The Elvis Costello Home Page |
home - bibliography
- biography - clips
- concert reviews - discography
- faq - gigography
- guestbook info services - links - lyrics/chords - pictures - recent - shop - trading - upcoming - what's new |
|
|
Review of Kojak Variety A VERY AMIABLE ALBUMThe big difference between EC and other artists in the same establishment is that he is still an impassionated music-lover, a deadly devoted fan who purchases some 3,000 records each year, while most of his colleagues since long have forgotten why they started playing in the first place. There is accordingly a certain logic in the fact that this - since ong expected - album of song interpretations is so much better, and more enjoyable, than all - and I mean all - other cover-albums that have been released during the last 20 years. Costello is driven by lust and love, while Rod [Stewart] is driven by sleepy routine; he wants to preach and spread knowledge, while Elton is only looking for new bucks. But most of all: he knows of an ocean of undiscovered classics, while Eric Clapton regards "Dark end of the street" as beeing obscure. KV hosts 15 more or less unknown, but without exception brilliant - and splendidly performed - compositions by such widely diversed composers as Ray Davies, Nat King Cole, Moose Alison, Randy Newman and Little Richard. Best of all are Bacharach/Davids painfully melancholic "Please stay" and Little Willie Johns smashing "Leave my kitten alone". Second best are Costellos affectionated sleeve-notes. They prove that he could have been a brilliant music writer. As well. A very, very amiable album. (and a very amiable review) |
|||
|
home - bibliography
- biography - clips
- concert reviews - discography
- faq - gigography
- guestbook info services - links - lyrics/chords - pictures - recent - shop - trading - upcoming - what's new |