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CLEVELAND — In two solid hours of rich and varied music — rock 'n' roll and otherwise — Elvis Costello gave a Music Hall full of fans more than 30 highlights from his prolific career Sunday night.
Rather than omit anyone's favorite, Elvis and the Attractions played them all and seemed to delight in it — a refreshing surprise, considering the singer's reputation for feistiness.
Costello's high spirits and eagerness to entertain were apparent from the moment he strode smiling from the wings and launched into a fast-paced "Accidents Will Happen," which led right into "Green Shirt." Elvis looked dapper in the expected suit and tie, and was in fine voice.
Although Costello does an admirable job in his guitar duties, especially considering all of his singing, the sound of the concert was dominated by the flashy keyboard work of Steve Nieve, who alternated between tinkling the piano keys and pounding out wonderfully cheesy-sounding organ leads.
The carefully paced concert mixed a generous portion of Costello's low-key latest album, Imperial Bedroom, with such rockers as "The Beat," "You Belong to Me" and "This Year's Girl." For good measure, he also threw in a brief taste of the 0'Jays' "Back Stabbers" and a Smokey Robinson oldie.
"Watch Your Step" was an early treat, moving along at a cautious, measured tempo, threatening to explode, which it eventually did. A new song, "Shabby Doll," built similarly from a subdued, dramatic beginning into a driving finale. This regular use of subtlety and dynamics, coupled with Costello's strong, plaintive vocals, kept the crowd's attention throughout the many slow ballads.
The show's best number was "Watching the Detectives," for which the band was backlighted with blue searchlights pointing to the ceiling. The fast reggae rhythms inspired many in the audience to stand up and skank along, and the whole place cheered Elvis's song-stopping line, "It only took my little fingers to blow you away."
Not particularly flashy in his stage moves, Costello instead concentrated on his vocals. That he can even remember all the lyrics to 30-plus of his wordy songs is a marvel in itself. The achingly direct version of "Alison" was a wonder of careful phrasing and emotional coloring.
Costello must have anticipated the tumultuous call for encores because he saved many of his best songs for last. The first began with a relaxed run-through of "Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes" that kicked into a wild "Mystery Dance," taken at breakneck speed.
The entire crowd was on its feet and dancing in the aisles through these and the two encores to follow. Obviously none too eager to quit, Elvis would hold up one finger to the crowd after each song and ask, "One more?" Loud cheering was answered with manic versions of "Pump It Up," "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?," "Why Don't You Love Me Like You Used to Do" and a fiery "Radio, Radio."
Although Elvis's last few albums have been uneven efforts, he proved Sunday night that his talents haven't begun to fade. Let's hope he doesn't wait so long between visits next time.
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