Elvis Costello Fan Forum

And No Coffee Table wrote:The 1982 Nashville show had more songs but was a relatively modest 2 hours and 16 minutes.

44 songs.

Cocaine is a helluva drug...

The 2005 Imposters w/ Emmylou Harris shows were quite long, as I recall.
And, yeah -- the Almost Blue show in Nashville in January 1982 was 40+ songs, I believe.

As always with such songs, the question arises of whether it's more about the narrator's psyche than the figures being described or addressed. In the end, though, I'm not certain that there's all that much to discuss. It seems to me a fairly straight-ahead rant, its basic dynamics having entered th...

He was playing this song live as far back as 1984 - I saw him do it at one of his first solo shows in Harrogate. he did at one of my 1984 shows too...RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL i think. but, wasn't it a bit slower? got to dig out the boot! He played it that entire tour (Aug/Sept. 1984) -- including his ...

I'm actually fairly surprised that Alison is number 2.

While I haven't heard it in ages, didn't Robert Wyatt's version contain a rather exaggerated "ah-sk"? That's the way I recall it, anyway. Yes. Not too exaggerated here: A bit less than I had remembered it as, certainly. Still -- I get the sense that Elvis's emphasis might be a nod to Wyat...

Very subtle point here, but the way he pronounces the word "ask" in Shipbuilding has changed from a rather nice British sounding "ah-sk" to the more annoying American version. While I haven't heard it in ages, didn't Robert Wyatt's version contain a rather exaggerated "ah-s...

I have always considered the studio version of CCIU #4 to be a wonderous, magical thing.
And I hereby vow to go to my grave with that sentiment.


Contrarians will, in time, have to make amends.

9RLcPXPLshE Couldn't Call It Unexpected No. 4 I saw a girl who'd found her consolation She said, "One day my Prince of Peace will come" Above her head a portrait of her father The wilted favour that he gave her still fastened to the frame "They've got his bones and everything he owns...

docinwestchester wrote:He used Charm School a lot.

My favorite of the incidentals.

What an incredible release.
The B-side must have been a real hoot to hear for the first time, in this context.

Thank you for this. It is greatly appreciated.

I had the audio for this many years back, but never actually viewed it.
It's a remarkable document.

johnfoyle wrote:

That's a US import, I assume?
There's no equivalent UK version -- correct?

I guess so - I didn't get a close enough look. It was high on a shelf behind the counter.

Yeah -- you should probably keep your distance from that thing.

johnfoyle wrote:Tower Records, Dublin has the first copy of the deluxe 'Spinning box set I've seen. Costing €269.99 (c.US$356.00), I asked the assistant to hold it....if she gave it to me I might have done a runner!

That's a US import, I assume?
There's no equivalent UK version -- correct?

Great man.
Tremendous musician.

This is a dark day.

watercamp wrote:Another great find in another Montreal used cd shop:
"An Overview Disc" 1995 Rykodisk promo cd mint for $6.00

That's a great interview.

Also:

Chelsea wasn't "impromptu", per se.
It was a rigged Napoleon spin.

docinwestchester wrote:If only we had a west coast taper....

MOJO wrote:...Human Hands (he played this, I'm sure of it)...

I concur.

Well, this one was nice because it was full band.
EC can do any old song with an acoustic -- but this had some bite to it.

I'm no huge DeadHead or anything, but I really liked this one.

bronxapostle wrote:i wonder if RAMBLE ON ROSE was just a "San Francisco treat" for the Grateful Dead crowd or if it will stick around.

If I had to guess, I would say the latter.
It seemed like it had been worked on a bit.
Maybe not.

But it was really good.

bronxapostle wrote:i agree 100% with Dr. Luther here...

What the hell is wrong with you?
(This rarely happens. Ask my wife...)

He'd never be able to handle not doing studio work.
It's part of the package.

He is, first and foremost, a songwriter.
And, for the most part, the studio is where that process is most fully realized.

Bottom line: it's the melodies.
His melodic composition is unequaled in my lifetime.

Wow.
Ross's handwriting is very silmilar to Dec's.