Had an absolutely killer night of music at The Wilbur this evening. So happy to see Los Lobos indoors in Boston for the first time -- this also marked my 10th Los Lobos show (although not really; I'm counting seeing American Crossroads with David Bromberg and Larry Campbell towards my shows, so really only nine).

In any instance, this was one of the tightest performanceS I've seen. I maintained setlists for Alejandro and Los Lobos as well.

Alejandro played his set accompanied only by violinist Warren Hood. He told a couple of really great stories, including a brief profile introduction to the song "Chelsea Hotel '78." I'm constantly astounded at the way that he rearranges his songs for different configurations, be it a rock n roll band, a string quartet, solo or a duo as in this case.

Alejandro Escovedo
The Wilbur Theatre
Boston, MA
Wed. March 4, 2015

7:35pm - 8:30pm
Sally Was a Cop
Five Hearts Breaking
Swallows of San Juan
San Antonio Rain
Dear Head on the Wall
Rosalie
Bottom of the World
Chelsea Hotel '78
Always a Friend

Standouts were "San Antonio Rain," "Rosalie," and, yes, "Chelsea Hotel '78" in all of its eerie, creepy glory.

As I mentioned, Los Lobos played a tight, fiery set. Two of the songs they played I simply could not decipher, one that I suspect may be a new song or else a cover (lyrics included something to the effect of "I wanna be your rockin' horse"?) and the other one was definitely a cover: David said they were doing it by request, and it had a very 50s-60s rock n roll vibe that they absolutely slayed, lyrics were something like "Looky here... [something about] champagne eyes."

A young guitar slinger who Myles mentioned studies under the tutelage of Buddy Guy played for the last few songs as well as the encore, which consisted mostly of an instrumental blues jam leading into "DWB" while the crew got it together (and, as David predicted "this is gonna be worth it, folks," so it was). I was surprised to hear he was a student of Buddy Guy, as this kid could actually tear it up and could play a song in its entirety.

Los Lobos
The Wilbur Theatre
Boston, MA
Wed. March 4, 2015

8:50pm - 10:20pm
La Venganza De Los Pelados
I Walk Alone
Manny's Bones >
Revolution >
"Rockin' Horse" [new song??] >
Maricela
Burn It Down
A Matter of Time
Chuco's Cumbia
"Champagne Eyes" [definite cover, unsure title]
Tears of God
Why Do You Do
Kiko and the Lavender Moon
How much Can I Do? #
Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio #
Volver #
Don't Leave Me Wonderin' @
Mas Y Mas @

Encore, 10:25pm - 10:35pm
Blues Jam > *
Don't Worry Baby *

# Louie on Drums
@ Louie sits out; features as-yet unidentified guitarist
* full band feat. unidentified guitarist

Highlights were "La Venganza De Los Pelados" (what a great way to open the set, holy cats), the segue from "Manny's Bones" through "Maricela" was solid -- but a particular highlight was that unknown "Rockin' Horse" song. That thing smoked, man. "Chuco's Cumbia" featured some great interplay, and that rock 'n roll cover ("Champagne Eyes?") was very, very tight and well-played. Have to give serious props to the songs featured Buddy Guy's pupil, particularly the cover of "Don't Leave Me Wonderin'" which they absolutely nailed. That guy had the lead part down-pat. Pretty sure he wasn't even using a slide of any sort, but he was getting some incredible tone. "Mas Y Mas" had some moments of fury, but it was more of an exploratory piece that featured the young dude and didn't necessarily go over the top. The blues jam into "Don't Worry Baby" had that same kind of element but they locked it in tight, there was no rushing it and it came out totally swell.

I think they were able to fit a sizable crowd into The Wilbur, maybe a bit more than the capacity of say a Sinclair or Paradise I suppose, but I would love to see them in a standing-only GA setting. In this manner, we avoid the age-old issue of the "sit down!" cat-calls. Overall an excellent night, and as always, looking forward to the next one. What a great band.

Updated setlist follows, with corrections:


Los Lobos
The Wilbur Theatre
Boston, MA
Wed. March 4, 2015

8:50pm - 10:20pm
La Venganza De Los Pelados
I Walk Alone
Manny's Bones >
Revolution >
Rattlesnake Shake (Fleetwood Mac) >
Maricela
Burn It Down
A Matter of Time
Chuco's Cumbia
Farmer John (The Premiers)
Tears of God
Why Do You Do
Kiko and the Lavender Moon
How much Can I Do? #
Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio (Santiago Jiménez) #
Volver, Volver (Fernando Z. Maldonado ) #
Don't Leave Me Wonderin' (Allman Brothers) @
Mas Y Mas @

Encore, 10:25pm - 10:35pm
Blues Jam > *
Don't Worry Baby *

# Louie on Drums
@ Louie sits out; features Quinn Sullivan, guitar
* full band feat. Quinn Sullivan, guitar