Austin City Limits Season 36 Episode 4 Alejandro Escovedo / Trombone Shorty

Austin City Limits is a long-running music program that has been dedicated to showcasing some of the best live music performances. Season 36 Episode 4 features two exceptional music talents - Alejandro Escovedo and Trombone Shorty - who are well-known for their distinctive styles, with Escovedo incorporating rock, punk, and folk elements into his sound, and Trombone Shorty fusing jazz with funk.

On this episode, Escovedo and his band take the stage first, opening with "Always a Friend" from his Real Animal album. Escovedo's honest, poetic lyrics and powerful guitar riffs immediately captivate the audience, setting the tone for the rest of the concert. Throughout the set, Escovedo showcases his versatility as a songwriter and performer, mixing rock, country, and soulful ballads to great effect and leaving the crowd energized and moved.

In the middle of the show, Escovedo also pays tribute to his friend and fellow musician Lou Reed with a poignant cover of "Pale Blue Eyes". The song's stripped-down arrangement and Escovedo's soulful vocals beautifully capture the melancholic spirit of the Havelina's frontman's work, and the audience responds with rapturous applause.

Following Escovedo's set, Trombone Shorty and his band The Orleans Avenue take the stage in a blaze of brass and funk. The New Orleans native, born Troy Andrews, is a true virtuoso on the trombone, and his dynamic stage presence and infectious energy are on full display throughout the performance. Trombone Shorty's setlist spans the gamut from traditional jazz to contemporary R&B, with highlights including the rollicking "Hurricane Season" and the sultry "Do to Me".

One of the standout moments of the show is Trombone Shorty's cover of the Ohio Players' classic "Love Rollercoaster", which features a sizzling brass arrangement and an extended trombone solo that leaves the crowd cheering. Another highlight is Trombone Shorty's medley of "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" and "Ain't No Use", which showcases the band's tight musicianship and irresistible groove.

Throughout the concert, both Escovedo and Trombone Shorty demonstrate not only their exceptional musical talents but also their deep connections to their musical roots and their communities. Escovedo, who hails from a family of Mexican-American musicians, pays tribute to his cultural heritage with Spanish-language songs like "Castanets" and "Sabor a Mi" and offers heartfelt commentary on the importance of immigrant rights and social justice. Trombone Shorty, meanwhile, brings the spirit of his hometown to the ACL stage, blending traditional New Orleans jazz with modern sounds and rhythms and speaking passionately about the role of music in healing and unifying communities.

Overall, Austin City Limits season 36 episode 4 is a stunning showcase of two remarkable musicians at the top of their game, exhibiting both their virtuosity and their heart. Fans of eclectic and energetic live music are sure to be thrilled by this episode, which captures the magic of two live performers doing what they do best.