London Evening Standard, November 25, 1986

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London Evening Standard

UK & Ireland newspapers

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A lone voice


Spencer Bright

The solo Elvis Costello was halfway through the Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" when a heckler shouted "You wouldn't be so misunderstood if you made it clear which night you were with the Attractions and when you were with yourself."

Not one to be thrown by a good insult Elvis asked the ex-fan if he wanted his money back. After a short discussion they established it was £18 for two tickets and Elvis handed over two £10 notes.

The crowd were behind Elvis and roared him on when he began singing again. It illustrated how uncompromising Elvis is and the strong reaction he provokes. That's if the whole thing was not a set-up.

Last night was the second of six at the Royalty Theatre, Kingsway. The first was with the Attractions and tonight a wheel of fortune will select the songs he and the band will play.

It is a novel idea, and shows how much more confident and good-humoured Costello is these days. His solo effort was a tour de force, not just for his sheer stamina playing a little under three hours, but also through his unfailing ability to throw himself into each song.

He is not quite alone on stage, and is aided by some very funny effects, including a bizarre slide show. The only time someone else appears is when girlfriend and ex-Pogue Cait O'Riordan joins him for "Crimes of Paris."

Cait has a beautiful, clear voice, but she appeared on stage like an awkward adolescent forced to recite a poem at a school open day.

The solo Costello nonetheless was a mighty force, moving from the ferocious passion of "I Want You" to the wistfulness of "Almost Blue" with just about every other emotion in between.

But with such a long time on stage there were inevitable lulls. But then Costello did set himself a task which few other performers would attempt let alone execute so brilliantly.


Tags: Royalty TheatreLondonDon't Let Me Be MisunderstoodCrimes Of ParisI Want YouAlmost BlueCait O'RiordanThe PoguesThe AttractionsThe AnimalsSpectacular Spinning Songbook

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The London Standard, November 25, 1986


Spencer Bright reviews Elvis Costello, solo and with Cait O'Riordan, Monday, November 24, 1986, Royalty Theatre, London, England.

Images

1986-11-25 London Evening Standard page 28 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.


Photographer unknown.
1986-11-25 London Evening Standard photo 01 px.jpg


Page scan.
1986-11-25 London Evening Standard page 28.jpg

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