Elvis Costello Thread
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I figured that since I bumped this thread and it's the man's birthday today I'll do a review of 'Taking Liberties'. Taking Liberties It depended on what type of fan you were back in the fall of 1980 when this collection was first released. If you were the hardcore fan you had who collected all the imports and singles, you had a lot of the stuff here. But to the casual fan this was a treasure trove of new material from Elvis and the boys. 1. Clean Money: This outtake from 'Armed Forces' was the b-side to 'Clubland', released not to long after it's inclusion on this collection. The song was meant to be the opener of 'Armed Forces'. It's inclusion was supposed to mirror the White Album's opening track 'Back In The U.S.S.R'. The song itself is more 'punk' than 'new wave' which could have been the reason it was taken of AF. It's later reincarnation 'Love for Tender is much better. 8/10 2. Girls's Talk: Dave Edmunds recorded and released this track before Elvis could get his take on it out, but I prefer Costello's rendition much better than Edmunds'. Dave's is more slick and polished whereas The Attractions's take is much simpler. Even though it clocks in at under 2 minutes, it's still one of my favorites. 9/10 3. Talking In The Dark: The obvious 'Armed Forces' outtake. It's sounds outdated, catchy, but dated. The live piano version that he as been doing for the past few years brings new life to the track. 6/10 4. Radio Sweetheart: The b-side to his first single. Was it any surprise that Elvis turned country? That sweet guitar, and then the handclaps and background singers, pure country heaven. 10/10 5. Black and White World (Demo):Continuing with that acoustic bliss, comes the early demo of the song from 'Get Happy!!'. This early take on the song is not as much fun as the other, but I still love it. With the song slowed down a bit there's a better emphasis on the lyrics. Which is a good thing. 9/10 6. Big Tears: Why the hell this song was left off of 'This Year's Model' is beyond me. Featuring guitar from Mick Jones and lyrics about a sniper in a mall, I don't think it can get much better than that. Another great song. 10/10 7. Just A Memory: I seem to recall that Elvis said this song was written specifically for Dusty Springfield but she didn't record until later, or maybe Elvis had written it for himself, I'm not sure, but it's a beautiful recording only made better by Dusty. This is one of Elvis' first real piano ballad, and he does it beautifully. 9/10 8. Night Rally: Originally on the U.K 'This Years's Model' but taken off the American release along with 'Chelsea' for being to "British", whatever the hell that means. But the song builds suspense to the chorus and then panders for a bit at the end until it's stopped dead... 8/10 9. Stranger In The House: ...and then this song starts immediately. It's brilliant!! It takes two good songs and makes them the highlight of the album. I tell you, good sequencing on an album is sooooo important. The song itself is another country track. Not as good as Radio Sweetheart though. "There's a stranger in the house; nobody's seen his face But everybody says he's taken my place There's a stranger in the house no one will ever see Everybody says he looks like me" Brilliant lyrics. 8/10 10. Clowntime Is Over No. 2: Another reworking of a 'Get Happy!!' track, but this one is head over heals better than the previous recording. The ballad approach and the organ playing by Steve Nieve is great and compliments the lyrics much better than No. 1. 10/10 11. Getting Mighty Crowded: This cover could have easily replaced 'I Can't Stand Up For Falling For Down', it's not any better but it's a cover and in the same vain as the other. Fun, but nothing special 7/10 12. Hoover Factory: Perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect. Did I mention perfect? The love for this building that Elvis passed by everyday on his way to work and the way he put he put it to song is only matched by 'Waterloo Sunset'. I'm pretty sure Elvis loved this building more than any of the girl's in his earlier songs! "talking 'bout the splendor of the Hoover Factory/I know that you'd agree if you had seen it too." Sorry if this seems too Elvis fanboyish but, 11/10 13. Tiny Steps: Perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect. Another perfect song. I've alway interpreted the lyrics to be about celebrity and or feminist who gets pregnant and has to keep the baby. But Elvis has said it to be about a living doll attacking it's owner. I like my interpreation better, even though I love the 'Twilight Zone' The verse builds up softly then, dun-dun-da, "Tiny Steps...". Another great song11/10 14. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea: Great song, some nice guitar work, a terrific baseline and great drumming! Nothing wrong here. 10/10 15. Dr. Luther's Assistant: This 'Get Happy!!' outtake sounds like a 'Magical Mystery Tour' outtake, the whole song vaguely reminds me of 'Fool On The Hill' It's a fine song, though Elvis' voice is nasally and a bit annoying. 7/10 16. Sunday's Best: I appreciate this song much more now then when I first heard it and rated it a few months ago. The lyrics are supposed to read like a newspaper, which is hilarious at times. The song's kinda like an episode of 'The Colbert Report'. 8/10 17. Crawling To The U.S.A: 'Frantic' is the one word to describe the song. Just like the rest of 'This Year's Model'. But it was shockingly recorded during the 'Armed Forces' sessions. I imagine this song applies to every English band looking to break it big over here in the States. 9/10 18. Wednesday Week: Two parts: hopped up Attractions rock, and then 'Wings' rock. To me this song is about a one-night stand. The first part equalling the crazed night, then the second half, the 'Wings' soft rock representing the morning, the realization that it was just a one-night stand. "do you say those words to everyone?" Brilliant. 10/10 19. My Funny Valentine: And the first foray into jazz. Not sure how a jazz enthusiast would rate this cover, but I like it. I must also note that the transition from WW to this song is great. The 'ooohhhs' at the end of 'Week' sets up 'Valentine' perfectly 8/10 20. Ghost Train: The grand finale. Great track. The protagonists in the story seem like a precursor to Jimmie, from 'Jimmie Standing In The Rain'. 10/10 I think it's amazing that Elvis was able to take 20 unrelated songs and sequence them perfectly. Also amazing that most of these didn't even make the final cut on their respective albums. 10/10 And once again Happy Birthday!!
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He is back in the Uk next year
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Very happy this morning got my tickets for the Phil in Liverpool next summer for the great man,after all these years taken me far too long to see him.
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hengirl:
Very happy this morning got my tickets for the Phil in Liverpool next summer for the great man,after all these years taken me far too long to see him.
You will love it a great show and in his home town
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Haven't found any decent enough tickets for his UK tour next year yet. RAH's website seems to drop seats every now and then. Might get some tix closer to the time for a better seat. He's actually coming to play at a theatre quite local to me, but for some reason the tickets are more expensive than RAH and it's the last date of the tour. Apparently he loses his voice often during tours and stuff?
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FrankieJ:
Haven't found any decent enough tickets for his UK tour next year yet. RAH's website seems to drop seats every now and then. Might get some tix closer to the time for a better seat. He's actually coming to play at a theatre quite local to me, but for some reason the tickets are more expensive than RAH and it's the last date of the tour. Apparently he loses his voice often during tours and stuff?
He's lost his voice towards the end of the last few tours, this last leg of The Revolver Show he had to cancel one show. But his voice sounded great in the show after that. I don't think you should let the possiblilty of a croaky voice stop you from going. If his voice is rough that night, I would suspect him to stay away from the harder songs.
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AbbeyRoadCrosser:
FrankieJ:
Haven't found any decent enough tickets for his UK tour next year yet. RAH's website seems to drop seats every now and then. Might get some tix closer to the time for a better seat. He's actually coming to play at a theatre quite local to me, but for some reason the tickets are more expensive than RAH and it's the last date of the tour. Apparently he loses his voice often during tours and stuff?
He's lost his voice towards the end of the last few tours, this last leg of The Revolver Show he had to cancel one show. But his voice sounded great in the show after that. I don't think you should let the possiblilty of a croaky voice stop you from going. If his voice is rough that night, I would suspect him to stay away from the harder songs.
I'll see how it goes. RAH is a nicer venue and the tickets are cheaper. It just means traveling a little longer. Though going to the other place would be more convenient... I wouldn't want to risk letting the whole tour go past only to find out that last date is cancelled... it would mean I can't even buy a ticket for another date. Missing Elvis would suck. When I saw him at RAH in May (my first time, as you know) I bloody loved it!!
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So how do they go about getting people up on stage? Really cant wait for this hehe.
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hengirl:
So how do they go about getting people up on stage? Really cant wait for this hehe.
He just goes out down the aisles and picks someone. Or sometimes when he is occupied one of his assistants might grab someone. Just because someone isn't at front row doesn't matter. He didn't even pick anyone from the front row when I saw him. Why? Do you want to be picked? You'll get to hold his hand, spin the wheel, have a cocktail and dance in the cage. Hahaha. I'd be waaaaay too shy to do that.
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One of my favorites: Elvis Costello - Deep Dark Truthful Mirror - MTV Unplugged:
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FrankieJ:
hengirl:
So how do they go about getting people up on stage? Really cant wait for this hehe.
He just goes out down the aisles and picks someone. Or sometimes when he is occupied one of his assistants might grab someone. Just because someone isn't at front row doesn't matter. He didn't even pick anyone from the front row when I saw him. Why? Do you want to be picked? You'll get to hold his hand, spin the wheel, have a cocktail and dance in the cage. Hahaha. I'd be waaaaay too shy to do that.
Oh dear god no i don't want to be picked,lol,but we're about 6 rows from the front and on the aisle seat so i suspect i pop my hasband into the aisle seat and leave me safe
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hengirl:
FrankieJ:
hengirl:
So how do they go about getting people up on stage? Really cant wait for this hehe.
He just goes out down the aisles and picks someone. Or sometimes when he is occupied one of his assistants might grab someone. Just because someone isn't at front row doesn't matter. He didn't even pick anyone from the front row when I saw him. Why? Do you want to be picked? You'll get to hold his hand, spin the wheel, have a cocktail and dance in the cage. Hahaha. I'd be waaaaay too shy to do that.
Oh dear god no i don't want to be picked,lol,but we're about 6 rows from the front and on the aisle seat so i suspect i pop my hasband into the aisle seat and leave me safe
You're still not safe.
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FrankieJ:
hengirl:
FrankieJ:
hengirl:
So how do they go about getting people up on stage? Really cant wait for this hehe.
He just goes out down the aisles and picks someone. Or sometimes when he is occupied one of his assistants might grab someone. Just because someone isn't at front row doesn't matter. He didn't even pick anyone from the front row when I saw him. Why? Do you want to be picked? You'll get to hold his hand, spin the wheel, have a cocktail and dance in the cage. Hahaha. I'd be waaaaay too shy to do that.
Oh dear god no i don't want to be picked,lol,but we're about 6 rows from the front and on the aisle seat so i suspect i pop my hasband into the aisle seat and leave me safe
You're still not safe.
LOL,i have that feeling
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I went mad and got tickets for both nights at RAH. Heheheh. I kind of wish gigs like this were at the weekend and not during the week.
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Don't blame ya. Concerts are one of the finest things in life.
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On tv last night I was watching a repeat of the now canceled Cold Case. The episode focused on a missing kid who starts off as sort of a punk rocker and joins some sort of cult. At the end of the show they played What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding. Kind of cool to see even though I think that song came out in 1980 and the actualy episode was set in 1978. Although a small gripe to be sure.
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I've recently got into Elvis Costello, man he's so cool isn't he. I have to admit to having a few of his more obvious songs (Alison, Pump It Up, Radio Radio and some of his stuff he did with Paul of course) on my ipod but i've started properly listening to him now and for the most part it is just fantastic! These are currently the songs i'm into the most at the moment through skimming through greatest hits, youtube and some early albums which i've heard praised to death. Alison (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes Watching the Detectives (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea Pump It Up Radio Radio (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding Oliver's Army Accidents Will Happen I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down High Fidelity New Amsterdam Clubland Watch Your Step A Good Year For The Roses Beyond Belief Man Out Of Time Shipbuilding (and from the later stuff I know and love) Veronica God Give Me Strength She A Slow Drag With Josephine
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^^^ Hello, fellow Kentian. I'd add Everyday I Write The Book, American Without Tears, Little Palaces and Brilliant Mistake to that. He's coming to the Royal Albert Hall again in June. You should go. I am. He is amazing live.
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Hello FrankieJ, what part of Kent are you from? I'm from Bromley myself. Anyway funnily enough I was thinking about seeing Elvis live, is he still doing that Spinning songbook thing? Also I forgot to add Brilliant Mistake, Every I Write The Book and I Want You to my list, i'll check those other two songs out.
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MaccaBeatles:
Hello FrankieJ, what part of Kent are you from? I'm from Bromley myself. Anyway funnily enough I was thinking about seeing Elvis live, is he still doing that Spinning songbook thing? Also I forgot to add Brilliant Mistake and I Want You to my list, i'll check those other two songs out.
Awesome. I'm on the Isle of Sheppey. Yes. The Revolver tour thingy he will be doing at RAH in June. I saw it there this year and he blew me away. The spinning songbook thing is such a great idea. Sometimes he has special guests, too. When I saw him Russell Crowe came out and sang. It was surreal stuff.