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Review of Almost Blue, Goodbye Cruel World and Kojak Variety re-releases
Q, 2004-09-01
- John Aizlewood

 

Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Almost Blue
EDSEL
***
Goodbye Cruel World
EDSEL
**** (Q recommends)
Elvis Costello
Kojak Variety
WARNER STRATEGIC MARKETING
**

Three well-packaged mid-period albums.

Each of these albums is now accompanied by a much longer extra disc, plus a lengthy accompanied Costello essay. 1981's countrified Almost Blue was the first indication Costello's aim was wider than his peers. However, as Nashville told him in no uncertain terms, not even second-disc duets with George Jones and Johnny Cash could make him a decent country singer. 1984's Goodbye Cruel World has aged surprisingly well and disc 2's Turning The Town Red is the great lost Costello song. Finally, 1995's tired covers orgy Kojak Variety is a salient reminder that knowledge does not always equate to taste. JOHN AIZLEWOOD

Essential Track (from Goodbye Cruel World): Truning The Town Red

 
         
 

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