Altoona Mirror, December 23, 1997: Difference between revisions
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At age 42, Costello finds himself at something of a career crossroads. He’s broken up his longtime backup band for the second time, released a compilation disc that’s essentially a "divorce settlement" from his record label and is about to sign a new deal to distribute his music for the next several years. | At age 42, Costello finds himself at something of a career crossroads. He’s broken up his longtime backup band for the second time, released a compilation disc that’s essentially a "divorce settlement" from his record label and is about to sign a new deal to distribute his music for the next several years. | ||
The disc ''Extreme Honey'' is an overview of his decade recording for Warner Bros. Records. It includes one hit " | The disc ''Extreme Honey'' is an overview of his decade recording for Warner Bros. Records. It includes one hit "Veronica," several over-looked songs and one new one "The Bridge I Burned," which offers up Costello’s son, Matt MacManus, on bass. | ||
"I have absolutely no complaint with the musical freedom I’ve been allowed over the past eight or nine years," Costello said. "I think I’ve exploited it in my own way, sometimes to the detriment of commercial logic. But the shoddy treatment I’ve had over the last two or three years had to end. | "I have absolutely no complaint with the musical freedom I’ve been allowed over the past eight or nine years," Costello said. "I think I’ve exploited it in my own way, sometimes to the detriment of commercial logic. But the shoddy treatment I’ve had over the last two or three years had to end. | ||
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Don’t discount, however, company resentment at Costello’s own wobbly output. A classical album and collection of obscure cover tunes are not the easiest things to sell in today’s marketplace. | Don’t discount, however, company resentment at Costello’s own wobbly output. A classical album and collection of obscure cover tunes are not the easiest things to sell in today’s marketplace. | ||
Costello’s anger reached such proportions that, in a devilishly twisted move, he commissioned musicians like | Costello’s anger reached such proportions that, in a devilishly twisted move, he commissioned musicians like Tricky, Lush and Sleeper to "deface" some of his songs from his "''All This Useless Beauty''" album with their own versions. | ||
His vision of a musical form of graffiti ultimately backfired because the artists were too "nice" to the songs, he said. And Warners never released the new versions domestically anyway. | His vision of a musical form of graffiti ultimately backfired because the artists were too "nice" to the songs, he said. And Warners never released the new versions domestically anyway. | ||
Costello chooses his latest album’s liner notes to announce the final dissolution of his backup band, | Costello chooses his latest album’s liner notes to announce the final dissolution of his backup band, the Attractions. In their prime, keyboard player Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas rivalled the E Street Band and the Heartbreakers as rock’s most cohesive backup unit. | ||
But since their former leader referred to them in an interview as "that sorry carcass," don’t expect another reunion tour soon. | But since their former leader referred to them in an interview as "that sorry carcass," don’t expect another reunion tour soon. | ||
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He’s committed to continue working with Nieve, and is booked for a second tour as a duo with his keyboardist. | He’s committed to continue working with Nieve, and is booked for a second tour as a duo with his keyboardist. | ||
With other commitments to Bacharach, the classical | With other commitments to Bacharach, the classical Brodsky Quartet and a rock soundtrack song for a Coen brothers’ film, he intends to make the most of his freedom. | ||
Costello’s stylistic wanderings stern from a voracious musical appetite that began almost before he could talk. The son of a dance band singer from Liverpool who constantly brought test pressings of popular music Into the home. he was told one of his first words was "skin" — a request to hear Cole Porter’s "I’ve Got You Under My Skin." | Costello’s stylistic wanderings stern from a voracious musical appetite that began almost before he could talk. The son of a dance band singer from Liverpool who constantly brought test pressings of popular music Into the home. he was told one of his first words was "skin" — a request to hear Cole Porter’s "I’ve Got You Under My Skin." | ||
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A sack of new CDs is a constant companion on the road; two of his recent favorites are the Verve and Bob Dylan. | A sack of new CDs is a constant companion on the road; two of his recent favorites are the Verve and Bob Dylan. | ||
His first album under his new deal Is likely to be a full-length collaboration with Bacharach. The two wrote " | His first album under his new deal Is likely to be a full-length collaboration with Bacharach. The two wrote "God Give Me Strength" by long-distance, using the telephone and faxing each other; they worked face-to-face on the new songs. | ||
"We’ve really gotten along quite well, given that there are a lot of years between us," Costello said. "I think that he is quite misread by people as being Mr. Affable or easy listening. That’s a complete misreading of his music. I think his music is very erotic, completely sensual and very dark at times." | "We’ve really gotten along quite well, given that there are a lot of years between us," Costello said. "I think that he is quite misread by people as being Mr. Affable or easy listening. That’s a complete misreading of his music. I think his music is very erotic, completely sensual and very dark at times." | ||
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{{Bibliography notes}} | {{Bibliography notes}} | ||
{{Bibliography next | |||
|prev = Altoona Mirror, March 20, 1994 | |||
|next = :Category:Altoona Mirror | |||
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'''Altoona Mirror, December 23, 1997 | '''Altoona Mirror, December 23, 1997 | ||
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{{Bibliography images}} | {{Bibliography images}} | ||
[[image:1997-12-23 Altoona Mirror clipping 01.jpg| | [[image:1997-12-23 Altoona Mirror clipping 01.jpg|380px]] | ||
<br><small>Clipping.</small> | <br><small>Clipping.</small> | ||
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<small>Associated Press photo.</small><br> | |||
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{{Bibliography notes footer}} | {{Bibliography notes footer}} |
Latest revision as of 23:38, 21 January 2023
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