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Those who shouted "Elvis is king" at Elvis Costello's concert Thursday at the Landmark Theater do the British singer/ songwriter a distinct disservice.
"King" is already the domain of one Elvis, and the only comparison between this Elvis and his namesake is the passion both demonstrated early in their careers.
The King's creativity died long before he did, more from atrophy than exhaustion. In contrast, this Elvis, his early rage muted but his conviction intact, may now be at the peak of his artistry.
In an hour-long show that was extended another 45 minutes by three encores, the full house of almost 2,900 people saw glimpses of the early Costello, whose invention through invective captured the hearts of more than one post-'60s cynic. But the show also displayed this year's model — an exposed romantic whose concern seems to have shifted more toward the victims and away from the anxious.
"Shabby Doll," from his new album Imperial Bedroom, showed some of Costello's maturation. It's a song about manipulation in relationships ("She's just a shabby doll; she's putting him off and putting you on") and it makes you feel for those abused.
He followed it with another new song, "The Long Honeymoon," a cabaret-type number that tells the tale of a newlywed bride who realizes too late she has married a carouser:
"It's been a long honeymoon,
she thought too late and spoke too soon;
There's no money-back guarantee on happiness.
Feeling for those who've been had isn't a new emotion in Costello's music, but it somehow seemed insincere in the past. Backed by his versatile band The Attractions (Bruce Thomas on bass, Pete Thomas on drums and Steve Nieve on keyboards), Costello the crooner was able to spark the new material with genuine emotion.
Costello admits that being pidgeonholed as an "Angry Young Man" limited his appeal and almost obscured his true vision. It will be interesting to see if the fans that identified with his blind anger in the old days will look deeper for the motives behind it and realize it's never that simple.
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