensitive Boys   06    People (We're Only Gonna Live So Long)   07    Golden Bear   08    Nuns Song   09    Real as an Animal   10    Hollywood Hills   11    Swallows of San Juan   12    Chip n' Tony   13    Slow Down    www.alejandroescovedo.com     www.manhattanrecords.com  

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080417/NYTH112
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Manhattan/Back Porch Records

CONTACT: Heather Davis of Manhattan-Back Porch Records, +1-212-786-8653,
Heather.Davis@bluenotelabelgroup.com

Web site: http://www.manhattanrecords.com/
http://www.alejandroescovedo.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment