Hip-O Reissues

From ElvisCostello

Elvis Costello Collector's Box Set, 2007

In an August 2, 2006 press release, Universal Music announced the acquisition of Elvis Costello's 1977-1986 catalog and plans for "definitive reissues, box sets, live albums, multiple CD sets, compilations for the company's highly successful branded series and rarities discs as well as limited editions via the award-winning Hip-O Select imprint. DVD collections of music videos and concert/TV performances are also anticipated."

Elvis Costello Originals

Costello's first 11 albums — My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces, Get Happy!!, Trust, Imperial Bedroom, Almost Blue, Punch The Clock, Goodbye Cruel World, King Of America, and Blood & Chocolate — were released in the US May 1, 2007.

The new CDs do not include bonus tracks, although the first three albums have the same combined UK/US tracklists as the Rykodisc and Rhino CDs — meaning My Aim Is True includes Watching The Detectives, This Year's Model includes (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, Night Rally, and Radio, Radio, and Armed Forces includes Sunday's Best and (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?.)

They come in digipak packaging. The booklets feature lyrics (including songs not written by Elvis) but, unlike the Ryko and Rhino CDs, no additional liner notes. The CDs have not been newly remastered. They use the same masters prepared by Dan Hersch for Rhino's reissue program.

Hip-O refers to these CDs as the "Elvis Costello Originals" series.

Amazon.com is exclusively offering the "Elvis Costello Collector's Box Set," which includes the 11 CDs and Rock And Roll Music.

The Best Of Elvis Costello The First 10 Years, 2007

Rock And Roll Music, 2007

Compilations

Also released May 1 were two compilation CDs.

The Best Of Elvis Costello The First 10 Years tracklist:
(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes / Alison / Watching The Detectives / (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea / Pump It Up / Radio, Radio / Accidents Will Happen / Oliver's Army / (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? / I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down / High Fidelity / Clubland / New Lace Sleeves / Good Year For The Roses / Beyond Belief / Man Out Of Time / Almost Blue / Everyday I Write The Book / Shipbuilding / Brilliant Mistake / Indoor Fireworks / I Want You

Rock And Roll Music tracklist:
Lipstick Vogue / No Action / Big Tears / (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea / This Year's Girl / Miracle Man / Pump It Up / Clean Money / Tiny Steps / Wednesday Week / Mystery Dance (Live) / You Belong To Me (Live) / (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? / Girls Talk / King Horse / Lovers Walk / Uncomplicated / Honey, Are You Straight Or Are You Blind? (Alternate Version, previously unreleased) / Baby's Got A Brand New Hairdo / I Hope You're Happy Now / Tokyo Storm Warning / Welcome To The Working Week (Demo Version, previously unreleased)

The demo version of Welcome To The Working Week is also expected to appear on the 30th anniversary edition of My Aim Is True. A sticker on the Rock And Roll Music package calls it "the first in a series of themed releases compiled by Elvis Costello."

European releases

According to Richard Groothuizen of the long-running Elvis Costello Information Service fanzine, Hip-O Europe has a different release schedule:

May 2007:

My Aim Is True

This Year's Model

Armed Forces

Get Happy!!

Trust

Live At The El Mocambo

Best Of 1977-1981 ("10-11 tracks limited edition")

June/July 2007:

Taking Liberties Volume 1

September 2007:

Almost Blue

Imperial Bedroom

Punch The Clock

Goodbye Cruel World

King Of America

Blood & Chocolate

Taking Liberties Volume 2

Best Of 1981-1986 ("10-11 tracks limited edition")

However, Amazon UK show a June 4 UK release date for all 11 of the original albums and no sign of Live At The El Mocambo or the various compilations.

Visa Sampler, 2007

Promotional releases

A 7-inch vinyl single pairing the demo version of Welcome To The Working Week and album version of Lovers Walk was released to "independent" record stores for promotional purposes. (Typically, the single is given as a freebie to customers purchasing one of the new CDs.)

The 11-track Visa Sampler CD was given to Visa Signature cardholders during the May 2007 tour. It includes one track from each of the "Elvis Costello Originals" CDs.

Future releases

Scheduled for fall 2007 is a "30th anniversary edition" of My Aim Is True, which will reportedly include "demos, alternate versions, and live tracks."

Additionally, Richard Groothuizen reports these future releases:

Fall 2007:

Elvis Costello: Gold (2CD compilation covering EC's entire career)

BBC/TV Appearances DVD

2008:

Singles box set (possibly the same as or similar to the three boxes of CD singles released in the UK in 2003)

Hope and Anchor 1980 (see Concert 1980-05-14)

Hammersmith 1983 (see Concert 1983-10-17)

Live at the BBC/Peel Sessions