Uncut, January 2016

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Ultimate Music Guide


UK & Ireland magazines

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Unfaithful Music

Elvis Costello

Neil Spencer

38-song soundtrack to Costello's memoir
6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews6 stars (out of 10) reviews

A dollar for every Costello mixtape made would make you rich: here's the man's own, collated to amplify a memoir where, just possibly, he names the inspirations/muses/enemies that inspired his songs. It proves a potent collection, embracing some touchstones — "Alison," "Oliver's Army," "Shipbuilding" — while not being a "greatest hits." The first disc follows Costello from angry upstart (captured in Anton Corbijn's cover shot) to accomplished songsmith, a useful guide through the entrails of his increasingly tortured '8os output. The selection from the last 25 years — eg, '94's "London's Brilliant Parade" — sounds breezy by comparison, partly as Costello spent less time with the Attractions, perhaps realising Steve Nieve's cod-classic keys were doing his writing few favours. The many collaborations yield mixed results. Allen Toussaint's sharp arrangement of "Truthful Mirror" finds his vocal powers wanting, as do sessions with Bacharach and The Brodsky Quartet. He's more at ease in country company —his duet with George Jones on "Stranger In The House" was an early victory, and 2008's "April 5th" (hitherto unreleased) with Kristofferson and Rosanne Cash is a real bonus. So, too are snatches of him reading outtakes from his book; witness his droll account of his time with McCartney. After all these years, he's still tricky, still engaging.

Extras: 1975 demo of "I Can't Turn It Off", close sibling of "Red Shoes."

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Uncut, No. 224, January 2016


Neil Spencer reviews the Unfaithful Music & Soundtrack Album.


EC's memoir is ranked 3rd on Uncut's 10 best books of 2015.

Images

2016-01-00 Uncut page 88 clipping 01.jpg 2016-01-00 Uncut page 41 clipping 01.jpg
Clippings.



Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink


Uncut

No. 3

2016-01-00 Uncut page 41.jpg

Abandoning linear narrative like a more garrulous version of Dylan's Chronicles, Costello's vast memoir was a fractured mosaic, often wonderfully well-written, Elvis looking back at his career with candour, humour and a general lack of rancour. His enormous self-regard was a bit of an obstacle, but there were revelations aplenty for even lapsed fans to relish.


Cover and page scan.
2016-01-00 Uncut cover.jpg 2016-01-00 Uncut page 88.jpg

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