Elvis Costello's long-delayed covers collection _Kojak Variety_
(Warner Bros, four stars) - recorded in 1990 and widely bootlegged since
(note from me: gosh, who would do such a thing?  Not a real fan,
certainly...) - not only avoids most of the pitfalls inherent in such
projects, but also manages to add a meaningful chapter to the artist's
ouevre.  The quirkily personalized song selections - 15 non-hits borrowed
from the likes of Williw Dixon, James Carr, Randy Newman, the Supremes and
Screamin' Jay Hawkins, including a previously released reading of Ray
Davies' "Days" - drives Costello and his stellar sidemen to consistently
smart and soulful interpretations, but the fact that _Kojak Variety_ is far
superior to Costello's 1981 country-standards misfire _Almost Blue_ has
less to do with stylistic variety than with Costello's maturation into a
generous and expressive performer.

Then it adds, same paragraph:

On the other hand, Duran Duran's long-in-the-works tribute to their
forefathers, _Thank You_ (Capitol, one star) is well-intentioned and makes
some interesting choices - including a Costello tune - but sucks anyway.