Review of concert from 2002-05-26: Angels Camp, CA, Calaveras County Fairgrounds - with the Imposters
Rocktime, 2002-06-01
- Nick Running

 

MOUNTAIN AIRE MUSIC FESTIVAL

5/26/2002
CALAVERAS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
ANGEL'S CAMP, CA.

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The truth is, I was most excited to see Elvis Costello as he doesn't come around here too often. It was even more fantastic than I had hoped as he opened his set by playing a "45." This new song totally rocked out and set the mood, it's the first on his latest CD release titled, "When I Was Cruel." Then he jumped right into the time warp machine to bestow upon us the songs we know and love. Playing old classics from his 1977debut album "Waiting for the End of the World" and "Watching the Detectives." Elvis went right back to the second song off the the new album, a song we can all relate too (some more than others), called "Spooky Girlfriend." A trademark Elvis song with all the umpph and contrast you can get from a veteran songwriter/guitarist at the top of his game.

The Imposters sounded great and the few people who were there to see Elvis were ecstatic. This English rocker lit the dusky sky up with with his electric eyes as he stared the crowd down. Elvis Costello turns the blues upside down and dumps them into his slightly punk rock and overly rebellious nature. The byproduct is a lifetime of musical inspiration and fiery passion that reveals a montage celebrating the eccentric. I think that most of the crowd came to the festival to see Trey Anastaio, lead guitarist from the now defunct band Phish. But, I think that everybody who took the time to check out Elvis Costello left with an appreciation for his music and a thirst for more in the future. A great artist, a great performance and lots of room to dance right up front with a great view of the band. Elvis ended the first set with a "Chelsea," "15 Petals," "Tart" and the title track from 2002 Island Records release "When I Was Cruel." The first set was more than enough for to encourage the crowd to stick around. The break was about fifteen minutes and then all aboard for classic 1977 Elvis as he opened the second set with "(The Angels wanna wear my) Red Shoes." Just out of sight, Costello performing with original members of The Attractions. So many years later and their sound unchanged as Elvis' voice has held such constancy throughout a lengthy and illustrious career in rock and roll. The old Elvis is back after a less than satisfying collaboration with Burt Bacharach in 1998. His old bandmates have rekindled the chemistry that makes this performer shine.

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