GuitarVibe.com, June 22, 2006

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Costello and Toussaint bring down the house


M. Zack Urlocker

Elvis Costello is touring North America through June and July to promote his newest CD The River in Reverse recorded with New Orleans virtuouso R&B pianoman Allen Toussaint. I must admit, I was a bit skeptical of the pairing of Costello and Toussaint. How would this fit with some of Costello's hit songs or even his more recent works like The Delivery Man or When I Was Cruel? Costello has always been a music fan with eclectic taste and it has sometimes confounded critics and fans alike.

But after seeing Costello and Toussaint perform tonight at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California, I can say this was the best Costello gig I have seen. It was a rockin' show with the Imposters (long time sidemen Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve) on rhythm, Toussaint on piano and the Crescent City horn section adding a new dynamic to classic songs.

While some may remember Costello as the angry young man who sang "Radio, Radio" nearly thirty years ago on Saturday Night Live or from his hits "Alison," and "Watching the Detectives," Costello's musical career spans thirty years with nearly as many albums and musical styles. But unlike many, Costello is not content to play note-for-note renditions of his hits; instead he reworks the music to fit into his current style and interest.

The evening started out with the Nick Lowe penned single "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" and included a balance of familiar songs ("Clown Strike," "Tears Before Bedtime," Deep Dark Truthful Mirror," "High Fidelity," "Pump It Up," "Clubland," "Watching the Detectives") as well as more recent works ("Episode of Blonde," "Monkey to Man," "Bedlam") and about half of The River in Reverse. The set blended well together thanks to the clever arrangements by Toussaint.

Toussaint's piano added a soulful sound to the evening and the horn section punched up many of the songs; this was a great complement to Costello's biting guitar riffs. Some songs, like "Watching the Detectives" were reworked to great effect in what I can only describe as a psychotic jazzy style.

Toussaint sang lead vocals on his R&B hits "Working In The Coal Mine," "Yes We Can Can" and "What Do You Want the Girl to Do?" Toussaint's solo tribute to Professor Longhair had the audience up and clapping which is a rare enough phenomena in Silicon Valley.

Last time I saw Costello play at the Mountain Winery in May 2002 it was so cold you could see your breath and Costello himself was bundled up in hat and overcoat. But tonight was the perfect warm summer evening to celebrate the sounds of New Orleans. My only wish is that Costello would put out an official live album so fans wouldn't have to resort to bootlegs.

Go see Costello and Toussaint live this summer; it'll be one of the best shows you'll see this year.


Tags: Mountain WinerySaratogaAllen ToussaintCrescent City HornsThe River In ReverseThe Delivery ManWhen I Was CruelThe ImpostersPete ThomasSteve NieveRadio, RadioSaturday Night LiveAlisonWatching The DetectivesNick Lowe(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?Clown StrikeTears Before BedtimeDeep Dark Truthful MirrorHigh FidelityPump It UpClublandEpisode Of BlondeMonkey To ManBedlamWorking In The Coal MineYes We Can CanWhat Do You Want The Girl To Do?Professor LonghairNew Orleans

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GuitarVibe.com, June 22, 2006


M. Zack Urlocker reviews Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint with The Imposters and The Crescent City Horns, Wednesday, June 21, 2006, Mountain Winery, Saratoga, California.


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