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This album is a collection of Costello's domestically unreleased B-sides, unused masters of songs that appeared differently on his latest album and singles he gave away to other artists. That sounds like 45 minutes of minimally interesting music, bus Costello is such a stunning talent that most performers would love to claim such "lesser" works as their best efforts.
The Angry One (although be seems to be mellowing lately) takes back "Girls Talk" from Linda Ronstadt and Dave Edmunds, "Talking in the Dark" from Ronstadt and "Radio Sweetheart" from Carlene Carter. While the covers of these tunes were pretty good, they don't compare with Costello's own renditions.
"Clean Money" is a sort of scrambled version of "Love for Tender," which was on El's Get Happy LP. "Black and White World" and "Clowntime Is Over" are slowed down and intensified reworkings of stuff also from that album.
It is, however, the unfamiliar songs that are the real points of interest. Costello uses styles from country to rock to jazz to Stax to Merseybeat and back to rock again. His cover of "Getting Mighty Crowded," a Van McCoy oldie, is outstanding—Costello sounds like the pride of Memphis soul.
Sure to gather a lot of startled attention is Costello's other cover, that of "My Funny Valentine." He is deadly serious and brings It off with compassion that will leave his detractors speechless in their accusations that he can't "really feel."
Of the rockers, "Tiny Steps" and "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" are the highlights. "Tiny Steps" parlays Costello's snide lyrics and the Attractions' powerhouse accompaniment into an infectious musical statement. "Chelsea" utilizes the same qualities but adds a ska-ish guitar riff and lingers in the mind.
There are some weak points in Taking Liberties, but none so large that merit mention and not enough to subtract from this 20-song delight.
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