Why I frigging love Elvis Costello
I've been a fan of Elvis Costello for what seems like forever.
I discovered him when he appeared with Roy Orbison in his big comeback concert in the early 90s titled Roy Orbison and friends: a black and white night.
The performance included a wonderfully brilliant selection of Oribison's demanding fast admirers and friends who came together in a one-off concert performance to celebrate the legendary Texan with the biggest voice and magical songwriting talent.
I want to track down a recording or DVD of the performance because it had the most fantastic lineup with Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, T Bone Burnett, Jennifer Warnes, K.D Lang and Bonnie Raitt.
I sadly gave away my old video cassette when I cleared out all of my stuff in my old family home after my mother downsized and sold her house a few years ago. But I recall it was an excellent star-studded concert both with its performers and there were a lot of famous people in the audience.
Anyway, Elvis Costello, whose real name is Declan McManus, is an English singer, songwriter and producer. He began his career as part of London's pub rock scene in the early 1970s. His debut album, My aim is true, released in 1977, was critically acclaimed. His first three albums are included in Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest albums.
His father was also a singer, so he grew up with the most varied and amazing soundtrack, from attending his father's concerts to listening to everything from Elvis and Dylan to popular music from the 40s, 50s and 60s. His music is influenced by varied genres and sounds, from American to English pop, rock and country.
Elvis Costello's autobiography Unfaithful music and disappearing ink charts his detailed journey through his music tastes, influences and heroes. I recommend you read his book as it is a fascinating journey through a lifetime of work in the music industry. I found it a little hard going as I am not a musician, and at times I felt as if he was dropping a lot of big names just for the sake of dropping them.
Anyone who has been working in the music industry for so long would have to be connected to some big names. Costello's longevity has been thanks to his many collaborations.
The scope of Elvis Costello's career is impressive, he is a real musical chameleon, and there are dozens of collaborations, songs and albums I could mention here. Costello's music includes everything from powerful ballads, music from the most popular movies, and even a collaborative recording with Iggy Pop.
The Iggy collaboration is the coolest thing I have heard in a long time (check out the EP La Face de Pendule à Coucou featuring Costello singing in French with Iggy, the chicest thing you are likely ever to hear).
Costello's epic love song She is probably one of my favourites until I realised it is a reworking of an old Roy Orbison song titled She. Be sure to listen to the two versions together. The ability to revisit older music makes Costello an exceptional artist. He understands music and musical traditions and reinvents them through his unique creative perspective. Incidentally, he also wrote an excellent song for Orbison called the Comedian's, and it is the pure essence of the Big O, beautifully sad, melancholy and beautiful.
Elvis Costello is probably one of my favourite performers; I could listen to his distinct vibrato and acoustic guitar without ever getting tired.
The Costello song at the top of my playlist lately is from his 1986 album King of America. While not written by Elvis Costello, I'll wear it proudly is a beautifully intimate love song that has been on repeat for a while.
I'll wear it proudly is about the desire and passion of a love affair, how love can turn our lives upside down, and how it makes us obsessive and crazy. He sings with a beautiful emotion in his voice, and I love the sentiment of how love can also turn us ultimately into fools.
I’ve put together a playlist over on Spotify of some of my favourite Elvis Costello songs, together with some of those mentioned in this post. Click on to have a little listen.