Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Australia on 1999-01-28 Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve - Steve Coffey A Good Night for the Roses. The Capitol Theatre was resplendent in its neo-classical interior design, sharp dressed ushers scurrying between guests under fake stars twinkling from the deep, deep blue of the ceiling. On the darkened stage stood a grand piano, keyboard and three guitars illuminated by a single spotlight waiting for the arrival of Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve. Clearly, the instrument arrangements on the stage represented the latest musical incarnation of Elvis Costello and gave the audience a slight unease as to what the forthcoming show might contain. Enter the men in black, a flurry of notes from Steve Nieve and straight into 'Accidents will happen'. The audience reaction is one of recognition and relief that the old favourites are to feature strongly in the nights entertainment, huge applause greets their entrance. Elvis mixes it up well taking songs from throughout his career. 'Alison', 'I don't want to go to Chelsea', 'Watching the detectives' are interspersed with new songs from the Burt Bacharach co-written new album 'Painted from Memory'. The usual stage humour is there with the Kinks making an appearance in 'Talking in the dark' and a few bars of 'Waltzing Matilda' at the end of a sublime version of 'Baby plays around' which is reputedly the first time that the two have played it together on stage. True, Elvis sounds a bit croaky but by the time he does a complete cover of the Beatles 'Hide your love away' in middle of the main set, his vocal chords have warmed up nicely. Steve Nieves grand piano gives the evening the air of an intimate recital and the rich chords complement Elvis's guitar playing beautifully, long time favourites appear like old friends seen in a new light. 'American without tears', 'Little Palaces' and an emotional 'Indoor fireworks' are excellent before Elvis finshes off the main set with a few solo acoustic numbers and leaves the stage to the first of five standing ovations. The encores gave a chance for Elvis to loosen up and start to play with the audience. 'Red Shoes' and 'Useless Beauty' sounded superb but the best of the four encores was probably the third which contained a heartfelt rendition of 'Any Kings Shilling', a rousing 'Olivers Army', a doleful 'Shipbuilding' and finshed off with an anthemic version of '(What's so funny about) Peace, Love and Understanding' . 'Olivers Army' brought the first and largest of several bunches of flowers presented to the stage though unfortunately Elvis was looking the wrong way and the poor girl had to stand there in the full glare of the audience for what seemed like an eternity. Finally the evening ended with Elvis accompanied by the piano singing without amplification direct to the audience. The lights going up and Steve and Elvis shaking hands with members of the audience from the stage and tumultous applause thundering around the theatre. No room for 'Veronica' or 'Pump it up' or to the apparent disappointment of one female member of the audience 'A good year for the roses' which she had been calling for all evening but with Elvis's back catalog it was only to be expected. How much did we enjoy it ? Well, we left home late, hit every set of traffic lights on red, acquired a $60 parking fine for parking illegally and missed the support act anyway but we went home ecstatically happy. Brilliant.