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I have to admit I haven't really listened to Elvis Costello in a long while so when I heard he was having a show at a local "small" venue, I thought it would be cool to check it out, enjoy the hits and see what was new with the man who first caught my attention when I was a radio DJ in the 80's. Back then "Everyday I Write the Book" and "Alison" were staples of my Top 40 airplay.
The setting for this "Detour Tour" was both simplistic and engaging. Centered around a giant TV screen on which still photos and occasional videos played out moments of time in the life of Costello (including a performance of his fathers 1960's version of "If I Had A Hammer") were an easy chair, a few guitars and a borrowed piano from his wife, jazz artist Diana Krall.
Opening act Larkin Poe was an unexpected pleasure. The duo from Atlanta are often described as Southern roots rockers and they do deliver with their bluesy, guitar driven sound. The vocals of Rebecca Lovell and lap steel guitar of sister Megan combined to entertain and for me, the highlight of their set was a smokin' cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs." Larkin Poe also serve as backing musicians for Costello for a good portion of his show.
Costello's performance rolled through several waves, moving at times from guitar to piano and back to guitar. In between, anecdotes and reminiscences were delivered, along with the occasional Trump jab, to an appreciative audience. Many in the audience were surprised to learn that Costello had written several songs for a planned stage musical based on the film A Face In the Crowd. Upon divulging this, Costello performed "Blood & Hot Sauce" and "Burn the Paper Down to Ash" featuring vocals by Larkin Poe's Rebecca Lovell.
Top moments for me included the off-mic, into the audience version of "Alison" and the rousing, crowd pleasing "Peace, Love and Understanding." On the downside, no "Veronica" or "Radio, Radio."
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