Elvis Costello Fan Forum

Wow, that really is a rotten slot! Who the hell's going to be watching at that time on a Monday night. I was hoping for a Fri, Sat or Sunday night slot for our Elv. Fri or Sat night at 11.30pm when people get home from the pub, or 9pm on Sunday before the feature film. Aw well - obscurity remains, t...

So has anyone found out anything more about the Channel Four screenings of Spectacle? I've looked at the new Radio Times and there's diddly squat about it - and that goes up to Dec 5.

Aha - it only crashes Firefox! Hmm - looking okay. Hope the shows can sustain a whole hour!

The video on the Sundance site crashes my brower! How's this stuff lookin'? Any good?

Yep, that's a real disappointment! Maybe it ain't all that good. I would've thought it was terrestrial Channel Four. Aw well - bang goes my dream of Elvis finally breaking through to millions of people who haven't got a clue who he is!

Gah, the gum-chewing habit. If he thinks it looks tough, along with the shades and hats, he's wrong. He looks great for his age - never looked better in fact. He doesn't need props to prove anything to the youngsters. Don't get me wrong - he's my musical idol, I'm not slagging him off. It's just tha...

Well noted, that person! I've seen Elvis being stroppy with this road-crew and guitar people before - I swear I saw him shove a roadie once, quite agressively, as he handed over a guitar. Not good - just because he's a great artist doesn't give him the right to push people around. Also agree about h...

That's a great title. Memorable - I'm hoping this is the smash Elvis deserves - but obviously not putting any money on it!

So is that the whole series recorded, now?

Tony Bennett
Elton John
The Police
Bill Clinton
Herbie Hancock
Smokey Robinson
Lou Reed
Jenny Lewis etc
Kris Kristofferson etc
Rufus Wainwright etc

Have I missed any?

Thanks for this John. Clearly they've decided the one guest per show is stretching it. Or maybe they'll intersperse multi-guest eps with 'specials' featuring one artist.

For those who are going to the tapings - do tell all when you get back! V interested to hear how it's going.

Gah! I'd love to do this but as I work for the BBC I'm ineligible! Good luck, whoever does it! Keep us updated as to TX times. Don't tell us the questions as I want to be challenged on the day.

Hmmm - presumably this is a re-taping of the previous episode. Maybe it didn't quite work out okay the first time? Hmmm. Hope it's all going okay. Was anyone at the first Elton? Did it seem as though it needed extra footage?

Hi Taramasalata, It just bugs me that so many shite, boring artists have songs that the whole world knows, yet Elvis has virtually none. Some of the world knows 'She' cos of Notting Hill - not a proper Elvis song, and a one of his worst recordings, really. The UK population born before about 1990 kn...

I just hope he takes this chance to reach out to a much bigger audience, and doesn't put them off with any stroppiness. It pains me that his amazing, thrilling, heartbreaking, startling etc. songs are not more widely known, and I have everything crossed for this next six months as being the one wher...

Hi all, With the new TV show coming out this autumn/winter, Elvis is going to get exposure he hasn't had in a long time. I'm hoping he releases the T-Bone Burnett album at the same time, in time for the Christmas market - that it will sell in the same kind of way the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss 'elde...

Blimey, I'm staggered you don't like ANYTHING off Blood and Chocolate! It's the one I always recommend as the first Elvis album anyone should buy, as it has all the attitude and attack, allied with really strong, often poppy melodies and dark humour. If you hate the more agressive sounding stuff, th...

Hi Blooch,

It's gonna be on Channel 4 in November, I believe. They've already recorded three or four shows (Bill Clinton, Lou Reed, Elton John, Tony Bennett). He's doing the rest later this year.

N

So, what do we reckon are the most likely songs to surface on this album?

And is it gonna be a Coward Brothers album or an Elvis Costello album?

I'm really hoping this will be the one that gets Elvis back into the charts again. If it's released at the same time as his TV series airs this autumn, I think the TV prog's high profile will rekindle interest in Elvis - and I think the acoustic nature of the album is a good way in for non fans! I r...

Mine finally arrived yesterday and I listened with headphones in bed when I got home - from the pub! Okay, not ideal - but here goes! First listen, I was disappointed, but I then I always am after my first spin of an Elvis album: Get Happy!!! and Blood & Chocolate, my two favourites, I hated the...

My copy still hasn't arrived yet! Gah! John Foyle, supreme Costello archivist, what's your take on the new album? Don't think I've seen your review here yet!

Have to say I think sideburns are a mistake for Elvis. Hope he smartens up for the TV shows in autumn. Those are crucial to the next stage of his career and he's gotta look smart!

Wow, too hard to say. Chelsea is a classic opening, and kinda makes you think it's gonna go into the horn section from Hawaii Five-O! But practically any track you care to mention will have something special. I too have a fondness for that drum fill in Home Is Anywhere... - something about it that r...

Mind you, John, Elvis has had a pretty good stab at motoring gags before - in "Five Gears In Reverse" If you patience is exhausted and you still cannot decide You're sitting in the garage contemplating suicide (exhaust pipe method of killing yourself) And you have no motor vation, you can'...