WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe ®

Listen Xpo

24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

Singer Songwriter Radio

Featuring classics from heritage troubadours to new musicians and bands in the singer-songwriter tradition.

Folk Radio

Folk music radio streaming on the web; Americana, Roots Music, recordings, and stories from folk's best.
Listen Live

Alejandro Escovedo - Big Station - Fantasy/Concord

An enduring rock n roller since the mid-70s Alejandro Escovedo may not be a household name to many, but the continued reverence for his music is no surprise. Big Station, his latest album, is another prime example of artistic vision and the relentless pursuit of challenging one’s own musical aspirations. For Escovedo, at this point in his career, making the same album over and over is a trap that some of his contemporaries have fallen into, but for Alejandro it’s a path that he won’t concede to take. Big Station is the proof of that.


Al also proves that getting older is really just a state of mind, because Big Station provides vibrancy and fun that you only really expect from wide-eyed, up-and-comers. Many have already paralleled the songs of Big Station and its overall vibe to Escovedo’s early punk-rock roots. And, that’s fair to say. From the freewheeling guitar riffs of the lead-off rocker “Man of the World” and feel good, jangly “Party People” Big Station is as spirited as we’ve heard Escovedo is years. Where his last album, Street Songs of Love, was admittedly more of a personal collection of songs, Big Station is a bit more adventurous and quite simply rocks a little more!

Once again on Big Station, Escovedo is working with a lot of the same folks. Friend and fellow songwriter Chuck Prophet is a big part of the creative process on Big Station. And producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie) has filled out the hat-trick working with Escovedo for the third straight record. And while the people in the room may be the same, the results are a solid step forward. Perhaps a great testament to the relationship they have with one another, and the wonderful vision Escovedo see’s for his own music.

Another Way To Support WXPN

Pick up Big Station. Your purchase that starts here supports WXPN Public Radio.

Secret Colours playing Kung Fu Necktie tomorrow night (Sunday 5/26)

Photo by Lenny Gilmore If you’re a fan of 60′s psychedelia and Brit-pop you don’t want to miss the Chicago band...Read More

Tonight’s Concert Picks: Sundrop Music Festival at The Fire, The Thermals at Union Transfer

Back for its third year, the Sundrop Music and Arts Festival is happening at The Fire this weekend.  Juston Stens & The Get Real...Read More

Watch Trampled By Turtles’ new video for “Midnight on the Interstate” (playing XPoNential Music Festival in...

Trampled By Turtles, who are playing the XPoNential Music Festival July 26-28 at Wiggins Park, recently debuted a new video for...Read More

Caravan Music Festival announces its 2013 dates / lineup, and it’s massive

The fourth annual Caravan Music Festival will once again bring a boatload of Philadelphia bands to the woods of Maine of a three day...Read More