Review of concert from 2002-04-21: Chicago, Tower Records, Clark Street
- David Sadowski

 

What a Workaholic

My son Brian and I just got back from EC's in-store appearance and signing this afternoon at Tower Records on Clark. With his beatbox, guitar, and tape machine, Elvis played SIX rockin' tunes instead of the three that were advertised. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait TOO long outside in the rain beforehand.

The guy must be quite a workaholic. At WXRT earlier, he played DJ, talking about the new record, playing a few tunes on acoustic and even reading ads. 400 people got to hear the in-store and by the end of the afternoon he was scheduled to sign 1000 autographs... then play later at House of Blues. Now, THAT'S dedication.

He mentioned how all his guitars had been ruined in a flood... I think he still has a price tag hanging off one of the guitars he did play.

Setlist:
1. Spooky Girlfriend
2. Tart
3. 15 Petals
4. Dust 2...
5. Tear Off Your Own Head (It's a Doll Revolution)
6. Watching the Detectives

It took about an hour thereafter to wait in line. The Tower staff told everyone to organize themselves in line "numerically-" that was a complete joke! Like a crowd of 400 people are going to organize themselves into numeric order without assistance? They could've at least made some announcements on the PA to help get this done...

I was surprised that nothing was presigned, I don't know how you can play guitar after signing 1000 autographs... and he was happily personalizing stuff too. Still, he can write pretty quick and they were keeping everyone moving right along.

I told him that my son was named after Brian Wilson... and that I'd seen him first time he ever played Chicago. My son was actually quite good this afternoon for an eleven year old and quite patient with the whole thing.

Unfortunately when the time came to meet the man, my son wouldn't shake hands... so Elvis wrote on his CD insert, "To Brian... Look Up!!! Elvis Costello." He also drew a picture of a couple of wide-open eyes on there too.

They're not giving out the CDs until Tuesday... today it was just signed inserts. We will have to bring the vouchers back to exchange for discs. Still, I've already heard the whole record and it's brilliant.