Went to City Winery last night to check out Lucy Wainwright Roche’s album release party for ‘Lucy’ and found a family reunion happening on stage, as guests Suzzy Roche, Maggie Roches, Terry Roche, Loudon Wainwright III, and feted her. The true star of the night was Lucy’s voice, which was beautiful! Also joining her on stage was surprise guest Ira Glass, who also appears on the new album. Spotted in the crowd was Dick Connette, who won a GRAMMY as producer of Loudon’s 2009 album ‘High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project.’

Lucy seemed to have a ton of family and friends in the audience and it made some warm, often hysterical banter (my favorite line was when she joked that she couldn’t get her therapist to come to the show). Congrats, Lucy!

at the risk of being a 1 trick blogger, some pretty rad stuff has happened outside my window lately, such as this ginormous rainbow. it appeared, lingered for about 3 minutes, and was gone.

Well, not quite the top. We’re on the 16th floor here and there are some great views to be had. But the view I have out of my office was nothing compared to a maintenance working who ascended outside my window. I’m not particularly afraid of heights, but i don’t think i could do his job!

Had the pleasure of attending the John Varvatos / Moonshine launch party with Alejandro Escovedo at the Varvatos store on Bowery, which you’d know better as the site of CBGB’s. Alejandro played a raucous set of rock & roll, on a bill alongside Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, Cherie Currie, Wayne Kramer with Handsome Dick Manitoba, and Perry Farrell. Alejandro also joined Ian Hunter during his version of “All The Young Dudes”:

Jimmy Kimmel introduced Alejandro to the crowd. Here they are chatting about the coincidence that Kimmel’s house band leader is Cleto Escovedo, also from the San Antonio area:

Here’s Alejandro with the man of the hour, John Varvatos:

Naturally, the party begged the question of whether it’s always fashion week for NYC, or for Alejandro for that matter; he always looks incredibly stylish.

More good pics over at Brooklyn Vegan.

Alejandro Escovedo displayed force, grace, humanity, and triumph on the bandstand at City Winery last night (and over WFUV’s airwaves). I had a couple of favorite moments: new song “Faith” was particularly anthemic, “Tender Heart” rocked to the core, and his duet with Ian Hunter on Mott the Hoople’s “I Wish I Was Your Mother” during the encore was amazing! Here’s Alejandro with Ian: