Review of concert from 2002-07-24: Lecce, Italy, Palazzo dei Celstini - with Imposters
- Joseph Pennington

 

Lecce Show a Jewel

Elvis Costello's shows are always very good. Sometimes they're great. And then there are those rare nights when everything falls into place to make for an electrifying performance. Such was the case July 24 in the small southern Italian town of Lecce, located in the "lower heel" of the Italian boot.

The venue, the small courtyard of a 15th century palace in the heart of Lecce's beautiful historic center, was splendid. The small but enthusiastic crowd of about 800 represented a cross-section of the town: dancing teenagers, fashionably-dressed businessmen, local politicians, Italian grandmothers, and everyone in between. Very few in the crowd knew much about Costello's music (the only songs that were immediately recognized were "Alison" and, curiously, "Almost Blue"), but they seemed to embrace each song as a new experience to be savored. The reaction seemed to inspire Costello and the Imposters as the evening went along. Costello became increasingly expressive, smiling broadly, acting out lyrics that would otherwise been lost on the crowd, and leading numerous singalongs and handclaps.

The relaxed rapport between band and audience did nothing to detract from the intensity of the musical performance. Highlights from the early part of the set included a beautiful version of "New Lace Sleeves," the hypnotic thump of "When I Was Cruel No. 2," (punctuated by an improbable rant of "My Funny Valentine" still accompanied by Mina's trance-inducing sound loop), and a "Tear Off Your Own Head" that nearly brought down the house. Costello won over any remaining doubters by singing the second refrain of "All This Useless Beauty" in perfect Italian -- a conceit that met with wild applause. The band closed the set with a blistering "Dust...2" in which Costello let loose on a rare, extensive guitar solo that should bury the self-parodying moniker "Little Hands of Concrete" once and for all.

After a brief first encore highlighted by rollicking runs through Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love and Understanding" and "Radio Radio," Costello delivered two of the evening's best surprises -- a super-slow, wonderful version of "Almost Blue" (capped by Steve Nieve's brilliant harmonium solo) and "God Give Me Strength" that brought Costello's ever-improving voice into sharp relief. After a wild "15 Petals," in which the band seemed on the verge of veering out of control, Costello returned to the stage for "Alibi," complete with 800 non-English-speakers chanting every refrain. He seemed on the verge of closing the show with a dark but compelling version of "I Want You." Apparently, though, Costello had enjoyed the performance too much to leave his new-found fans on such a down note. Just as he appeared ready to step away from the mike for a final, obsessed cry of "I Want You," the music changed and the band launched into "Smile," perhaps a more fitting set-closer on such an innocent evening.

When the last note sounded, Costello waved, shouted "Grazie Mille," and walked off into the Italian night. The audience filed out, not quite believing how lucky they had been to stumble on such a jewel of a show. And bassist Davey Farragher was spotted an hour later strolling through the center of town with a gelato.

Joseph Pennington