Review of concert at 1999-06-23: Vienna, VA, Wolf Trap Filene Centre
Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve
- Willie Waffle [Wwaffle@aol.com]

 

ELVIS AT WOLF TRAP

I just got back from the Elvis and Steve concert at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA. What an amazing performance!

Both Steve and Elvis showed what great artists they are by taking music originally arranged for rock bands and full orchestras and interpreting them for a guitar and piano without losing the vibrancy and passion of the originals. The set list included many of the same songs they played at other stops along the tour, so I won't go into that. However, I do want to share the highlights with you.

First, Elvis' voice sounds magnificent. His recent collaboration with Burt Bacharach taught Elvis how to use his voice as a rich, powerful instrument, even capable of projecting to the entire audience without a microphone as he did with the evening's closing number, Couldn't Call It Unexpected (which, ironically, was interrupted by a passing helicopter). While I have always considered him one of the great song writers of all time, I now have a greater respect for him as a singer and performer.

Steve showed master playing ability on Talking in the Dark, Watching the Detectives and (I don't want to go to) Chelsea. Without his musical accompaniment, the show wouldn't be the same. It would be wonderful to see him perform classical music. He certainly has the ability.

Elvis did a rousing rendition of God's Comic where he told a long, psychedelic story of how God came to him in a dream. It was hilarious. Steve and Elvis also played a new tune called, You Lie, Sweetly. I hope it will be included on the promised-for-the- next-century Elvis and Steve album.

Elvis asked if we had been to the movies lately and played I'll Never Fall in Love Again from Austin Powers II. He then said, "Let's try this again, have you been to the movies lately," and launched into She from Notting Hill. I need to buy both soundtracks now, even if that means I will own a song performed by a Spice Girl.

The show really took off when Elvis and Steve played 3 encores!!!!!! Elvis kept tempting the audience by asking us if we wanted one more song. Thankfully, we ended up getting about 10 more. Elvis had the audience sing along to The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes, Accidents Will Happen, Couldn't Call It Unexpected and Pump It Up. A far cry from the angry young man who twenty years ago used to leer at the audience as if they should be happy just to have him in their presence.

Elvis was very witty, a great showman, and played all the songs you wanted to hear and a few more you were glad he remembered to play, because you forgot how brilliant they were.

I certainly hope the concert was recorded for another special CD set like the one that was released after the first Elvis and Steve tour. I'll be the first in line. Thank you Elvis and Steve for a great evening, and a reminder that great music and talent will always survive whether you are 20 years old or approaching 50. I can't wait for the next tour to come through DC!!!!!!!!

 

Willie Waffle
www.wafflemovies.com
wwaffle@aol.com