He's relaxed, mild mannered and even funny. His bushy hair stands up on top as he looks out from behind a pair of red glasses. The red glasses are there to cut the red tape. But sees no future red tape. He is calm and not angry. No longer does he have to prove his existence to America.
With six albums out, his latest being Trust, Elvis is here to stay.
Tom Snyder invited him on his chat show to discuss life and found Elvis Costello to be a refreshingly humorous gentleman. Some critics have began tagging him as "mellowing," but Costello feels that he is showing the public the other side. "You have 20 years to write the first album and six months for the second," said Costello.
He blames nerves for his anger because, "When we came here (America) it was almost like we were from another planet."
He has begun saying "thank you" and smiling. He even give encores regularly. What has happened to this man's attitude?
So like trend setters of Bowie and Lennon, Costello music is an expression of feelings. He isn't a record company friend, but rather a client, a musician.
The 14 songs on Trust require just that from fans. There are no songs like "Pump It Up" or "Oliver's Army," but "Watch Your Step" and "New Lace Shoes" are excellent, slow bass-oriented tunes. A Motown influence is present.
Costello's theme on this album is people. He seems to want to explain relationships with "White Knuckles," "Big Sisters Clothes" and "Lovers World."
Has Costello matured? He doesn't like that word, "matured" — "Sounds like some sort of cheese." But Costello has grown up — musically.
He believes in himself and his confidence comes through. He asks for Trust and I give it to him.
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