Review of ACLU performance www.sonicnet.com, 1998-09-10 - Carolyn Kellog Costello Rocks ACLU Free-Speech Benefit Dinner Elvis Costello previewed upcoming Burt Bacharach collaboration and Courtney Love tore her dress. Correspondent Carolyn Kellogg reports: LOS ANGELES -- Elvis Costello's solo performance was the highlight of a benefit for the American Civil Liberties Union held Tuesday in Beverly Hills that also served as a tribute dinner for Mercury Records Group President Danny Goldberg. Courtney Love, who arrived late, took the honors for the most glamorous glitterata attending. "I want to acknowledge my admiration for the much-maligned group, Hollywood liberals," said guest-of-honor Goldberg as he accepted the Torch of Liberty award which was pesented to him as part of the benefit. He was referring to many of the 600 guests at the event, which, along with singer/songwriters Costello and Love, included other music industry players and renowned Los Angeles liberals. The ACLU of Southern California reaped more than $650,000 from the benefit. Hosted by Michael Moore, creator of such humorous, politically minded documentaries as "Roger & Me," the fundraiser also honored longtime activist Margery Tabankin, who currently heads director Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation. The dinner featured appearances by California State Assembly Chairman Antonio Villaraigosa, liberal stalwart Stanley Sheinbaum and ASCAP President Marilyn Bergman. After all the speeches, which included numerous accolades for Goldberg, Costello took the stage. The pop icon -- whose new collaboration with composer Burt Bacharach, Painted From Memory, will be released on Sept. 29 by Mercury Records -- wore a black suit, black shirt, purple tie and red-lensed glasses. The slim, clean-shaven Costello was a ringer for the new wave guru he was 20 years ago. He accompanied himself on guitar, chatting amiably between songs and joining Moore in making a few jokes at President Clinton's expense. "This song has been in the works for about 18 months," he said, introducing "Toledo," a collaboration with Bacharach. "It's about a man facing the moment where he has to confess his infidelity. We didn't imagine at the time that we were writing topical songs." Costello sang powerfully, his voice as clear as ever. He completed his short set with his Nick Lowe-penned classic "(What's so Funny 'bout) Peace Love and Understanding," saying it applied to the push for peace in Ireland. He wryly suggested that Clinton, who recently visited that country, had learned all he knows about Irish folklore from Lord of the Dance. "For those of you unfamiliar with Lord of the Dance, it's sort-of like a Celtic Triumph of the Will," he jibed. During the ceremonies, Goldberg -- looking relaxed and casual -- read his thank-you remarks from the teleprompters. He acknowledged the guidance of his "loving and cosmic" parents and also thanked his wife, music attorney Rosemary Carroll, for her patience. His heartfelt remarks downplayed his longtime fight for free speech, notably against censorship in music. He left the stage to a standing ovation. In her typical fashion, the irascible Love arrived late and lingered outside the dining room, fiddling with her dress. Though her first Hole album in four years, Celebrity Skin, had just hit record stores that day, Love seemed right then more concerned with her wardrobe than her record sales. "It's a Vera Wang," she said, referring to her outfit. "I got it today but it ripped." She waved a trailing piece of the gauzy, lavender fabric sadly. "I think I need a safety pin." With pink rhinestones in her hair, viciously high shoes and a stunning new figure, Love was easily the most glamorous in attendance. However, she was not necessarily the most controversial. During his opening remarks, Moore created a bit of a stir with several jokes about Clinton's scandalous affair with a White House intern. Later, offstage, Moore said the uneasy response to his quips was understandable. "I don't think liberals want to hear that Clinton is done for," Moore said. "He's only got a few weeks left in office." Among the other notables who attended the event were Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, who left early; actor Mike Farrell, an anti-death penalty activist; actor Tim Reid and Oscar-winning director Robert Wise ("The Sound of Music"). While the celebrities in attendance were plentiful, it was Costello who perhaps left the greatest impression on the crowd. "I can't give you an unbiased opinion of Elvis' performance," grinned Lee Masters, chairman of E! Entertainment and current head of the ACLU Foundation, a post held in the past by actor Burt Lancaster and Goldberg. "I'm such a fan. I really liked the new Bacharach song he played."