|
The wheel of fortune has spun both ways for Elvis Costello.
Long established in America, his visibility has dipped this side of the pond.
Simply playing to the gallery has its dangers, as David Bowie found out when he announced a tour based on a popular vote and was miffed when the NME asked its readership to vote for novelty hit "Laughing Gnome."
But Elvis left the wheel at home and took us on a largely celebratory journey.
He kept a certain amount of the variety show element, the patter was swift and sure, he emerged as a suave impresario, albeit one who knows that he has one of the best rock bands on the planet as his gloved fingertips in The Imposters, formerly The Attractions.
An eager Elvis beat the audience to the punch, getting through a selection of belters including "I Can't Stand Up" before they even had a chance to find their seats.
But standing up is where Elvis wanted us for the evening.
In fact he created his own mosh pit for a blistering "Watching The Detectives" complete with startling guitar effects and police sirens.
He made "Shipbuilding" more than the usual event by singing it from the audience, and cheekily following it with the cheesy "She" as he continued his walkabout.
What did matter was Costello's mastery of the popular song from Steve Nieve's ABBA meets Rachmaninov piano textures, and the passion with which he delivered it, particularly on "Tramp The Dirt Down," his anti-Thatcher masterpiece, which was almost compassionate in its contempt.
| 
