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DALLAS — The performance of Elvis Costello and the Attractions Tuesday in Dallas was an exceptional and almost flawless one musically. But, the music was merely played, not truly performed.
Warming up for Costello was a four-piece California band, The Rubinoos, who put on a lively and upbeat show. Playing basic, early-sixties rock 'n' roll, they delivered renditions of The Beatles' "Please Please Me," The Shondells' "I Think We're Alone Now" and The Ventures' "Walk Don't Run." The band's strong point was the outstanding harmony obtained by all four members to produce an early sixties sound.
Elvis Costello, an English computer operator-turned-rock star, innocently changed his name from Declan Patrick MacManus before all the Elvis hype, but has not been hindered by this because of his own dynamic and unique personality. Costello's three albums, My Aim Is True, This Year's Model and his latest, Armed Forces, are progressively improving musical creations with angry retaliation being the major theme of each. This anger was not conveyed visually as well as it was musically at the Dallas concert.
The success of Costello's performance came from the fact that his music and lyrics alone are so powerful. The only "show" from Costello came from watching the light dance off of his gold shoes. Some crowd members were a show in themselves because of their Costello-like short hair, black-rimmed glasses and baggy pants and several took advantage of the opportunity.
It was not until the latter songs that any real emotion discharged from the stage. Keyboardist Steve Naive performed at a consistently excellent level throughout the evening and created a strong, shuffling rhythm on the last few selections which defied people to remain in their seats. Such songs as "The Beat," "Watching the Detectives" and "Pump It Up" were of such intensity that they unavoidably livened the band and, in turn, shook the audience.
After the main set (which lasted slightly less than an hour), the sole encore was "You Belong to Me." Omitted from the brief show were Costello's only two near-hits, "Alison" (also recorded by Linda Ronstadt) and the single "Radio, Radio."
Throughout the show, Costello seemed to have an obligatory attitude toward the performance.
Coming over so strongly on Saturday Night Live last year, and The Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll a few weeks ago, the live Costello Tuesday was not nearly so intense.
Not once did he cringe for his angry lyrics. Nor did he assume the notoriously exaggerated knock-knee position while turning out a guitar break.
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