Calexico‘s 20th Anniversary Edition of Feast of Wire is out now on City Slang, available as a one-time 3LP vinyl pressing, expanded 2CD, and digital (Picadilly Records | Rough Trade | Resident).
Feast of Wire was something of a landmark album for Calexico; as Joey Burns says in the video below, it was a departure from their previous work, with more time being taken in the album’s making and in defining their sound. It’s still one of my favourite albums, and it hasn’t lost any of its charm over the last 20 years. Pitchfork called it “the album we always knew they had in them but feared they would never make.”
We got to hear Joey Burns‘ vocals more on this release, and there are plenty of prime moments, such as ‘Quattro (World Drifts In)‘, ‘Not Even Stevie Nicks‘ and the unforgettable ‘Black Heart’, the longest track, with an opening that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Portishead’s Glory Box. There are some very original instrumental moments throughout, including Attack el Robot! Attack!, conjuring up a Mexican noir sci-fi movie soundtrack complete with squelchy radio signals and Jacob Valenzuela‘s jazz trumpet – once described as the Miles Davis of mariachi. Many of the tracks still spark goosebump recognition – Across the Wire (Widescreen) and Close Behind, the latter starting out with Paul Niehaus’s (Silver Jews, Lambchop) achingly beautiful pedal steel before shifting into a mariachi/Morricone spaghetti western.
In a recent mailout, Joey Burns and John Convertino recalled the touring experience, one of their biggest ever:
Joey:
We played Austin SXSW quite a few times over the years. I’ll never forget seeing Johnny Cash walk out of Emo’s onto the street in 1994. His presence was massive. The true definition of larger than life. I wanted to say hello, but it wasn’t the time or place. Fast-forward to September 12, 2003, and Calexico is setting up for an outdoor concert at the Tucson Museum of Art, and we hear the news of Cash passing away. I asked members of Mariachi Luz de Luna who were on the bill with us to join us for a version of “Ring of Fire”. It was an incredible version and reminded me of why I love touring so much. I love those spontaneous songs and collaborations on tour. It’s a big part of why I love traveling and playing music. It opens you up and introduces to so many people and experiences.
John:
It was one of our busiest touring years ever, as we crisscrossed the U.S., Europe and UK.
The Frames were on tour with us for a large part of the U.S. and Canadian tour in 2003. By the time we reached Seattle on that run, I could barely speak, let alone sing. I asked The Frames for any Irish remedies, and Glen Hansard gave me a homemade concoction of black syrup to soothe the throat, and Colm Mac Con lomaire gave me a small polished stone of Blue Lace Agate to hold on to for a few days. Well, it worked. I got through the video session early the next morning and was able to finish the tour.
Here they are playing “Black Heart” from that session, filmed for Vancouver’s Zed TV.
As an insight into the album’s creation, the band have also digitized the original VHS Electronic Press Kit from 2003.
The final LP (at 33rpm) in this Anniversary edition features Live at China Theatre Stockholm — 10 tracks recorded live in Sweden on the 2004 Feast of Wire European tour, which is now also streaming for the first time. The Spotify and Apple Music embeds are below.
Calexico have added additional Feast of Wire tour dates in Spain, 11-15 October. Along with this announcement, they have also announced that their very own Brian Lopez will be joining them on nearly all Feast of Wire shows.
Calexico are playing Black Deer Festival on 16th June before returning to the UK and Ireland in November.
Nov 01 Bexhill On Sea, De La Warr Pavilion
Nov 02 Camden, Electric Ballroom
Nov 03 Sunderland, The Fire Station
Nov 04 Manchester, New Century Hall
Nov 05 Dublin, The Helix
You can find all dates and links to the remaining tickets here: casadecalexico.com.