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The story of Elvis Costello's career so far has been, amongst other factors, a combination of inspired judgement, fierce commitment, faultless taste, and sheer inspiration. Emerging at the forefront of a period in rock history that spawned a considerable amount of talent, Elvis has developed into THE consummate "new-wave" artist, unwilling to remain working within the same musical confines for too long, and breaking new ground with total confidence and immense style. As a songwriter he is surely one of rock's most articulate and prolific, able to write comfortably and Impressively across the whole spectrum of contemporary music. As a singer ... well his recent performances have provoked the most fervent admiration — due to his mesmeric power as a solo performer. Accompanied perfectly by The Attractions, Elvis is also capable of delivering the sort of ensemble rock performance that none of his contemporaries can match in intensity and class. Witness the re-vamped versions of "Watching the Detectives" and "Clowntime Is Over" for proof. To the astute and committed observer however all this is hardly revelatory. Right at the very beginning of his recording career, "Alison" alone was substantial evidence that a major songwriter was about to make his presence felt.
One day in 1976, unknown and unannounced, Elvis Costello walked into the offices of Stiff Records, struck up an instant and permanent rapport with Stiffs then supremo Jake Riviera, was signed up immediately, and plans were made to launch him onto a public that had been starved of such talent for too long. To say that Elvis' initial attempts at single-handedly revitalising the stale music scene were successful would be something of an understatement. Three arresting and imaginative singles were issued in 1977 — "Less Than Zero," "Alison," and "The Angels Want to Wear My Red Shoes," followed by his debut album My Aim Is True. Remaining in the charts for 12 weeks and reaching No. 14, My Aim Is True was unanimously given an excited vote of approval by the media, who, like his discerning record-buying public, sensed a change in the air, a feeling that artistes like Elvis were about to drastically change the current state of rock. Elvis played his first gig, completely solo, supporting The Rumour at The Nashville in London, and 3 months later at the same venue an estimated 700 plus people were locked out amidst scenes that London rock gigs rarely enjoy. The story from then on reads like a catalogue of success upon success. Talent, vision, panache.
In June of 1977 The Attractions were formed — a trio of supreme individual and collective talent needed to interpret Elvis' rich musical imagination — Pete Thomas (drums), Bruce Thomas (bass), and Steve Nieve (keyboards). The rest of the year was spent touring, notably on the "Live Stiffs" package with Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric, Larry Wallis, and Nick Lowe, and a fourth single, "Watching the Detectives" reached No. 15 in the chart. The latter part of 1977 and early 1978 saw Elvis conquering America followed by a change of record label to Radar. His first single for them, "I Don't Want To Go To You) Chelsea" reached No. 16, and his second album This Year's Model enters the album chart at No. 4 and stays in the Top 50 for 4 months. The rest of 1978 combines the hectic world-wide touring schedule with more single releases, culminating in December with 7 sold-out nights at The Dominion Theatre in London. There's no let up in 1979 either. It began with the release of his third album Armed Forces which charted at No. 2, was entrenched in the upper echelons of the chart for several months and drew breathless admiration from the media. A 31 date British tour, the release of the hugely successful (No. 2 in the chart) single "Oliver's Army," another American tour, his debut as a producer on The Specials first album on Two-Tone, and the break down of Radar Records filled out the rest of the year and paved the way, at the beginning of the new decade, for a new and exciting phase in his career.
Determined to retain personal involvement and more control over his recording career, F-Beat Records was formed after a series of frustrating legal wrangles and his first single for the label, "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" extended his consistent record of chart success, reaching No. 4. His classic fourth album Get Happy!! did likewise (No. 2). From then until the present, there has been a slight let-up in the amount of time spent on the road but it has allowed his songwriting to become even more wide-ranging and prolific. Trust was released at the beginning of this year and many people immediately voted it his best album to date, citing his much more pronounced vocal abilities, fearless experimentation within the rock format, and brilliant sustained lyrical onslaught as reasons for their enthusiasm.
And then Almost Blue released in 1981, came through. The album recorded in Nashville directly reflects that part Of Costello's character and personality that lies in country music — and he has certainly decided to lay it on us
The next album, to be released in 1982, is, as yet, another unknown quantity at this stage, and as Elvis is never one to Opt for the predictable, anything could emerge. But he has always retained the strictest musical integrity — a quality that the less bright commentators and broadcasters of rock music have confused with erratic judgement. What these few sloths have still failed to realise is that Elvis Costello is an enduring, timeless artiste who will be around and ahead of the game a long long time after those who doubt it cease to matter.
The Attractions are Peter Michael Thomas on drums, Bruce Thomas on bass and Stephen Hart on keyboards.
Elvis Costello and The Attractions tour Australia 1982.
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