Elvis Costello & The Imposters - AMAZING performance - 50 minutes - went from 7:30- 8:20 pm - very high energy, high level of musicality - Once again, Sting came out with his hat on, and sang a duet w/ Elvis on "Alison" ... great harmonies and chorus together. Unfortunately, I didn't really get to totally enjoy Elvis' set this time, as compared to Orlando, because we spent the first 25 min. trying to get into the amphitheatre, rent lawn chairs, and trying to find suitable seat locations
This was my 7th Elvis show, and the first one where he performed outdoors. While the accoustics were not great, they were fine for most of the songs selected. Getting to hear him singing a duet with Sting was sweet, and provided new twists on the old chestnut, Alison. As it were, most of the crowd listened with half an ear to him. I liked the way he mixed the old and new stuff, considering that the majority of people didn't know the difference, and maythen choose to go out and buy a record. But, like every other show I have attended, Elvis left me wanting more. Just one more, just a little ditty with him singing a phrase in a new way...just have to wait until the next show...
Police/Elvis - His aim is true: This got cut out of my review that ran Sunday night, but my favorite part of the Elvis Costello and the Imposters' opening set at the Police show, other than the stirring, grooving "Every Day I Write The Book," was "Alison." Elvis started strumming and singing, as a guy in a crushed beach hat, hermit stubble and yoga-toned biceps strode out and started doing the harmony.
"Is that Sting?" somebody behind me asked. Oh, yeah, it was! And for the next three minutes, he and Elvis traded off lyrics of the most emotionally tortured and possibly sinister nature. It makes sense - Sting himself sold a stalking song so well that people dedicate it to each other at their weddings, so I'm not surprised that he and Elvis could make a creepy song like "Alison" sound sweet. I love it. But y'all know it's creepy.
I said woefully little (!!!- J.F.) about Elvis Costello. I neglected to mention that Sting walked on to lend his voice to Costello's Alison, and that Costello played a rocked-up, guitar-powered set with his band, the Impostors.
Pump It Up, Radio Radio, Watching the Detectives, Alison (with Sting), Uncomplicated and (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding were in there. From the new album Momo Fuku, he played tracks including Flutter and Wow and Turpentine. I think he played at least two or three others, but I don't know that album well (yet), so I wasn't sure. Could someone please post a complete EC set list in the comments section for that evening, Saturday, May 17, at Cruzan Amphitheatre? Thank you in advance.
