Review of concert at Seattle, WA, Paramount Theatre on 1999-05-26
Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve
- Odegaard, Greg M. [GMOdegaa@RMC.com]

 

 

Seattle, WA, Paramount Theatre on 1999-05-26

 

I attended an event last night by myself, but yet was amongst thousands of friends. A very special event as all Elvis Costello concerts certainly are, but this was something truly unique.

  I am new to the list today, having accessed the website for years. I first purchased a tape of Aim in early August 1977, on the recommendation of a friend, at the age of 13. Within moments I knew this was the performer for me, bar none. Acts such as Squeeze, Any Trouble (along with Clive's solo work) Nick and Dave Edmunds helped fill in the gaps, but it always comes back to Mr. Costello. I first attended an EC show in this very building (The Paramount) in January 1981 on the Mugs tour (opening act Squeeze of course, with numerous EC jams at the end) which was still the very best of EC. A truly phenomenal musical experience, that not until last night hadn't quite been replicated for emotional impact. I have seen EC only a few times since, each show as wonderful as expected.

  To understand the show and my mood, please know that in 1981 the Paramount in Seattle was in very poor shape, and EC and the boys were at if not, near the peak of their early years. Trust had just hit the street, along with his work on Squeeze's release, it didn't get much better on vinyl, and the show I attended was TIGHT and high energy. The Paramount has since been completely redone inside and is a true show palace, a jewel in the Seattle entertainment scene. My point is that EC went from being young and fresh, playing in a dark, dusty old theater, and truly blowing the roof off the old lady, to last night being even better now playing in a perfectly restored venue, befitting his talent. The "environment" could not have been more perfect.

  My "friends" and I anticipated this magnificent show, I having read all the reviews on the recent tour, along with playlists, only priming the pump, with a great fervor. I met before hand the young gentleman who wrote about the prior nights show in Vancouver, getting some valuable insight on what to expect. I trust he enjoyed the evening as much as I.

  Much has been written about the songs, the musical intent and outcome of EC working only with Steve, in a nearly acoustical format, so I can't offer much to this regard, expect to say that this was my first EC show in this manner, and with him as well as myself maturing greatly in the past 18 years, it befits his talents perfectly. Doubts of any complete musical perfection and ability were put to rest in a Shallow Grave. Elvis was among friends, his people, and I cannot imagine, nor maybe could I want to, the concept of at least for a couple hours you have the complete attention of a few thousand devoted fans, hanging on every note, word and wink. The power he beholds as a pure Entertainer is very difficult to describe. Why does any of us like his music so well? That too maybe hard to describe, but it is clear he speaks to us, either individually or as a group of a few thousands chums, and either on vinyl, CD or in person, Mr. Costello is the Man.

  If anyone would like more detail, please let me know. I can offer one critical thing for anyone near to an upcoming show, change plans and hock the china, but be at that show, because from this fan it is something not to be missed. Having EC either a few feet or a few hundred from you singing his most brilliant of works is what music is.

  If the performer himself is out there, thank you for more than 20 years of entertainment and the little Bill Gates reference (in Seattle) was a hoot as well. Always as timely as today's news.

  Now off to Eugene.

  "I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused"

  Greg Odegaard
gmodegaa@rmc.com