Bergen County Record, March 2, 1989

From The Elvis Costello Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
... Bibliography ...
727677787980818283
848586878889909192
939495969798990001
020304050607080910
111213141516171819
202122232425 26 27 28


Bergen County Record

New Jersey publications

US publications by state
  • ALAKARAZCA
  • COCTDCDEFL
  • GAHI   IA      ID      IL
  • IN   KSKYLA   MA
  • MDME   MIMNMO
  • MSMTNC  ND  NE
  • NHNJNMNVNY
  • OHOKORPARI
  • SCSDTNTXUT
  • VAVTWAWIWY

-

What Elvis Costello did on his two-year vacation


Barbara Jaeger

Elvis Costello / Spike
4-star reviews4-star reviews4-star reviews4-star reviews

The two years Elvis Costello took off from recording were obviously put to good use. The singer-songwriter — making his debut on the Warner Bros. label — is back with the most ambitious record of his career — and one of his best.

The lyrics are vintage Costello — alternately intelligent and weird, tender and tough, soothing and stinging. And the music is impeccably and imaginatively orchestrated.

Working without his backup group, The Attractions, Costello summons an outstanding musical lineup, including Paul McCartney, Roger McGuinn, T Bone Burnett, Benmont Tench, Allen Toussaint, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and then uses the musicians creatively.

On the lead-off track, "...This Town...," it's McGuinn on a Rickenbacker 12-string, while McCartney lends his support on a Rickenbacker bass. It is Toussaint's jazzlike piano play that distinguishes "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror." And "Satellite" owes its delicacy to the gentle mix of Tench's keyboard play and Costello's electric guitar. The song also features the rich vocal harmonies of Chrissie Hynde and Costello.

It is Costello's use of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, however, that makes this collection unique. The blend of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and sousaphones adds another dimension to a pop tune like "Miss Macbeth."

Throughout the collection, Costello also incorporates such traditional instruments as fiddles, uileann pipes, and bodhrans, and these add texture to his finely woven tunes.


Tags: SpikeWarner Bros.Paul McCartneyRoger McGuinnT Bone BurnettBenmont TenchAllen ToussaintDirty Dozen Brass BandMiss Macbeth...This Town...Deep Dark Truthful MirrorSatelliteChrissie HyndeThe Attractions

-

The Record, March 2, 1989


Barbara Jaeger reviews Spike.

Images

1989-03-02 Bergen County Record page E-8 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.

Page scan.
1989-03-02 Bergen County Record page E-8.jpg

-



Back to top

External links