EC is phenomenal. Latest album is another gem. He went from angry young man to cantankerous old sod with nothing in between. Seen him live 4 times. All different experiences and all enjoyable in their own way.
Love Elvis Costello. I first heard him in the 80s. Loved the way he dressed and was so interesting. Great songwriter. My boyfriend dressed up like him for Halloween one year. So funny.
Elvis should be held in the pantheon of legends like Mozart! Absolutely phenomenal not to mention the human metronome Pete Thomas and Steve Neieve on keys! It’s a shame Bruce lost his work ethic and had to go.
The quality of Costello's lyrics - and the bullet speed with which he delivered them - in many ways is similar to hip-hop. But the ideas behind them are on the level of Bob Dylan and Donald Fagen (Steely Dan).
Elvis Costello and the Attractions ruled back in the 70s, especially for those of us who refused to jump on the Disco bandwagon. He set the tone for the 80s before the 80s even happened! Yeah I'm old. I still listen to Elvis Costello's 70s angry young dude stuff (Pump it Up, Radio Radio, I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down, Oliver's Army....must I go on?). Great video Fil! Greetings from Southern California 🌴
Elvis C. has written such brilliant songs over the years and those unique vocals! I still remember buying 'My Aim is True' and being blown away by the unique sound. It did very well in Canada going Top Ten here. Was lucky enough to see him live in '80. Great live with alot of unexpected twists ! Have followed his career throughout the years. Brilliant talented guy. Thanks again Fil for a great review!😎🎼🎵🎶🍔
You truly are a fantastic example of someone who shows deep appreciation for all good music - regardless of the era. I'm an American who lived in London for a few years and I remember being shocked that no one in my age group knew who the Small Faces were, or had any idea who Steve Marriott was. Dear god people, one of the greatest singers in the history of rock, pop, or R&B was from East London! Cliff Richard seems an exception, for reasons that remain elusive to me.
Fame often has nothing to do with talent or genuine achievement, as you should know. In the 1950s, Cliff and the Shadows were early influential rock n rollers in the UK though. Cliff just lost his way in terms of musical credibility after that- but he had lots of hit singles. Cliff Richard is the 1960s/1970s/1980s version of Robbie Williams, a celebrity singer who has hits written for them and that type will always be more well known.
As a study in the sublime, almost unbearable "coolness" of a slow reggae-style song, Listen to "Watching the Detectives", followed by "Quarter of a Man" by David Lindley and El Rayo X, then "Walking on the Moon" by the police, winding up with "Dem Belly Full (but we hungry)" by Bob Marley. PS, Quarter of a Man in particular is a tour-de-force, one of my favorite songs of all time......
One song isn't enough - that'd be his best but it is still lightweight fluff that becomes irritating quickly with repeated play. Correction - Alison would be his best in my books.
@kidcharlemagne76 I don't remember how many he had, about 20 or 30 when I signed on. At first I didn't know why I clicked on it, since I don't like most analyses videos. But Fil was different, a really nice guy. And he has such an interest in music and the people that there is a reason he is so in demand.
I was stunned by him.....loved him.....named my firstborn Alison.....because of his song....and he can sing a Country Western song like he was born in the South.....still love him..
I once read a review of Elvis which said something to the effect that he had the BEST singing voice of all the "Literate non-singers" (IE Bob Dylan Lou Reed Leonard Cohen)...Every imperfection in his voice is made up for how he utilizes it...as you said...very unique voice indeed. I always loved when he would do his own backing vocals on many of his studio tracks...to me, they always enhanced the acidic wit in his songs.
The reason Elvis Was banned from SNL was NBC, who hosted SNL was owned by General Electric who owned a ton of commercial radio stations and “Radio, Radio” was a rant against commercial radio with lines like “You either shut up or get cut out; they don't wanna hear about it. It's only inches on the reel-to-reel. And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools tryin' to anaesthetise the way that you feel”
My first introduction to Elvis (Costello) was hearing, "Pump It Up". So many years later, I can't stop appreciating his songwriting talents. 🙂 The fact that he's a Liverpudlian (like my favorite group) doesn't hurt. 😉 I remember when he was banned from SNL for awhile because he was supposed to sing a particular song and stopped his set to sing a different one (I think it was about radio). What daring. 😂 Thanks for this, Fil. 🙂 Edited: I wrote this before I saw your whole video, so sorry for the redundancy. 🙃
I appreciate you analyzing this song because for some reason I missed it back when, Elvis Costello along with the whole band are just flat-out wonderful.
Elvis Costello was my music hero. He is no doubt the godfather of British New Wave. No one sounded like him, and his song writing was incredible. The attractions were a great band. Elvis made it cool to look like a dork with attitude who made music, Harold Lloyd glasses etc. My buds and I in high school were kinda punk dorks, so took to Costello immediately. His first 3 albums are masterpieces.
His early sound with the Attractions was like stepping into a time machine visiting a place vague and familiar somewhere near the cusp of pre-psychedelia...strange and distant, yet recognizable with certain forgotten elements. It was cheery and staggering from measure to measure, bar to bar...
Phenomenal performance & fantastic analyses... That smile says so much! 😊 Love Elvis & his unique style❤️ Veronica is an amazing song, brilliant & extremely deep. I adore so much of his music. Someone else mentioned Joe Jackson, another musician I absolutely LOVE & who I thought of while watching Elvis. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don't know why... Possibly because their careers were started around the same time. Speaking of Joe, I love his song Got The Time & Anthrax 's cover of it, lol.
I don't know, Fil, his accent sounds very British to my 'Murican ear. Very similar to early Joe Jackson (not surprising), also a sneer in the voice that one hears in many older British Punk bands.
Brilliant analysis once again Wings of Pegasus! I loved Elvis Costello during his "Angry Young Man"/"New Wave" phase (1977-1979). His albums, "My aim is true", "This Years Model" and "Armed Forces " cannot be topped in my opinion. I have listened to all his other albums over the years, but nothing compares to his first 3. I appreciate the fact that he became eclectic, but those early records have something very special about them. In my mind, they capture his true essence. The lyrics, the melodies and the attitude were very unique. I feel that a lot of his other work sounds forced where he is trying to incorporate earlier British and American musical styles in order to appear credible and relevant as a songwriter. Instead of being the voice of my generation, he became what I would call "old people's music". There is no doubt that lot of his later material is musically very sophisticated, but I feel that his musical delivery became very contrived, especially his habit of deliberately singing "behind the beat" and the over-affected vibrato in his voice. I preferred his puns, acerbic wit, wordplay and natural style of singing on those early records. You could hear the anger and sarcasm in his voice and you knew he meant it. I think that true fans would know exactly what I mean. Keep up the great work man. I love your channel!
I watch and comment a lot on your channel and being an old old school punk rock an roller I've appreciated Elvis Costello for at least being ahead of the curve for new music (so to speak) in the 70's. Once again great research and back story. Big fan of you both. Keep on doing your videos.
New subscriber and glad to be here. 58 year old singer songwriter from Miles City Montana. I've stumbled across your videos from time to time, and always dug your positive outlook. So tonight I'm watching one of your tracks and hit the sub button, I was so happy to find you had a search engine! I typed in my guy Elvis and had about the best 20 mins I had in a while.....sometimes you rivet heads get it right!
An original. Talented and intelligent. In the 1980s he recorded a wonderful aural riot called The Other Side of Summer which should have been a monster hit. Watching this makes me wish I'd heard him and The Attractions live in the 70s/80s.
The other side of summer- “Was it a millionaire who said "imagine no possessions"? A poor little schoolboy who said "we don't need no lessons"?” So much wicked lyrical genius!
omg! can't believe i didn't spot this in your vaults sooner, Fil. No word of a lie - seeing Elvis Costello and the B52's on SNL changed my life. I was like, "finally someone is making music for me". Early on, SNL was very groundbreaking with their musical guests. Mostly because members like Akroyd were so passionate about music.
That was a great SNL switcheroo by Elvis. In the late 70s, the King ruled but wasn't ever as popular as he deserved to be. After Trust in 1981, he went down hill pretty fast as a crooner. I guess he didn't want to keep doing the same thing but he was the best at that. He did do a beautiful version of Burt Bacharach's "I just don't know what to do with myself" so I am not against all crooners. You provide a lot of details of his career for those of us who hadn't thought of him much lately. Thanks, Fil
The clip of his return to SNL after 20+ years of banishment is well worth tracking down, what with him busting into the Beastie Boys' performance of "Sabotage" to play "Radio Radio" with them backing him up.
Many thanks for so much info, you mentioned Linda Ronstadt and David Letterman , he had Linda Emmylou and Dolly on his show singing Neil Young’s After The Goldrush, from their Trio ll album, Dennis James was playing a Glass Armonica designed by Benjamin Franklin when here at Cambridge , he got Marianne Davies to play it, later he went to Paris with Marianne, she taught Marie Antoinette to play the Glass Armonica, Elvis once said Love Hurts by Gram Parsons and Emmylou was one of the best duets ever, he got to sing it with Emmy at The Grand Ole Opry, 2005/6, Gram passed away 36 years ago yesterday , Elvis was pictured with MOLLY TUTTLE this week, he gets everywhere 🎸🎸🎸
Thank you for this Fil. Awesome. I first saw Elvis and The Attractions live in Vancouver this same year of 1978. That show changed my life. Such incredible musicians. And Elvis, one of truly great songwriters of rock music.
Elvis Costello had a cable tv show a few years back. His performance with Lou Reed was outstanding. A lot of my friends were not enamored with new wave, bet he blew me away.
Oh No: The Costello tv show was "Spectacle" and he had quite a wide range of performers on, Elton John, the Police and Richard Thompson, to name a few. Elvis had to sit in between Sting and Stewart Copeland, who clearly wanted to kill each other!
Thanks Fil!!...I love Elvis Costello! Veronica and Everyday I Write The Book are the hits I remember as a child of MTV! I know he's married to Diana Krall who is a fabulous musician/vocalist! I went back on a little Trek into his early years, so much about his career I didn't know....✌❤🤘
I meant to say era . Fil , it is so good you are out there doing this. You are bringing all sorts of people and music styles together . As Cole Porter said ...Anything Goes . 🎙🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🍸🍸🤣
Such great talent came out of that Brit punk / new wave scene period. Elvis Costello. Ian Dury. Joe Strummer. Paul Weller. Wilko Johnson. Lee Brilleaux. The list is endless.
Elvis Costello is far more than the British Dylan ... he could spit lyrics like a hip-hop star, but they had the sly sophistication of Donald Fagen (Steely Dan). I saw him live in New York around 1980 for a 90-minute show. They took no breaks, it was intense. It shortchanged him to lump him in with the other "new wave" artists as "punk". By 1982, he became even more artistic.
Here in the States, Costello's 1st LP record initially did not included "Watching the Detectives", it was only found on the British record release (or maybe as a B-side on one of the 45rpm singles, "Allison" perhaps? Can't quite remember....). Which was frustrating; I remember hearing "Watching the Detectives" on the radio at some point but you couldn't easily buy it.
good 'un 👍 Back then in 78’ I just got the 45 single for “Allison”... not totally sure if that was his first US single. Later in the 90s I got the Reissued CD of ‘My Aim Is True’ with the country songs that they wouldn’t let him release back in the 70s...
It was Linda Ronstadt’s version of Allison that impressed me with Costello’s talent. It seems to me that the artist’s with a strong work ethic, and extreme talent, have the best chance at surviving the rock lifestyle and having a long career. I’m sorry to hear of his cancer diagnosis. I wish him the best of health for many years to come. Thanks Fil!
Great analysis, as always. Pete Thomas, when learning Elvis's songs, would ask for the lyrics. His drumming cleverly complements the vocal lines. Elvis's work with the Brodsky Quartet deserves mention - he worked with them longer than the Attractions.
Really like Elvis Costello, and haven't listened to nearly enough of his work. Allison sufficed to make me a lifelong fan, melody, expression and voice. Thanks for some new things to listen for from Elvis Costello, as if his songwriters showcase show weren't enough. Prolific indeed!
Listen to Imperial Bedroom. It was coproduced by Geoff Emerick of Beatles fame. It's his Sgt Pepper production type album with a phenomenal set of songs
I was a fan of Elvis Costello from the start (Stiff Records!), but must confess I've not kept up with everything he's done over a long career. I heard today that he won a songwriter award at the 2019 Americana Awards in Nashville, TN. Brilliant songwriter and a unique singer. AND yes in the late 70's I listened to prog, jazz fusion, reggae, punk, post punk, hard rock, country rock, et al. If you love music, you LOVE all types of music.
Fil, Patti Smith then The Cars, now Elvis Costello After Neil Diamond and a little after Van Morrison. Quite eclectic. Good for your kind of show. Mission statement- 'Ill listen to any semi good to great performance of a great artist.
Thanks so much for analyzing this suggestion of mine Fil. Such a great performance, love the "Space Invader" impression Elvis does in the mid section. The Attractions are also soo in sync as a band here. Costello has covered so many different styles of music during his lengthy career . The only other artist that has taken a similar path would be Joe Jackson. I need to search for a clip !
What a great band! These complicated arrangements in jazz or rock, can go off the rails really quickly if the bass or drummer aren't "spot on" as you always say. Really top notch live performance. BTW, he also managed to get the beautiful and talented jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall to marry him! Now that's talent.
Fire! Indeed, one *is* unique by default by simply doing what comes naturally to them. An artist friend of mine made the very same point many years ago, which I have always remembered. New wave musicians tended to be very underrated due to their admirable aversion to ass-wanking, and these guys were certainly among the best, and could go toe-to-toe with any band in any genre at this time. And Elvis himself has kept getting better and better as a guitarist and even keyboard player (see Roy Orbison's Black and White Night).
Elvis is one of the greatest song writers/arrangers and brilliant minds in rock and roll. And his band members have always been top notch.
Elvis C. and Bruce S. are my 2 favorite song writers.
Elvis and the Attractions are so underrated. Just an amazing band backing one of the greatest songwriters of all-time!
There should be a channel that just delves into Elvis's lyrics. The man is a master wordsmith and quite dark.
Confession, my brother loved Elvis Costello’s music so much we spread some of his ashes at an Elvis concert in Asbury Park, NJ.
EC is phenomenal. Latest album is another gem. He went from angry young man to cantankerous old sod with nothing in between. Seen him live 4 times. All different experiences and all enjoyable in their own way.
Love Elvis Costello. I first heard him in the 80s. Loved the way he dressed and was so interesting. Great songwriter. My boyfriend dressed up like him for Halloween one year. So funny.
Elvis should be held in the pantheon of legends like Mozart! Absolutely phenomenal not to mention the human metronome Pete Thomas and Steve Neieve on keys! It’s a shame Bruce lost his work ethic and had to go.
The quality of Costello's lyrics - and the bullet speed with which he delivered them - in many ways is similar to hip-hop. But the ideas behind them are on the level of Bob Dylan and Donald Fagen (Steely Dan).
Hi Fil. So glad you featured Elvis Costello. Another really skilled and clever songwriter. So many dimensions to this first-rate musician ~ Thanks.
Elvis Costello and the Attractions ruled back in the 70s, especially for those of us who refused to jump on the Disco bandwagon. He set the tone for the 80s before the 80s even happened! Yeah I'm old. I still listen to Elvis Costello's 70s angry young dude stuff (Pump it Up, Radio Radio, I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down, Oliver's Army....must I go on?). Great video Fil! Greetings from Southern California 🌴
YEAHHHHHH Elvis Costello!! Now you're talking Fil !!! 👍👍👍👍
Elvis C. has written such brilliant songs over the years and those unique vocals! I still remember buying 'My Aim is True' and being blown away by the unique sound. It did very well in Canada going Top Ten here. Was lucky enough to see him live in '80. Great live with alot of unexpected twists ! Have followed his career throughout the years. Brilliant talented guy. Thanks again Fil for a great review!😎🎼🎵🎶🍔
You truly are a fantastic example of someone who shows deep appreciation for all good music - regardless of the era. I'm an American who lived in London for a few years and I remember being shocked that no one in my age group knew who the Small Faces were, or had any idea who Steve Marriott was. Dear god people, one of the greatest singers in the history of rock, pop, or R&B was from East London! Cliff Richard seems an exception, for reasons that remain elusive to me.
Fame often has nothing to do with talent or genuine achievement, as you should know.
In the 1950s, Cliff and the Shadows were early influential rock n rollers in the UK though. Cliff just lost his way in terms of musical credibility after that- but he had lots of hit singles.
Cliff Richard is the 1960s/1970s/1980s version of Robbie Williams, a celebrity singer who has hits written for them and that type will always be more well known.
Very cool. Watching The Detectives and Allison, him playing a Jazzmaster, one of my all time fave axes as a kid.
As a study in the sublime, almost unbearable "coolness" of a slow reggae-style song, Listen to "Watching the Detectives", followed by "Quarter of a Man" by David Lindley and El Rayo X, then "Walking on the Moon" by the police, winding up with "Dem Belly Full (but we hungry)" by Bob Marley. PS, Quarter of a Man in particular is a tour-de-force, one of my favorite songs of all time......
Every day I write the book..understated coolness is Elvis Costello..thanks Fil.
One song isn't enough - that'd be his best but it is still lightweight fluff that becomes irritating quickly with repeated play. Correction - Alison would be his best in my books.
@@annemickelson2621 Agreed! ( came along at the perfect time 2 be sung 2 in my early college yrs! Yeah, sometimes it worked!😜
Mark Evrard One of my fun favs from him...😀
I read that EDIWtB was a response song to John Hyatt’s “Book Lovers”. So there’s another level to the “fluff” of the song.
Congrats on 90K subs❣️ You will be at 100 in no time. Thanks, Fil, for this analysis on Elvis. He is so unique and in a league of his own!
@kidcharlemagne76 I don't remember how many he had, about 20 or 30 when I signed on. At first I didn't know why I clicked on it, since I don't like most analyses videos. But Fil was different, a really nice guy. And he has such an interest in music and the people that there is a reason he is so in demand.
@@christophersmith2544 He is doing a great service to music too, the aesthetics of it all, what makes a song/artist great. SO sorely needed now!
Thanks!
kidcharlemagne76 , have a listen to Amy Speace “ The Ghost of Charlemagne “ she war here in u k at the Long Road Festival recently
@@christophersmith2544 Exactly, very eloquent in so few words. I tend to drone on!! LOL. If you feel something, then it worked!!!
Elvis Costello was the first concert I went to alone (Armed Forces1979.)
I was stunned by him.....loved him.....named my firstborn Alison.....because of his song....and he can sing a Country Western song like he was born in the South.....still love him..
I once read a review of Elvis which said something to the effect that he had the BEST singing voice of all the "Literate non-singers" (IE Bob Dylan Lou Reed Leonard Cohen)...Every imperfection in his voice is made up for how he utilizes it...as you said...very unique voice indeed. I always loved when he would do his own backing vocals on many of his studio tracks...to me, they always enhanced the acidic wit in his songs.
Great point. His vocal overdubbing is cool on many of his songs
Thank you Fil you analyze Elvis Costello was perfect. Of course I did learn a lot. 🤟
His collaboration with Burt Bacharach was also amazing!
And, Elvis Costello had a
heart for the late Chet Baker, Jazz legend! What
a guy.
Elvis Costello another singer/writer. He was a poet. 😎😎💖Great band.🤣 Loved Elvis.he was no dummy.😎
We can automatically see how much you love this song Fil🤙
Can't wipe the smile off your face 👌
our Fil has that smile on his dial every song he covers...yep, he's into his music alrighty...real good ..
is this the first video you watched? every video is like that
His passion is so genuine and sort of , obvious. 🎵
The reason Elvis Was banned from SNL was NBC, who hosted SNL was owned by General Electric who owned a ton of commercial radio stations and “Radio, Radio” was a rant against commercial radio with lines like “You either shut up or get cut out;
they don't wanna hear about it.
It's only inches on the reel-to-reel.
And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools
tryin' to anaesthetise the way that you feel”
Ann, nah. It was definitely flipping the metaphorical bird at one of General Electric’s moneymakers, commercial radio.
My first introduction to Elvis (Costello) was hearing, "Pump It Up". So many years later, I can't stop appreciating his songwriting talents. 🙂 The fact that he's a Liverpudlian (like my favorite group) doesn't hurt. 😉 I remember when he was banned from SNL for awhile because he was supposed to sing a particular song and stopped his set to sing a different one (I think it was about radio). What daring. 😂 Thanks for this, Fil. 🙂 Edited: I wrote this before I saw your whole video, so sorry for the redundancy. 🙃
Songwriting, arrangement, and production: Elvis is, in many ways, deserving of the Jimmy Page Award For Musical Entirety.
I appreciate you analyzing this song because for some reason I missed it back when, Elvis Costello along with the whole band are just flat-out wonderful.
Elvis Costello was my music hero. He is no doubt the godfather of British New Wave. No one sounded like him, and his song writing was incredible. The attractions were a great band. Elvis made it cool to look like a dork with attitude who made music, Harold Lloyd glasses etc. My buds and I in high school were kinda punk dorks, so took to Costello immediately. His first 3 albums are masterpieces.
I saw Squeeze open for Elvis Costello. Elvis was very good but Squeeze was exceptionally great.
"Pulling mussels" my fave from them. 👍
@Ann It really war. I went in not ever even hearing Squeeze. Came out a fan for life.
Squeeze...love their song "Tempted"
Wow great show!
NuclearGrizzly jealous!
His early sound with the Attractions was like stepping into a time machine visiting a place vague and familiar somewhere near the cusp of pre-psychedelia...strange and distant, yet recognizable with certain forgotten elements. It was cheery and staggering from measure to measure, bar to bar...
Flashback to 'olde school' 80's! Ok, why not it is Elvis Costello after all. Ultra cool voice. TY Fil. ☺
I was just about to request Elvis and I found this video!! My all time favorite artist!! Thank you for doing Elvis!!
Please analyze Squeeze and the amazing guitar playing of Glenn Tilbrook.
Pulling Muscles from a Shell
Black Coffee in Bed.
@@johnm3152 Squeezes best.
Gifford & Tilbrook, the two most underrated songwriters, possibly of all time.
Oh yes! Cool for Cats!
Thanks for showcasing Elvis. You're on your way to getting a silver play button from youtube 🧤
Loved Elvis Costello back in the day..still do! I like his later stuff too..but nothing better than cranking up "pump it up" !
Phenomenal performance & fantastic analyses... That smile says so much! 😊
Love Elvis & his unique style❤️ Veronica is an amazing song, brilliant & extremely deep.
I adore so much of his music.
Someone else mentioned Joe Jackson, another musician I absolutely LOVE & who I thought of while watching Elvis. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don't know why... Possibly because their careers were started around the same time.
Speaking of Joe, I love his song Got The Time & Anthrax 's cover of it, lol.
I don't know, Fil, his accent sounds very British to my 'Murican ear. Very similar to early Joe Jackson (not surprising), also a sneer in the voice that one hears in many older British Punk bands.
Totally agree that band is spot on in every way supporting Elvis and allowing him freedom to sing and play
"Alison" from his debut album is one of my favorite songs of all time. What a talented song writer.
Brilliant analysis once again Wings of Pegasus! I loved Elvis Costello during his "Angry Young Man"/"New Wave" phase (1977-1979). His albums, "My aim is true", "This Years Model" and "Armed Forces " cannot be topped in my opinion. I have listened to all his other albums over the years, but nothing compares to his first 3. I appreciate the fact that he became eclectic, but those early records have something very special about them. In my mind, they capture his true essence. The lyrics, the melodies and the attitude were very unique. I feel that a lot of his other work sounds forced where he is trying to incorporate earlier British and American musical styles in order to appear credible and relevant as a songwriter. Instead of being the voice of my generation, he became what I would call "old people's music". There is no doubt that lot of his later material is musically very sophisticated, but I feel that his musical delivery became very contrived, especially his habit of deliberately singing "behind the beat" and the over-affected vibrato in his voice. I preferred his puns, acerbic wit, wordplay and natural style of singing on those early records. You could hear the anger and sarcasm in his voice and you knew he meant it. I think that true fans would know exactly what I mean. Keep up the great work man. I love your channel!
Thanks!
I watch and comment a lot on your channel and being an old old school punk rock an roller I've appreciated Elvis Costello for at least being ahead of the curve for new music (so to speak) in the 70's. Once again great research and back story. Big fan of you both. Keep on doing your videos.
one more note into disco's demise, Great one Fil, 120, 000 subs by 2020, Jeff in LA USA
Haha I don't think so, that's only a few months away! Maybe by the end of 2020!
Loved his ("What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding".
Elvis's version of that Nick Lowe song is the best!
@@barbarazeee490 Truth
It’s on my top 10 all time list of pop/rock music songs.
seen EC and the attractions 1978 nyc, wow what a band live. thanks Fil.
I also like Elvis's later work as guitarist and vocals for Diana Krall, his wife. He does Jazz well.
There was a live CD of performances he did with just his keyboard player. There were 5 CDs in it recorded in 5 different cities.
Thank you for helping us enjoy and appreciate elvis c even more!
Elvis was so abstract in his creativity.
Little Hands of Concrete. What a brilliant writer and singer.
New subscriber and glad to be here. 58 year old singer songwriter from Miles City Montana. I've stumbled across your videos from time to time, and always dug your positive outlook. So tonight I'm watching one of your tracks and hit the sub button, I was so happy to find you had a search engine! I typed in my guy Elvis and had about the best 20 mins I had in a while.....sometimes you rivet heads get it right!
Loved this. Just saw him earlier in the week, for maybe the tenth time? Can’t even remember. It was a great set with a lot of deep cuts.
One of my early favorites. One can't say enough about Elvis Costello. Thanks for this one, Fil!
I bought my cool stereo in78 and this was the first record played on it!!
Gawd they all look so young! Great tune by a great artist. Elvis C. one of my favs!
Another great one!
An original. Talented and intelligent. In the 1980s he recorded a wonderful aural riot called The Other Side of Summer which should have been a monster hit. Watching this makes me wish I'd heard him and The Attractions live in the 70s/80s.
Great analysis as usual. Congrats Fil.
Wow, what an analysis!! That was crazy informative, amazing. You're so dreamy, Fil 😍
The other side of summer- “Was it a millionaire who said "imagine no possessions"?
A poor little schoolboy who said "we don't need no lessons"?”
So much wicked lyrical genius!
This and so many others...pure genius
omg! can't believe i didn't spot this in your vaults sooner, Fil. No word of a lie - seeing Elvis Costello and the B52's on SNL changed my life. I was like, "finally someone is making music for me". Early on, SNL was very groundbreaking with their musical guests. Mostly because members like Akroyd were so passionate about music.
That was a great SNL switcheroo by Elvis. In the late 70s, the King ruled but wasn't ever as popular as he deserved to be. After Trust in 1981, he went down hill pretty fast as a crooner. I guess he didn't want to keep doing the same thing but he was the best at that. He did do a beautiful version of Burt Bacharach's "I just don't know what to do with myself" so I am not against all crooners. You provide a lot of details of his career for those of us who hadn't thought of him much lately. Thanks, Fil
The clip of his return to SNL after 20+ years of banishment is well worth tracking down, what with him busting into the Beastie Boys' performance of "Sabotage" to play "Radio Radio" with them backing him up.
Many thanks for so much info, you mentioned Linda Ronstadt and David Letterman , he had Linda Emmylou and Dolly on his show singing Neil Young’s After The Goldrush, from their Trio ll album, Dennis James was playing a Glass Armonica designed by Benjamin Franklin when here at Cambridge , he got Marianne Davies to play it, later he went to Paris with Marianne, she taught Marie Antoinette to play the Glass Armonica, Elvis once said Love Hurts by Gram Parsons and Emmylou was one of the best duets ever, he got to sing it with Emmy at The Grand Ole Opry, 2005/6, Gram passed away 36 years ago yesterday , Elvis was pictured with MOLLY TUTTLE this week, he gets everywhere 🎸🎸🎸
Thank you for this Fil. Awesome. I first saw Elvis and The Attractions live in Vancouver this same year of 1978. That show changed my life. Such incredible musicians. And Elvis, one of truly great songwriters of rock music.
Another excellent trip down memory lane. Thanks Fil
Elvis Costello had a cable tv show a few years back. His performance with Lou Reed was outstanding. A lot of my friends were not enamored with new wave, bet he blew me away.
Oh No: The Costello tv show was "Spectacle" and he had quite a wide range of performers on, Elton John, the Police and Richard Thompson, to name a few. Elvis had to sit in between Sting and Stewart Copeland, who clearly wanted to kill each other!
Thanks Fil!!...I love Elvis Costello! Veronica and Everyday I Write The Book are the hits I remember as a child of MTV! I know he's married to Diana Krall who is a fabulous musician/vocalist! I went back on a little Trek into his early years, so much about his career I didn't know....✌❤🤘
One of my favorite musicians ...1 of my favorite voices
I meant to say era . Fil , it is so good you are out there doing this. You are bringing all sorts of people and music styles together . As Cole Porter said ...Anything Goes . 🎙🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🍸🍸🤣
excellent video ! you describe the recipe ,,, and we learn ! outstanding !
Such great talent came out of that Brit punk / new wave scene period.
Elvis Costello.
Ian Dury.
Joe Strummer.
Paul Weller.
Wilko Johnson.
Lee Brilleaux.
The list is endless.
Joe Jackson.
GRAHAM F'N PARKER The " Best kept secret in the west ! "
One of my favorite Analyses You’re the best Fil Thanks
Thanks!
Elvis in Eric's in Liverpool, late 1977. What a performance. Hooked ever since.
Oh, you did do a Declan MacManus analysis!
That is by far the hardest I have ever heard Elvis Costello & The Attractions sound.
Thank you so much for this one I love Elvis Costello!
Elvis Costello is far more than the British Dylan ... he could spit lyrics like a hip-hop star, but they had the sly sophistication of Donald Fagen (Steely Dan). I saw him live in New York around 1980 for a 90-minute show. They took no breaks, it was intense. It shortchanged him to lump him in with the other "new wave" artists as "punk". By 1982, he became even more artistic.
Love Elvis!
He is so fantastic, thanks for this!
Love Elvis Costello's percussive guitar lead lines here. Great video, Fil!
I remember buying his first record back in the day...
Here in the States, Costello's 1st LP record initially did not included "Watching the Detectives", it was only found on the British record release (or maybe as a B-side on one of the 45rpm singles, "Allison" perhaps? Can't quite remember....). Which was frustrating; I remember hearing "Watching the Detectives" on the radio at some point but you couldn't easily buy it.
good 'un 👍 Back then in 78’ I just got the 45 single for “Allison”... not totally sure if that was his first US single. Later in the 90s I got the Reissued CD of ‘My Aim Is True’ with the country songs that they wouldn’t let him release back in the 70s...
great analysis, fil!
Always a fan Fil of Elvis Costello. Tight band and a great vibe.
It was Linda Ronstadt’s version of Allison that impressed me with Costello’s talent. It seems to me that the artist’s with a strong work ethic, and extreme talent, have the best chance at surviving the rock lifestyle and having a long career. I’m sorry to hear of his cancer diagnosis. I wish him the best of health for many years to come. Thanks Fil!
Informative analysis Fil, I've learn a few things tonight on Elvis Costello. cool performance by all. thanks for another analysis video.
Great analysis, as always. Pete Thomas, when learning Elvis's songs, would ask for the lyrics. His drumming cleverly complements the vocal lines. Elvis's work with the Brodsky Quartet deserves mention - he worked with them longer than the Attractions.
Really like Elvis Costello, and haven't listened to nearly enough of his work. Allison sufficed to make me a lifelong fan, melody, expression and voice. Thanks for some new things to listen for from Elvis Costello, as if his songwriters showcase show weren't enough. Prolific indeed!
Listen to Imperial Bedroom. It was coproduced by Geoff Emerick of Beatles fame. It's his Sgt Pepper production type album with a phenomenal set of songs
I was a fan of Elvis Costello from the start (Stiff Records!), but must confess I've not kept up with everything he's done over a long career. I heard today that he won a songwriter award at the 2019 Americana Awards in Nashville, TN. Brilliant songwriter and a unique singer. AND yes in the late 70's I listened to prog, jazz fusion, reggae, punk, post punk, hard rock, country rock, et al. If you love music, you LOVE all types of music.
Fil, Patti Smith then The Cars, now Elvis Costello After Neil Diamond and a little after Van Morrison. Quite eclectic. Good for your kind of show. Mission statement- 'Ill listen to any semi good to great performance of a great artist.
Bravo. Excellent analysis as per usual.
Thanks so much for analyzing this suggestion of mine Fil. Such a great performance, love the "Space Invader" impression Elvis does in the mid section. The Attractions are also soo in sync as a band here.
Costello has covered so many different styles of music during his lengthy career . The only other artist that has taken a similar path would be Joe Jackson. I need to search for a clip !
What a great band! These complicated arrangements in jazz or rock, can go off the rails really quickly if the bass or drummer aren't "spot on" as you always say. Really top notch live performance. BTW, he also managed to get the beautiful and talented jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall to marry him! Now that's talent.
Great job, Fil. Got to see Elvis at Hard Rock Orlando c. 1998. Acoustic show, Roger McGuinn his guest artist. Brought the house down! Thanks!
Great stuff again Fil. I still have my vinyl copies of My Aim is True and This Year's Model!
Fire! Indeed, one *is* unique by default by simply doing what comes naturally to them. An artist friend of mine made the very same point many years ago, which I have always remembered. New wave musicians tended to be very underrated due to their admirable aversion to ass-wanking, and these guys were certainly among the best, and could go toe-to-toe with any band in any genre at this time. And Elvis himself has kept getting better and better as a guitarist and even keyboard player (see Roy Orbison's Black and White Night).
Great song! Another one (near to that era) is "Lip Service".
Elvis sounding so good live
Way cool Fil, seen EC and the attractions in 78 nyc palladium. always thought british bands were so tight. great songs and a maximum volume, cheers.
Nice! This is my favorite Elvis Costello tune. Really enjoy his early material.
Elvis is my IDOL! The REAL King of Rock and Roll!!