The Beatles – I want you

Elvis Costello

When you think of artists who find ways to re-invent themselves to keep producing albums that reflect their changing life and the changing times, few come to mind. Some may think U2 or Madonna, but there is one other who comes to mind, Elvis Costello. With a career spanning over three decades and several genres, Elvis Costello has proved himself as one of the most talented musical artists without losing respect in the process.

Over thirty years ago, a twenty two year old Costello, then Declan Patrick MacManus, walked into Stiff Records and talked his way into a contract. At this moment, music saw the birth of a career that would go on to span several genres, years, and the minds of countless listeners.

Releasing his first three albums in ‘77, ‘78, and ‘79, (My Aim Is True, This Year’s Model, and Armed Forces respectively) Costello filled these legendary albums with songs that are still listened to and actively influence musicians old and young to this day. The themes range from disappointment in love (“Alison”), protest to commercialized radio (“Radio, Radio”), and war (“Oliver’s Army”), to mention a few.

However, Costello’s later releases such as All This Useless Beauty and his latest Momofuku still deliver in new and interesting ways. Whether the songs are all Costello or work with other well accomplished musicians, the foundations of these songs are strong, and all seem to maintain Costello’s lyrical strength.

Whether it is older classics or newer tastes, the work of Elvis Costello seems to make an impact on listeners regardless of when they first heard these classic songs. The emotions and soul that go into these recordings will always be felt as long as music is listened to. Songs such as “I Want You”, “Alison”, and “Shipbuilding” are true masterpieces, and not only show the merits of a talented musician, but also show the complexities of a truly passionate person like Elvis Costello.

¡Lo que no haya intentado Elvis Costello, madre mía! Intentado y conseguido en mi opinión, seamos subjetivos por un rato. Después de experiencias jazzisticas y coqueteos con la música clásica, y tras haber explorado todas las formas de la canción en el pop y rock, hace aquí su tercera colaboración con The Imposters, un disco fresco como una lechuga. Canciones enérgicas que destilan rock defendidas y cantadas como si fuera un adolescente (nacido en el 1954), con algunos momentos de ese pop elegante y maduro del que ha dado buena cuenta en discos como North. Con la compañía de Lucinda Williams, muy rockera en un número y de la elegante y siempre amable Emmylou Harris en tres de los otros cortes, este disco del 2004 (ahora en 2008 acaba de sacar su Momofuku, de nuevo con The Imposters) augura que tendremos Elvis Costello para rato.

Aunque es un tipo que levanta por igual pasiones en unos como es detestado por otros debido a su a veces histriónico estilo, creo que su trayectoria está fuera de tacha, dado que este out-sider excéntrico ha vivido estéticamente al margen de la “corriente mayoritaria”, y son ya unos cuantos discos (empezó su carrera en 1970) los que atesora a sus espaldas.

Creo que este es un buen disco con el que acercarse al imaginario de Declan Patrick MacManus (su verdadero nombre) para los que no lo hayan escuchado antes. Un disco refrescante para el verano, pero no refrescante como un helado en la playa, por cierto.

link a spotify: Elvis Costello & The Attractions – The Delivery Man (estos del espotify también se pinzan a veces, exonérenlos por el momento. ¡Anda que The Attractions!)

“The delivery man” in Ultrasónica

Album der Woche beim Deutschlandradio Kultur ist diese Woche, das am Freitag erscheinende – auf CD, das Vinyl ist bereits erhältlich – neue Album von Elvis Costello: Elvis Costello and the Imposters, “Momofuku”. Elvis C. rockt darauf wieder. DKultur nennt es sogar das erste Highlight des Jahres 2008, was natürlich falsch ist. Elvis C. sagt u. a. zum Albumtitel “Well, obviously the title is a tribute to Momofuku Ando, the inventor of the Cup Noodle. Like so many things in this world of wonders, all we had to do to make this record was add water.” Der Tribut richtet sich dabei wohl weniger an das Wunder der Cup Noodle, wobei Douglas Coupland das wohl betonen würde, sondern Ando-Sans Überzeugung, die Versorgung aller Menschen mit ausreichend Nahrung sei unser aller größte Aufgabe, sinngemäß. Das Originalzitat ist etwas blumiger.

Zumindest der Song “Mr. Feathers” kann schon mal als toll bezeichnet werden. In Fazit am 5.5.08 um 23:05 Uhr auf Deutschlandradio Kultur soll “Momofuku” angeblich fast in Gänze zu hören sein.

The Police with Elvis Costello & The Imposters at PNC and Jones Beach on Sun. & Mon. Aug. 3 and 4th. Pre-sale tickets for Citi Private Pass Program members go on sale this Monday Feb. 18th at 10:00 a.m. Public on sale Sat. Feb. 23 at 10:00 a.m. $50-$225. 4 ticket limit per person. 

Kayne West “Glow in the Dark Tour” with Rihanna, N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco will be The Garden on Tues. May 13. No ticket info as of yet. Keep you posted.

The Zombies at New York Fillmore on Friday July 11. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. $31.50.

Jerry Lee Lewis at the Town Hall on Thurs. Mar. 27. Tickets on sale this morning at 10:00 a.m. $66.50 – $101

Hall & Oates at the Borgota Event Center in Atlantic City on Fri. & Sat. Apr. 18 and 19. Tickets on sale Sat. at 10:00 a.m.

Collective Soul at the Music Box at the Borgata on Sat. Apr. 19. Tickets on sale Sat. at $10:00 a.m. Tickets apx. $62.

Jackson Browne at Music Box at the Borgata on Fri. Mar. 28. Tickets on sale Sat. at $10:00 a.m.

Bob Weir & Rat Dog at the Beacon on Thurs., Fri. & Sat. Apr. 3, 4 & 5th. Tickets on sale Saturday at 10:00 a.m. $39.50-$49.50

Other items:

Radiohead has confirmed their first leg of the U.S. Tour in May. However they tour Europe in the summer and will hit the East Coast after the summer for the 2nd leg of the U.S. Tour.

For the ladies out there, there is a new Tom Jones DVD that was just released that features early footage. In addition, it shows Jones from his show on ABC from 1969 to 1971 with major entertainers, many featured in this 180-minute montage of footage. Catch dated performances by Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darin, Jerry Lee Lewis and more, as well as Jones’ signature shop-closing concerts.

Scott Weiland has announced a return to playing with Stone Temple Pilots. Yes!!! Finally!! STP much better than Velvet. But it doesn’t mean that Velvet is breaking up.. I hope so, no offense but STP is the ticket.

OK I know many of you will roll your eyes when you read what I’m about to say but I’ll say it anyway- I am a fan of Extreme. Came across the song “Rest In Peace” from their 1992 album ” III Sides to Every Story.” I forgot how much I love this CD, yes I know there are probably 10 other people who love it to but if you have not heard it, give it a shot. By no means am I saying that it is a classic but everyone has their own favorite albums that were ripped apart by the critics or not down “main street”. Just like the CD says- there are three sides and the CD starts off hard for the first 6 songs with “Cupid’s Dead” and “Peacemaker Die” as my favorites. Then tracks 7- 11 start to slow down, with “Tragic Comic” the highlight out of this section. Then the last 4 songs are almost “opera like” with “Am I ever Gonna Change” being the standout on this “The Truth.” Now they took a lot of criticism for this CD and essentially they never recovered. They broke up and Gary Cherone, lead singer, went on to Van Halen for one CD and tour and we all know how that went. Then a couple of years ago, VH1 tried to get them back for a reunion show but Nuno Bettencourt, the lead guitarist, declined. But then last November Extreme announced a new CD for 2008 followed by a tour. Paul Geary, the original drummer, will not take part- he’s too busy managing acts now including Godsmack. But search I-Tunes these guys were not half bad.

Back on this day in 1965, Nat King Cole passed away from lung cancer. Although she would place 21 songs on the Billboard Top 40, but back on this day in 1975 Linda Ronstadt had her only number one hit with “You’re No Good.”

Back on this day in 1999 in Minnesota it was declared “Rolling Stones Day” by then mayor Jesse Ventura. Ventura use to be a bodyguard for the Stones.