Review of concert from 2002-07-17: Melbourne, Concert Hall -
with Imposters
Inpress, 2002-07-31
- Jayson Argall
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Elvis Costello pic by Julia Wilson |
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ELVIS COSTELLO THE CONCERT HALL
Firstly Dan Greenwood provided a solid, engaging set, by no means overawed
by the situation. Her minimalist approach behind the piano, backed only
by bass and drums/ percussion, seemed to compliment her strong songwriting,
for the songs never seemed vacuous, and at times evoked the tortured
charm of Aimee Mann, whilst the closer had Tori Amos' spit shined stilettos
stamped all over it.
To the odd yet oddly exciting strains of the William Tell Overture
yodelled, Elvis and the Imposters ran onto stage and belted out some
lively numbers, including a more rock than rock steady Watching the
Detectives early on, yet it was met with contained applause at best.
Whether it was the refined surrounds that restrained the mass of concert
goers, or the fact that it was second night and thus beset by the curious
instead of the furiously eager, it was quite bizarre to watch a great
artist in full flight met with moderate appreciation. Yet on he persisted,
determined to break the crowd out of their comfort zone. What was interesting
was the manner in which he set about his task. Testament to the strength
of his recent songs, and indeed the faith he bestows upon them, recent
numbers Alibi and Tart were standouts, given the prolonged,
broken down treatment, where Elvis removed himself from the mic and
waltzed about the stage still singing, his incredible voice clearly
resonating about the plush seats and carpet. It was a privilege to have
heard these tracks solidify themselves as classics before our very ears,
sounding stronger and more salient than staples such as I Don't Want
To Go To Chelsea.
Yet still the crowd was reluctant to let themselves go. Elvis reminded
them that it was O.K. to dance, and during the next track one overtly
confident and overtly beautiful punter adorned the stage and proceeded
to shimmy and go-go herself alongside Elvis, gesticulating to the crowd
in a manner that left one assuming she wasn't the shyest of all God's
fragile creatures. In fact, I'm sure she was grateful that she made
those solarium and $340 hairdressing appointments earlier that day (saucer
of milk...blah blah blah). Yet to her credit, something she no doubt
affords herself more than a platinum AMEX; (hiss, scratch ... ), she
got the crowd going. People started leaving their seats and amassed
at the side of the stage. And when Elvis broke into Oliver's Army
at the start of the encore, nearly every person in the stalls was
standing and dancing. This first of 4 (?!) encores was the late 70s
new wave rock component of the show, where we didn't have time to adjust
our newly tinted quiffs before renditions of Accidents Will Happen,
Miracle Man, What's So Funny (About Peace, Love and Understanding)
and Pump It Up amongst others were belted out in breathless
succession. 2 hours and 30 minutes after the start of the show, Elvis
concluded this memorable night with a fanatical, bordering on maniacal
version of I Want You, the eerie torch below chin lighting enhancing
his unblinking passion, and I left the Concert Hall with slightly shaking
legs, a silly grin and a fan's gratification.
- Jayson Argall