San Diego Union-Tribune, October 6, 1986

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Costello's 'Spinning Songbook' proved a hit


Divina Infusino

Fan participation game was a risky venture that worked

"I was afraid to dream about this concert," said the dazed Elvis Costello fan perched at the edge of his Beverly Theatre seat.

That's exactly what the fourth of Costello's unusual five-night stand at the small, ornate Los Angeles venue was like — a pop dream. It was part rock concert, part '50s game show, part rec room party, part vaudeville buffoonery and part the fulfillment of every music fan's hope for a concert — interaction with the person behind the performer.

In these days of video perfection and expensive stage productions meant to keep rock stars from appearing too human or possibly imperfect, Saturday night's show before a rapt standing-room-only audience was like a risky phantasm sent from pop music's outer limits. Costello titled it "The Spectacular Spinning Songbook."

At one end of the stage, imagine a 20-foot-high wheel, circled in lights, bearing the names of 40 songs — some that Costello has recorded over his nine-year career and some that he hasn't. At the other end, imagine a '60s-style go-go cage, with a dancer gyrating wildly inside. In between, place the Attractions — a band made up of three crack rock 'n' roll musicians — a stream of guest stars turning up in unexpected roles, and randomly selected members of the audience participating in the show.

In the middle of this, as ringleader and host, was Elvis Costello — one of pop music's brightest and best talents.

Only someone with a great amount of ability or an abundance of chutzpah would even think of attempting such a venture. Happily, Costello has both, enabling him to travel this perilous road, and arrive with one of the live concert highlights of 1986.

While a punk band like The Replacements pricks the bloated, staid conventions of the rock concert by abandoning all structure for anarchy, Costello, ever the critic and analyst, challenged concert cliches and ensured spontaneity within the outlines of a well-known concept — the TV game show.

After kicking off the musical set with "Tokyo Storm Warning," from his new album, Blood & Chocolate, Costello introduced the first game show host for the evening, John Doe from X. With his slicked-back hair and impeccable polyester suit, Doe was Pat Sajak crossed with Bob Barker.

He called eager audience members to the stage, asked their names, where they lived and what song they hoped their spin would land on. Each "contestant" shook hands with the gracious Costello, then yanked at the big wheel. Costello was then obliged to play what ever came up. Those songs turned out to be: "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea," "Mystery Dance," "Watch Your Step," "Temptation" and "Miracle Man."

After each song, a new audience member joined him on stage for another spin. Consequently, the band had trouble working up much musical steam at first. But Costello provided some entertainment bonuses throughout the evening to get the show over any rough points. These included his wife Cait O'Riordan, who danced unidentified in a wig and mini-dress in the go-go cage. To tie up the first half, Costello and Doe dueted on "Wild Thing."

Then came the intermission, during which Costello appeared on stage with acoustic guitar and three of the four members of the all-female pop group, the Bangles (Michael Steele was absent.)

They performed a ragged, but endearing version of the Beatles, "Yes It Is," and one of the Bangles' recent hits, "If She Knew What She Wants," a Jules Shear song that Costello probably wishes he had written.

In the second half, charming ragtag Tom Waits acted as the wheel moderator.

These spins resulted in a song list of "You Belong To Me," "Motel Matches," "Uncomplicated," "Accidents Will Happen," and "Less Than Zero." Costello and the band performed with more passion during the second half, and the audience participation was stepped up when the singer offered spinners a bout in the go-go cage, or a drink at the on-stage rec room counter, set up with Gatorade and a TV set.

At one point, the TV screen lit up, showing a Lou Reed concert. Costello turned up the volume and put the microphone to the television speaker to share the on-screen show with the audience.

It was the kind of move that would never happen under "normal" concert circumstances.

Nor would Costello's wobbly, but wonderful harmonizing with Waits. Nor would his biting cover of Prince's "Pop Life." When Prince sings the song, it is ironic and tongue-in-cheek. In Costello's hands, it was a sad testament to the emptiness of modern existence.

Nor would one expect the singer to open the show with a rant against the Los Angeles Times' story that criticized his refusal to allow photographers into the shows. (It would interfere with the audience's enjoyment he explained acidly.)

Costello planned each of his five dates in Los Angeles, and the subsequent five cities on this tour, differently.

The first evening was Costello and the Attractions performing his best-known songs. The second show featured a solo segment, (which included a version of "Pretty In Pink,") followed by a set with T Bone Burnett and some of the famed '50s and '60s session players who contributed to Costello's earlier 1986 LP, King of America. The third night brought out one member of Los Lobos, and more obscure or unusual songs, including his ode to Los Angeles, "Heathen Town."

But of all the shows in the series that ended last night, the night of the Spectacular Singing Songbook was most likely the best, not only of Costello's tour, but of 1986.


Tags: Beverly TheatreLos AngelesThe AttractionsSpectacular Spinning SongbookCostello Sings Again TourTokyo Storm WarningBlood & ChocolateJohn DoeX(I Don't Want To Go To) ChelseaMystery DanceWatch Your StepTemptationMiracle ManWild ThingCait O'RiordanHostage To Fortune Go-Go CageSociety LoungeThe BanglesYes It IsIf She Knew What She WantsJules ShearTom WaitsYou Belong To MeMotel MatchesUncomplicatedAccidents Will HappenLess Than ZeroLou ReedPrincePop LifePretty In PinkLos Angeles TimesT Bone BurnettLos LobosKing Of AmericaThe ConfederatesHeathen TownThe BeatlesThe Replacements

Copyright 1986 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.

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San Diego Union, October 6, 1986


Divina Infusino reviews Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Saturday, October 4, 1986, Beverly Theatre, Los Angeles.


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