We've not had a Costello thread for absolutely yonks, so I thought I'd start one now, seeing as 'Mighty Like a Rose' has been included in that Rolling Stone 'Worst Album by Great Bands' listing.

I was a big Costello fan in my teens and twenties, but lost interest after he started dabbling in Country and Western. I still check out his output from time to time, though.

All my early Costello is on vinyl or cassette, but as a taster for the uninitiated, I quickly ripped and uploaded a few tracks from the CD albums I had handy - Spike, Mighty Like a Rose, All this Useless Beauty, Blood and Chocolate, When I Was Cruel and Cruel Smile. (I really must get round to getting 'King of America' on CD 'cos it's a corker.)

Sampler Tracklisting:

Couldn't Call it Unexpected no 4
So Like Candy
The Other Side of Summer
Veronica
God's Comic
Baby Plays Around
The Other End of the Telescope
All This Useless Beauty
Distorted Angel
Poor, Fractured Atlas
I Want to Vanish
I Hope You're Happy Now
Blue Chair
Crimes of Paris
Spooky Girlfriend (live - and he's got a great dirty laugh :D )
15 Petals
Tart
Episode of Blonde.

http://www.mediafire.com/?c1wlnc2ddjp

Kate

xxx

Good idea, it was about time for a Costello thread.
It's pretty much the same for me: I was a huge fan of his music up until 'Mighty' Like A Rose', then I slowly started to loose interest.

I saw him in 1992 with the Brodsky Quartet during the 'Juliet's Letters' period, and I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by the whole 'experiment'.

I think all his albums from 1977 to 1985 are fantastic...
One of my favourite is 'Armed Forces' and I also like a lot 'Punch The Clock': a truly perfect 'pop' record with healthy soul influences.

If somebody is interested I posted a while ago on my blog, an excellent sounding bootleg from the 'Punch The Clock' era (1983).

Link:
http://elmanzo.blogspot.com/

I'am a Costello fan. I have gone to quite a few of his shows. I met him once in Tampa as he came out . He was very kind and polite.

One fantastic bootleg of Costello's is the 2 x cd "King Of Americana".Superb sound quality too.

Here is another EC bootleg from another blog:

Elvis Costello HEATWAVE FESTIVAL, MOSPORT AUG.23,1980
http://nargothebortsdeviantsubculture.blogspot.com/2007/05/elvis-costello-heatwave-festivalmosport.html

Yey, I lubs Elvis! I'll see him this summer! (Most likely) *excited..*

thanks for the boot, le Manzo
and the thread, mother

Good idea, it was about time for a Costello thread.
It's pretty much the same for me: I was a huge fan of his music up until 'Mighty' Like A Rose', then I slowly started to loose interest.

I saw him in 1992 with the Brodsky Quartet during the 'Juliet's Letters' period, and I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by the whole 'experiment'.

I think all his albums from 1977 to 1985 are fantastic...
One of my favourite is 'Armed Forces' and I also like a lot 'Punch The Clock': a truly perfect 'pop' record with healthy soul influences.

If somebody is interested I posted a while ago on my blog, an excellent sounding bootleg from the 'Punch The Clock' era (1983).

Link:
http://elmanzo.blogspot.com/

Thanks for this. I'm definitely back in a MacManussy mood, now! :D

Thanks for this. I'm definitely back in a MacManussy mood, now! :D

Same for me. 'Almost Blue' on the turntable.
Not your favourite, right? :D I love the 'blue-redneck-country&western' MacManus :D

Same for me. 'Almost Blue' on the turntable.
Not your favourite, right? :D I love the 'blue-redneck-country&western' MacManus :D

Ha, no - I loaned out my copy of 'Almost Blue' and never bothered asking for it back. I've been playing 'Blood and Chocolate', 'All This Useless Beauty' and 'When I Was Cruel'. And I've just replaced my vinyl of the 'Girls, Girls, Girls' compliation for a quid on Amazon....

i think elvis costello is way too white to be alright.:)

He's a god to me. This Years Model, Armed Forces, anything from that era is what I consider to be his best work. Back then, he had so much built up anger, spite, maliciousness and he let it out all through his music. Lipstick vouge live gives chills.

i think he's done alright for himself arsey. he's hardly angry. he's married to diana krall (ugh)! on any given weeknite, he can be found at one of manhattans michelin rated eating establishments,supping on 300 dollar sea eel and 500 dollar foie gras. bet the celebrated chef always makes a point to stop at his table for a chat! the celebrated chef might reveal that the song 'alison' reminds him of his first live-in girlfriend!.

im sorry arsey, i hate elvis costello in 2007. i really do.

i think he's done alright for himself arsey. he's hardly angry. he's married to diana krall (ugh)! on any given weeknite, he can be found at one of manhattans michelin rated eating establishments,supping on 300 dollar sea eel and 500 dollar foie gras. bet the celebrated chef always makes a point to stop at his table for a chat! the celebrated chef might reveal that the song 'alison' reminds him of his first live-in girlfriend!.

im sorry arsey, i hate elvis costello in 2007. i really do.

I can understand your feelings. The attached picture says it all...

P.S:
Here's a little remainder of how great he was back in the day.
This is 'El Mocambo Show' a great promo from 1978, truly a must-have for EC fans:

http://nargothebortsdeviantsubculture.blogspot.com/2007/05/elvis-costello-live-at-el-mocambo.html
Thanks to the bloke who runs the above linked blog for uploading this.

I grew up on Elvis, as a teen, in the mid-late 70's..I was a huge Elvis fan..I haven't followed him much as of late..but his older stuff is some of my fav's.

Steve

He's a god to me. This Years Model, Armed Forces, anything from that era is what I consider to be his best work. Back then, he had so much built up anger, spite, maliciousness and he let it out all through his music. Lipstick vouge live gives chills.

BUMP!

Today's BBC London Robert Elms show is featuring What's the fuss about Elvis Costello v Graham Parker from 12:30pm.

You can listen it on their website http://www.bbc.co.uk/london :)

BUMP!

Today's BBC London Robert Elms show is featuring What's the fuss about Elvis Costello v Graham Parker from 12:30pm.

You can listen it on their website http://www.bbc.co.uk/london :)

Listening now. Thanks :)

Let's bump this again, since he's become the main topic of discussion over in the Country Music (http://forums.morrissey-solo.com/showthread.php?p=676195) thread.

Here are a couple rarities that I've posted to Sendspace. They're later Elvis, but great.

Sally Sue Brown (http://www.sendspace.com/file/i8335t) (MP3, 3Mb), from the hard-to-find 1994 compilation Adios Amigo: A Tribute to Arthur Anderson (the guy who wrote "Anna" and "Soldier of Love").

The Night Before Larry Was Stretched (http://www.sendspace.com/file/ud7jc6) (AAC, 7Mb), from 1996's Common Ground: Voices of Modern Irish Music.

Let's bump this again, since he's become the main topic of discussion over in the Country Music (http://forums.morrissey-solo.com/showthread.php?p=676195) thread.

Here are a couple rarities that I've posted to Sendspace. They're later Elvis, but great.

Sally Sue Brown (http://www.sendspace.com/file/i8335t) (MP3, 3Mb), from the hard-to-find 1994 compilation Adios Amigo: A Tribute to Arthur Anderson (the guy who wrote "Anna" and "Soldier of Love").

The Night Before Larry Was Stretched (http://www.sendspace.com/file/ud7jc6) (AAC, 7Mb), from 1996's Common Ground: Voices of Modern Irish Music.

Hooray! This is a great thread. Thanks for the rarities. ;)

I Want You from Blood & Chocolate is amazing...but sad :(

I Want You from Blood & Chocolate is amazing...but sad :(

It's a masterpiece. But my favorite tracks from B & C, inexplicably, are "Poor Napoleon" and "Crimes of Paris." There's something sublime about the opening line "I can't lie on this bed anymore, it burns my skin" and the way it's sung.

Elvissy news update....

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/04-02-2008/0004785043&EDATE

Love EC, not sure about this....

Love EC, not sure about this....

Not sure either. I'm sure they know what they're doing:eek:

Peter

P.S Who's the avatar, Mr. B?

Not sure either. I'm sure they know what they're doing:eek:

Peter

P.S Who's the avatar, Mr. B?

That is the wonderful Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, Peter.

Sublime music altogether, he said poncily.

P.S. Gangland wars in Limerick are gone mental. Full of Ganglords, it is. Great city, though :)

That is the wonderful Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, Peter.

Sublime music altogether, he said poncily.

P.S. Gangland wars in Limerick are gone mental. Full of Ganglords, it is. Great city, though :)

Helsinki - my second home. Love it to bits. Went to the Sibelius monument (which is a bit odd) last year.

I've already booked the flights and hotel in Limerick - do you think I'm safe?

Peter

Of all the musicians who could host a show like this, Professor MacManus is probably the best possible choice--his knowledge of popular music is exhaustive. And if I had cable TV, I'd watch this just to see the cover versions he comes up with.

Went to the Sibelius monument (which is a bit odd) last year.

I've never heard of it, so I looked it up, and I'll be bejiggered if it doesn't look like Australia from this angle:

http://www.worldwidewanderings.com/Dcp00231.jpg
http://www.ausbird.com/jpegs/australia.jpg

Reversed, maybe.

:D

Helsinki - my second home. Love it to bits. Went to the Sibelius monument (which is a bit odd) last year.

I've already booked the flights and hotel in Limerick - do you think I'm safe?

Peter
I want to go there :( Do Swineair fly to Helsinki?
Also want to go to Old Sib's home in Jarvenpaa.
I've seen pics of the monument before, looks impressive.

You'll be fine in Limerick. Very friendly people. But, a big feuding gang problem. Lots of murders for such a small city.

I want to go there :( Do Swineair fly to Helsinki?
Also want to go to Old Sib's home in Jarvenpaa.
I've seen pics of the monument before, looks impressive.

You'll be fine in Limerick. Very friendly people. But, a big feuding gang problem. Lots of murders for such a small city.

I flew from Heathrow to Vantaa. Helsinki is a wonderful, wonderful city. Small enough to walk around, so much to see. Stayed at Hotel Kamp, which is stunning.

When I think of Limerick, the first thing I think of is Munster vs. New Zealand, Thomond Park 1978. Even though 2nd generation Irish, I still remember the swell of pride then.

It's probably time for bed.


Peter

Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach - Royal Festival Hall; London, England [10.29.98] (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E6UU8ZXE)
Radio Broadcast

Elvissy news update....

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/04-02-2008/0004785043&EDATE

pfYU_xNAvNg

kNwr7QsCb5M

http://rapidshare.com/files/119051873/dino1167.rar
Elvis Costello - Leicester, England - 22 Oct 1977
PW: sparkyibew

http://rapidshare.com/files/114452884/dino1020.rar
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Chicago, IL - 3 Dec 1977
PW: sparkyibew

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UBE2Z6WJ
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Live at the El Mocambo

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7JNZN64U
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Philadelphia, PA - 11 Aug 1994

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OANO04OC
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Laguna Hills, CA - 15 Sept 1984

http://rapidshare.com/files/128525709/dino1219.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/128529341/dino1219.part2.rar
Elvis Costello & Charles Mingus Big Band - Free Jazz Festival, Brazil 1997
PW: sparkyibew

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9FUBLTRZ
Elvis Costello - Toronto - 2 May 2006

At this rate, I'll never get to sleep.

http://theultimatebootlegexperience.blogspot.com/search/label/Elvis%20Costello

6N1bm54QjRA

I'll be bejiggered if it doesn't look like Australia from this angle:
:) So it does...I can almost see me house in the corner!

I really rate Elvis as a singer and lyricist, his version of Sleepers "What do I do now" is sublimely stunning and there's enough great moments in his catalogue (even the C&W stuff) to put him up their with the greats IMHO.

Thanks for all the great links, I'll be checking those out.

We've not had a Costello thread for absolutely yonks, so I thought I'd start one now, seeing as 'Mighty Like a Rose' has been included in that Rolling Stone 'Worst Album by Great Bands' listing.

I was a big Costello fan in my teens and twenties, but lost interest after he started dabbling in Country and Western. I still check out his output from time to time, though.


Same here.

About a month ago I had Punch The Clock stuck in my head for no reason I could think of. Then a few days ago Veronica was stuck in my head. I hadn't heard either of these in ages. I wonder why that happens.

I like Elvis' personality. I was so glad to see he had a talk show on cable, but then I watched it and they pretty much removed his personality! That was the part I was excited about. Weird.

Ever see him live? I saw him in '89 and it was a trip. People in wolf costumes were accosting his audience. So fun. :)

I love how Craig Kilborn has permagrin. :)

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Anybody have the Elvis Costello broadcast that was on the A&E Network (USA) about 5-6 years ago? Had some great versions of some classics. Used to have it on cassette but, well, don't really use those anymore! :)

I've always loved "All Grown Up" though he didn't write it, Imperial Bedroom is a great album, amongst many others..

I've always loved "All Grown Up" though he didn't write it, Imperial Bedroom is a great album, amongst many others..

Great song... and 'Mighty Like A Rose' was on heavy rotation on my walkman when I was in the army. So many memories...
On a separate note: he wrote that song.

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not exactly a career highlight.

Going to see EC tonight.

Going to see EC tonight.

Looks like you're in for a treat:
http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7754&sid=d4eacb9d2476d54fe840e857af52216e

Let us know how it was!

Oiqfq6e46Fk

A funny video: no glasses and crap haircut. It was available as an easter egg on the video compilation 'The Right Spectacle'.
Here is the 'polished' official version. Great song, btw.

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Great song... and 'Mighty Like A Rose' was on heavy rotation on my walkman when I was in the army. So many memories...
On a separate note: he wrote that song.

My mistake for some reason I thought I read H. Carmichael had wrote it.

Is he still pretending to be from the Mississippi Delta? Wake me when that's over, kthx

Looks like you're in for a treat:
http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7754&sid=d4eacb9d2476d54fe840e857af52216e

Let us know how it was!

The show was incredible. I saw him in Minneapolis about seven years ago but last night was way better. Here's the setlist:

Accidents Will Happen
Mystery Dance
(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea
You Belong to Me
I Hope You're Happy Now
Man Out of Time
Motel Matches
Suit of Lights
Complicated Shadows
Condemned Man
Blame it On Cain
Sleep of the Just
Brilliant Mistake
Radio Sweetheart / Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)
Femme Fatale
American Without Tears
The Crooked Line
Sulphur to Sugarcane
Mystery Train

Encore:

The Scarlet Tide
Watching the Detectives
Alison / Tracks of My Tears / Tears of a Clown
(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes
Radio, Radio
Pump it Up
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding

The show was incredible. I saw him in Minneapolis about seven years ago but last night was way better. Here's the setlist:

Accidents Will Happen
Mystery Dance
(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea
You Belong to Me
I Hope You're Happy Now
Man Out of Time
Motel Matches
Suit of Lights
Complicated Shadows
Condemned Man
Blame it On Cain
Sleep of the Just
Brilliant Mistake
Radio Sweetheart / Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)
Femme Fatale
American Without Tears
The Crooked Line
Sulphur to Sugarcane
Mystery Train

Encore:

The Scarlet Tide
Watching the Detectives
Alison / Tracks of My Tears / Tears of a Clown
(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes
Radio, Radio
Pump it Up
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding

Wow, what a set. Vintage Costello at his best.

Aw.. an Elvis Costello thread.. thanks for that. I loved the armed forces album which was all foldy over and hugely interesting. I still have it.

I'm sure thta he was very cool at the time. Were the NHS glasses an indicator of future preferences I wonder?....
I actually chatted up a looky-likey EC person at a uni gig in the early 80's, Philip was his name.
And he was really cool until i actually went on a date with him. That was not good.

Along with Armd Forces album cover ,Alison and Pump it Up remain as good tracks that have lasted the course with me but when all the county and western
guff started, I lost interest big time. I'll refresh what he is doing now with interest.
Good thread!

This is great news !
"Elvis Costello Opens Archives For Live Releases"
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=8552371