The Times ( London)

From ElvisCostello

The Times ( London) May 26, 2006

Pop

Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint

The River In Reverse (Verve Forecast)

( 3/5 stars)

There is something inevitable about this collaboration between the Scouser seemingly set on recording in every musical genre and the venerable New Orleans producer. The result is a polished set with no huge surprises, but Costello’s regular band, the Imposters, team up impressively with Toussaint at the piano and the Crescent City Horns, and Costello is in fine voice. For Grumpy Old Man music, this is unexpectedly relaxed.

STEVE JELBERT