Montreal Gazette, April 4, 2009

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Spectacle With Elvis Costello: Now There's Must-See TV


Bernard Perusse

Having seen only the first installment, I’m already pretty comfortable saying there has never been a TV talk show that offers music lovers anything close to what you’ll see on Spectacle with Elvis Costello, which made its Canadian debut on CTV last night.

From the opening seconds, it was hard not to be hooked: Costello and band (which just happened to include Allen Toussaint on piano) performed a soulful version of Border Song to introduce Elton John (who, incidentally, produces the show with husband David Furnish, Costello and others).

For the next hour, Costello was more facilitator than interviewer, and the two simply talked music. Among the topics: the golden age of singer-songwriters in the 1970s, the unique piano style of Leon Russell, why host and guest both chose pseudonyms, how the Band and Laura Nyro influenced Tumbleweed Connection, how the Elton John/ Bernie Taupin partnership has survived, the impact of hearing Frank Sinatra sing Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word and why some brilliant artists are neglected by the public.

At one point, Elton sang the praises of Ron Sexsmith and said it was “disgusting” that his music doesn’t get played on the radio. Some of the best moments came when the superstar illustrated his points at the piano.The gripping exchange ended with Costello and John duetting on David Ackles’s Down River.

If the upcoming shows are anywhere close to this one, we have a reason to stay home on Friday night. This truly feels like a TV event.


Tags: SpectacleAllen ToussaintBorder SongElton JohnLeon RussellThe BandLaura NyroFrank SinatraRon SexsmithDavid AcklesDown River

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Montreal Gazette, April 4, 2009


Bernard Perusse reviews Spectacle: Elvis Costello with Elton John on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 when it was first broadcast on CTV in Canada.

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2008-04-08 Spectacle photo 01.jpg
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