This is one of the best things I’ve ever heard. The creativity in this arrangement paired with Costello’s intense vocal clarity, power, and beauty is truly breathtaking.
I loved this performance so much that I got a copy of this VHS (before DVDs were a thing) and transferred it to WAV format so I could burn it to a CD. It's on a disc I have of the best cover songs ever. I agree with everything you said. I am going through TH-cam finding my favorite live performances of all time. Here is another breathtaking cover song you might enjoy: th-cam.com/video/E2KlfBvt-sQ/w-d-xo.html
I’m kind of a purist when it comes to this song, but this was amazing! The arrangement was really unique in exploring such a brilliant chord progression. And Costello! Wow! I’ve always loved his voice, but never really thought of him as a great singer. I would’ve thought an arrangement/style like this would’ve been too big for him… boy was I wrong! What great rendition all the way around.
I was in Boston and I cried like a baby. And no songs are meant to replace others. It’s a wonderful thing that 100 artists will have 100 interpretations and each would stand on its own. Then you’ve got 100 songs instead of one. I don’t know why people feel compelled to compare.
Totally get it... I always loved and respected Elvis... He's huge Brian Wilson admirer like I am...I love that he re-arranged it... Brian would love it too.
ROTFL at Elvis's introduction of this as 'an old California folk tune'/The sheer breadth of his work since 77/78 is so impressive. Paul Weller is the only one of his peers that comes any where near and even he is not very close.
Haha, wow, these comments. I found it to be a great cover: a thoughtful arrangement and an impassioned performance. It doesn't seek to replace the original, but provide a different interpretation and homage. The Brodskys are all world-class musicians and Costello is at his theatrical best. This is a great rendition on its own.
This song really shows how good a singer Elvis Costello is. Another "new wave" guy who turned out to be a brilliant musician/song writer/ singer/ player. I loved his weekly tv show he had. He can perform with the best of them. No wonder a musician of Diana Krall's caliber ended up with him.
The Brodski Quartet have re-arranged this classic in the "modern classical" style of Stravinsky, Bartok, and other 20th century composers. If one can appreciate the style from which they come, this is a unique, heartfelt, and innovative interpretation.
I love the Town Hall version when our beloved EC loses his voice at the end. It's so wabi sabi, so charming. If anyone knows where that recording is, please let me know. Cheers.
Playful, challenging and intelligent interpretation of the Beach Boys' anthem. There are those who dislike this version because they want something that sounds like the soundtrack of 'Love Actually'. (They wouldn't like Kronos Quartet interpreting Hendrix, either...) Excellent playing from The Brodsky Quartet, and fine singing from Costello, as ever.
Michael Thomas completely rearranged this song to nearly unrecognizable. Not my cup of tea, love elvis... but sometimes some things don't always work but credit for the effort.
Generally I like creative interpretations of a cover rather than a straight replication but I’m with you, this just lacks the lilting beauty that for me is the soul of this song, which is in my opinion one of the best ever written.
23 musicians that did the original, we did it with 2, at God Only Knows The Beach Boys (cover) Brian Wilson Carl Wilson Mike Love Al Jardine Bruce Johnston Please check it out, Thanks, Rob.
Lo estoy digitalizando y hoy lo subo.Es de la época de All this useless beauty.Tiene un intermedio con The Brodsky Quartet.Está muy bueno.Saludos! Subscribite así te enteras cuando está se llama A case for song.
@@GabrielLago1 Muchas gracias!!. Hace años que lo busco. Lo vi de casualidad hace muchos años por Films & Arts y llegué a grabar una parte con un VHS que luego perdí. Lo busqué en Torrent, cualquier tipo de legal & ilegal download pero nadie lo tiene. Y tampoco nunca lo vi en mi país a la venta (Se que salió en VHS y Dvd). Ya me suscribo. GRACIAS!!!
The song will still be there. This is exactly how you treat a song that has become a classic. You can bend it, stretch it, bounce it off the walls, because whether an audience members likes any specific interpretation, the original version is still available to purists.
Love this song. Love Elvis. Love The Beach Boys. Love alternative interpretations of classic pop songs. Wanted so much to love this. But, no. Definitely not in love with this arrangement.
If I hadn't been steeped in a devotion to the Beach Boys -- or even heard their original -- I might be inclined to find this interesting on its own merits. To me, Elvis Costello will always be the "angry young man" snarling "Radio Radio" and "Watching the Detectives". This was not horrific... but well... just not right...
Brilliant or a strange muddle. First heard on radio 4, I was. Overwhelmed by the melodic yet powerful voice and put off by the squeaky fiddles. never knew Elvis Costello was like this . I thought him a trendy pop singer in my past who copied Elvis Presley for a stage name but never got that famous. How wrong can an old girl be! He is such a singer!r
Mentor Neto I agree that the strings introduction and backdrop is self indulgent and over done. Then the melody is bastardized. This is a gentle and delicate piece that was turned into an avant-garde disaster
This is so bad, that it is - under the "point of view" disturbance of art - good again. But no, for me at last: it is a horrible trial ...but only for the trial .. thumbs up!
I Love Costello, but i also love Wilson, and this is plain butchery, thanks for sharing, now we have no doubt that the greatest song of all time doesn’t need Michael Thomas or any of those fine gentlemans
That said, while I like that they do something different with the song here, it doesn't really resonate very strongly with me. But I'd HARDLY call it trash!
Yeah, it’s an excellent vocal but the music has almost no resemblance to the song far as I can tell. Maybe a kind of chamber-jazz version but the song is lost when he’s not singing.
Costello manages to save the song from Pseud's Corner. The Brodsky Quartet is a bit lower than second rate in the usual quartet repertoire and should make "arrangements" to practise more.
elvis is talented but he did not do this song justice. This is one of the most beautiful and simple songs and the arrangement shouldn't ever be changed that much. in my opinion he butchered it
+Orrphan God Only Knows is anything but "simple" It's got incredible chord changes, an oddball bassline and an effortless keychange most people don't even notice. Don't act like it's "I Get Around" or something.
"I Get Around" is equally complex, in a different way. So is In My Room, Warmth Of the Sun, .....I just realized the list is almost endless. Seriously, though, look at the the chord combination in "I Get Around." It's like a lot of BW's pre-PS stuff - sounds simple, but it's anything but. One of the manifestations of his genius.
Christian you are right. It is not a simple song. I have watched the behind the scenes recording with Brian and how anal he was about perfection. What I should have said was that it flows. This version is just too choppy for me.
I have watched the audio making of god only knows many times. Brian is a perfectionist. I meant that the lyric is simple or quaint for lack of better term. And the original may be complex, but it flows. Music is completely subjective and I stand by my comment that this version didn’t sound great, in my opinion.
Roberto I’m classically trained. I can tell you this simply isn’t true. If you understand breath control and tone you must realise at this stage in his career Costello was expressing great ability.
![Elvis Costello & the Brodsky Quartet - (x2 songs) [3-16-93]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jMCkH61cosk/mqdefault.jpg)
![Elvis Costello & the Brodsky Quartet - (x2 songs) [3-16-93]](/img/tr.png)
This is one of the best things I’ve ever heard. The creativity in this arrangement paired with Costello’s intense vocal clarity, power, and beauty is truly breathtaking.
I loved this performance so much that I got a copy of this VHS (before DVDs were a thing) and transferred it to WAV format so I could burn it to a CD. It's on a disc I have of the best cover songs ever. I agree with everything you said. I am going through TH-cam finding my favorite live performances of all time. Here is another breathtaking cover song you might enjoy: th-cam.com/video/E2KlfBvt-sQ/w-d-xo.html
Great song beautifully sung and arranged Elvis. Thanks
I've never heard this. What a treat. Thank God for You tube
I’m kind of a purist when it comes to this song, but this was amazing! The arrangement was really unique in exploring such a brilliant chord progression. And Costello! Wow! I’ve always loved his voice, but never really thought of him as a great singer. I would’ve thought an arrangement/style like this would’ve been too big for him… boy was I wrong! What great rendition all the way around.
Insanely unique and awesome rendition of one of the greatest songs ever written... well done Elvis.
I saw this live in San Francisco and cried. NOTE: It's not supposed to replace the original. One of the best shows of my life.
I was in Boston and I cried like a baby. And no songs are meant to replace others. It’s a wonderful thing that 100 artists will have 100 interpretations and each would stand on its own. Then you’ve got 100 songs instead of one. I don’t know why people feel compelled to compare.
Totally get it... I always loved and respected Elvis... He's huge Brian Wilson admirer like I am...I love that he re-arranged it... Brian would love it too.
Is it supposed to replace the concept of good?
i totally get the reaction, .......sometimes one has to listen not too close because music/ song can obliterate you to a sobbing mess.
ROTFL at Elvis's introduction of this as 'an old California folk tune'/The sheer breadth of his work since 77/78 is so impressive. Paul Weller is the only one of his peers that comes any where near and even he is not very close.
Amazing...I can watch this over and over.
Bravo E. C. and the Brodsky Quartet. A heavenly arrangement
Stunning rendition by both the bronski quartet and Elvis Costello 👏👏👏👏👏
Haha, wow, these comments. I found it to be a great cover: a thoughtful arrangement and an impassioned performance. It doesn't seek to replace the original, but provide a different interpretation and homage. The Brodskys are all world-class musicians and Costello is at his theatrical best. This is a great rendition on its own.
The 5 of them do this great song really well. So much talent
2924 luv we are still listening
Magnificent by far the best rendition of this song I've ever heard.
Try listening to the Lyle Lovett version. I know I thought the same before I heard it.
@@Bruce-1956 it's ok!
That was amazing. Simply fantastic.
I agree with Jorge Farah. This is a wonderful interpretation by great musicians. I like it a lot.
Thank you Lee Lee
This song really shows how good a singer Elvis Costello is. Another "new wave" guy who turned out to be a brilliant musician/song writer/ singer/ player. I loved his weekly tv show he had. He can perform with the best of them. No wonder a musician of Diana Krall's caliber ended up with him.
horrible . . ..
Wow - this is amazing! I love the original, but this is great. We need more covers that aren't imitations.
Che meraviglia!
An arrangement of an old California folk song ? What a hoot , it was the beach boys , co written by Brian Wilson !
Amazing vocal by The King
I really dig it. It's a strong song that can be pushed so far, and still be itself.
What a voice. And I find the strings fascinating. Amazing how many people love and cover this song.
Wow! That was a beautiful rendition. Never heard it done that way before. Right on!
horrible . . ..
I'm from California and love classical music sometimes I feel like this song was made for me haha 😄 😆 sorry
The Brodski Quartet have re-arranged this classic in the "modern classical" style of Stravinsky, Bartok, and other 20th century composers. If one can appreciate the style from which they come, this is a unique, heartfelt, and innovative interpretation.
Lovely.
Costello surely one of the best vocalist of all time. Would love to hear him do this over the correct arrangement
No I'm not funnily enough. I'm not ignorant or self opinionated either unlike you
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G-!
I love the Town Hall version when our beloved EC loses his voice at the end. It's so wabi sabi, so charming. If anyone knows where that recording is, please let me know. Cheers.
Bravo, Bravo!! que belleza!!!!!!1
Playful, challenging and intelligent interpretation of the Beach Boys' anthem. There are those who dislike this version because they want something that sounds like the soundtrack of 'Love Actually'. (They wouldn't like Kronos Quartet interpreting Hendrix, either...) Excellent playing from The Brodsky Quartet, and fine singing from Costello, as ever.
Thanks so much for posting this!
Wow!
Exquisite
Hey Michael thats my violin !!!!
beautiful. Elvis is king.
This is great!
This remake sounds very Bartok
❤️
Michael Thomas completely rearranged this song to nearly unrecognizable. Not my cup of tea, love elvis... but sometimes some things don't always work but credit for the effort.
Generally I like creative interpretations of a cover rather than a straight replication but I’m with you, this just lacks the lilting beauty that for me is the soul of this song, which is in my opinion one of the best ever written.
23 musicians that did the original, we did it with 2, at God Only Knows The Beach Boys (cover) Brian Wilson Carl Wilson Mike Love Al Jardine Bruce Johnston Please check it out, Thanks, Rob.
Gracias por compartirlo. Podrías subirlo todo?, es imposible de conseguir. O al menos el audio. Gracias puedas o no.
Lo estoy digitalizando y hoy lo subo.Es de la época de All this useless beauty.Tiene un intermedio con The Brodsky Quartet.Está muy bueno.Saludos! Subscribite así te enteras cuando está se llama A case for song.
@@GabrielLago1 Muchas gracias!!. Hace años que lo busco. Lo vi de casualidad hace muchos años por Films & Arts y llegué a grabar una parte con un VHS que luego perdí. Lo busqué en Torrent, cualquier tipo de legal & ilegal download pero nadie lo tiene. Y tampoco nunca lo vi en mi país a la venta (Se que salió en VHS y Dvd). Ya me suscribo. GRACIAS!!!
...beautiful.... brilliant...!
As great as the actual performance might be - that's not how you treat such a song.
Declan can sing very well but this could have been orchestrated better.
Roger Browne really? How is this a failed orchestration?
The song will still be there. This is exactly how you treat a song that has become a classic. You can bend it, stretch it, bounce it off the walls, because whether an audience members likes any specific interpretation, the original version is still available to purists.
I think Brian would approve.
This one definitely does Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys justice :)
no . .. it was horrible
he got such a vegas voice...i can't believe he started out in punk rock :D
An old Californian folk song...huh?
Brad Gibson joke.
Elvis famously introduced "an old Northern English folk song" at LiveAid, then going into "All You Need Is Love".
Love this song. Love Elvis. Love The Beach Boys. Love alternative interpretations of classic pop songs. Wanted so much to love this. But, no. Definitely not in love with this arrangement.
Forget this bullshit and listen to the original. Brian Wilson's meticulous arrangement, Carl Wilson's under rated angelic voice... Perfection.
Amen to that!
Jackie Goldstein Elvis really stank on this one. No feeling whatsoever. Carl Wilson sang with heart.......
Jackie, go dig a hole for years and see if you can get back to the glorious 60s again. And please stay there
lol okaaaaay
Interesting…
If I hadn't been steeped in a devotion to the Beach Boys -- or even heard their original -- I might be inclined to find this interesting on its own merits.
To me, Elvis Costello will always be the "angry young man" snarling "Radio Radio" and "Watching the Detectives".
This was not horrific... but well... just not right...
You've told us that you stopped paying attention some time in the 80s. Thanks for personal story.
Omg...no no no. They all tore it apart
The singing was gray but those fucking strings sounded terrible
Brilliant or a strange muddle. First heard on radio 4, I was. Overwhelmed by the melodic yet powerful voice and put off by the squeaky fiddles. never knew Elvis Costello was like this . I thought him a trendy pop singer in my past who copied Elvis Presley for a stage name but never got that famous.
How wrong can an old girl be! He is such a singer!r
what a pretentious arrangement for such a delicate song.
Mentor Neto I agree that the strings introduction and backdrop is self indulgent and over done. Then the melody is bastardized. This is a gentle and delicate piece that was turned into an avant-garde disaster
Pretentious...Moi?
What an utterly pretentious comment.
This is so bad, that it is - under the "point of view" disturbance of art - good again. But no, for me at last: it is a horrible trial ...but only for the trial .. thumbs up!
Not like at all, so out that the original Master piece, Brian Wilson preach them.
I Love Costello, but i also love Wilson, and this is plain butchery, thanks for sharing, now we have no doubt that the greatest song of all time doesn’t need Michael Thomas or any of those fine gentlemans
I saw him on this tour and left at intermission. Torture.
I love Elvis, but I'll stick with the heavenly voice of Carl Wilson.
Wasn’t it one of the only songs Carl sang lead on?
@@FA_2_Pilot he sang lead on over half of their songs
Didn't know what the shit the violins were playing
An exercise in how to murder a beautiful song
So many angry boomers in the comments section
That said, while I like that they do something different with the song here, it doesn't really resonate very strongly with me. But I'd HARDLY call it trash!
If you want to hear a terrible version try Bowie on the tonight album & generally I love Bowie.
GOOD GOD! you murdered this song! it's shit! Mr Costollo you are a legend in your own mind. what was you thinking about ?
a capella would be better
They killed the song
This is awful. Not Elvis, the violins.
Difficult listening...
Fucking brutal...
Better than Bowie's at least, but that's not saying much now is it?
OtaconNachos bowies cover was better than this crap
lol
Oof
Boring... Boring...
Yeah, it’s an excellent vocal but the music has almost no resemblance to the song far as I can tell. Maybe a kind of chamber-jazz version but the song is lost when he’s not singing.
Costello manages to save the song from Pseud's Corner.
The Brodsky Quartet is a bit lower than second rate in the usual quartet repertoire and should make "arrangements" to practise more.
Corny af, nothing is going on here.
No!
A great waste of multiple talents.
horror!
Sorry, garbage at best. Guess some can get fooled on this stuff. At least try to play Time is Money or Spyder of Destiny.
I quite like the bits when Costello is singing. The bit before and after...and the vocal breaks...not my kind of music.
Bad!
David Bowie does it better
Dawn Clark I’ve often felt like Elvis Costello is the B-list Bowie. His voice is similar but not the same, but he’s not bad.
Agreed, prefer and love David Bowie's vocal renditon which I find reminiscent of Scott Walker
elvis is talented but he did not do this song justice. This is one of the most beautiful and simple songs and the arrangement shouldn't ever be changed that much. in my opinion he butchered it
+Orrphan God Only Knows is anything but "simple" It's got incredible chord changes, an oddball bassline and an effortless keychange most people don't even notice. Don't act like it's "I Get Around" or something.
"I Get Around" is equally complex, in a different way. So is In My Room, Warmth Of the Sun, .....I just realized the list is almost endless. Seriously, though, look at the the chord combination in "I Get Around." It's like a lot of BW's pre-PS stuff - sounds simple, but it's anything but. One of the manifestations of his genius.
Christian you are right. It is not a simple song. I have watched the behind the scenes recording with Brian and how anal he was about perfection. What I should have said was that it flows. This version is just too choppy for me.
I have watched the audio making of god only knows many times. Brian is a perfectionist. I meant that the lyric is simple or quaint for lack of better term. And the original may be complex, but it flows. Music is completely subjective and I stand by my comment that this version didn’t sound great, in my opinion.
Yikes
Awful
Elvis is great the strings are to much!
Nope
How to destroy a beautiful song!
horrible . . . could have been way better
He's always been a character but he sings the same as any old geezer down the pub
Roberto I’m classically trained. I can tell you this simply isn’t true. If you understand breath control and tone you must realise at this stage in his career Costello was expressing great ability.
Pretentious cap-trap. Pure rubbish. Bugger off McManus!
well tried but failed...
Turned Brian Wilson’s masterpiece into shit. Gross.
Ruined my favourite ever song, and to think Brian Wilson was on LSD whilst in this period, god only know s....too right he does !
Horrible............................