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It is now almost 10 years since Elvis Costello released his first album, and during that time the British singer and songwriter has established himself as one of the most important musicians in rock music.
He is also one of the most prolific: He has already released two full- length albums this year, King of America and Blood & Chocolate; the former is a good album, the latter a great one.
Last night, Costello began a three-night stand at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby. He has dubbed his American tour "Costello Sings Again," and it's designed to be a pop event. Each night, Costello performs with different musicians, singing different sets of songs.
Last night, Costello spent roughly half the evening alone, strumming his acoustic guitar, and the other half with the Confederates, a band that included keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and guitarist James Burton, who once upon a time performed the same function for the other Elvis.
The evening was an enthralling success, even when the music was ragged and rushed. Costello may possess a limited voice — a raspy tenor with the range of a kitchen stove — but he is a great singer of popular music, as he proved once again last night. With the Confederates, Costello tore through a series of old rhythm-and-blues, country and rockabilly songs.
His solo, acoustic set included powerful versions of songs such as "Tokyo Storm Warning" and "Green Shirt." The high point of this collection of songs was a version of his own "New Amsterdam" into which, midway through, he inserted a lovely rendition of the Beatles' "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away." It was a beautiful beginning to what promises to be three nights of terrific music.
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