Review of LA concert on 1996-08-27
Reuters New Media, 1996-08-29

   Thursday August 29 9:02 AM EDT

REVIEW/PERFORMANCE: Elvis Costello Breathes New Life Into Oldies



   Elvis Costello & the Attractions (Universal Amphitheatre; 6,127
   capacity: $32.50)

   By Troy J. Augusto

   HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Elvis Costello has never been a slave to album
   versions of his songs when he plays live, but Tuesday's show, the
   first of two for him and his better-than-ever Attractions at
   Universal, was a dynamic, sometimes spectacular trip to previously
   undiscovered nuances and versatility in the man's oeuvre.

   At more than two hours, including 45 minutes of encore, the show
   rarely dragged. A new and vibrant psychedelic layer has been slipped
   into songs from throughout Costello's 19-year career, adding further
   intrigue to the unplugged arrangements heard during Elvis' spring tour
   with keyboardist Steve Nieve. From such nuggets as ``Mystery Dance'',
   from 1977's ``My Aim Is True'', to ``The Other End of the Telescope''
   from Costello's recent ``All This Useless Beauty'' album (Warner
   Bros.), most every number was reconfigured.

   A new walking blues bass line enlivened ``Clown Strike'', the
   boisterous ``13 Steps Lead Down'' featured the ending of 1978's
   ``Radio Radio'', while the new ``Distorted Angel'' and oldie ``(I
   Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea'' were spun into a terrific medley that
   climaxed with the Isley Brothers' ``Who's That Lady''. Costello's
   ever-loyal Attractions, the trio whose music helped propel him to the
   top of the burgeoning late-'70s alternative rock scene, were as
   in-the-pocket as ever, powerful and heavy when the song demanded, and
   experimental as well.

   Costello has said recently this may be his last full tour, and that
   his music career may even soon be over, facts that add further credit
   to the risk-taking show undertaken here.



   Presented by MCA Concerts. Band: Costello, Steve Nieve, Bruce Thomas,
   Pete Thomas. Reviewed Aug. 27, 1996.