Review of concert at Carre Theatre, Amsterdam on 1999-04-12
Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve
- Wouter Pronk [wpronk@trendbox.nl]

 

Wow, back from 7th heaven.

Ec in Amsterdam last night.

Opening for him was indeed Ron Sexsmith, solo, and not yet quite up to it. His playing and voice were not in the best of shape yet. To me he seemed a bit "rusty". It is always nice to see and hear him, so I was quite pleased nonetheless. A part of the audience didn't seem to agree though as they cheered when Ron announced his last song of the evening. Ron was reaffirming that his new album is going to be released next month, so now there's another thing to look out for.

After a short break Elvis and Steve came on stage, both totally in black. I'm afraid I haven't written down a complete setlist, but he certainly did play these songs (this is definitely not in order):

Why Can't A Man Stand Alone? (opener) - Elvis proves he is in great vocal form
Temptation - "regular" new SN arrangement
Toledo
Girls Talk - more faithful to Dave Edmunds' version than his own, that's what I thought when I heard it yesterday. I may be completely wrong though. I am most of the time ;-)
Radio Sweetheart - yeah, we had to sing along too :-)
God's Comic - although we know the story by now, it's still a great song
Inch By Inch
I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea
This Year's Model (Girl?)
Accidents Will Happen - "regular" new arrangement, part of Tulsa included.
This House Is Empty Now
Tears At The Birthday Party
Poor Fractured Atlas
Alison
Watching The Detectives
Indoor Fireworks - I'm almost positive about this one, not 100% sure.Can anyone back me up on this one?
Almost Blue
[the song Steve & Elvis wrote together; now why can't I seem to remember the title at the moment - Passionate Fight, right?
I Want You - breathtaking as always
All This Useless Beauty
Deep Dark Truthful Mirror
Shallow Grave
Veronica
God Give Me Strength
Painted From Memory
Talking In The Dark
Couldn't Call It Unexpected #4 - yes, still without mic; yeah, still fucking great! (closer of the show)

Overall he was in a great mood. The crowd certainly appreciated the whole show a lot. Right from the start they (we) were very much into it, although I did see some people around me who were not that familiar with his older work (make that: his work before PFM): remember This House Is Empty Now was somewhat of a hit in Holland. Elvis had to come back for three encores, and that while another show (fundraiser for Kosovo) was about to start within the hour.

Great fun.

To be repeated in London in two days.