Irish Times, January 8, 1993: Difference between revisions
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“That’s what white sociologists say it is, but I believe that blues – and rock’n’roll – is a lot of people having a good time because, basically, their life is shit. That’s what most music is. But a composer like Shostakovich was trying to create art in conditions of such emotional and political repression that it is little wonder his works are still so powerful and potent. I’m not necessarily saying they are superior to forms of self-expression in folk or blues, but they are not the same thing. And on some intrinsic, personal level I responded to those quartets with the same excitement I’d feel on hearing a great Billie Holliday song, or [[Hank Williams]] song that also seemed to embody some sort of unspoken spirit. It really was a revelation to me.” | “That’s what white sociologists say it is, but I believe that blues – and rock’n’roll – is a lot of people having a good time because, basically, their life is shit. That’s what most music is. But a composer like Shostakovich was trying to create art in conditions of such emotional and political repression that it is little wonder his works are still so powerful and potent. I’m not necessarily saying they are superior to forms of self-expression in folk or blues, but they are not the same thing. And on some intrinsic, personal level I responded to those quartets with the same excitement I’d feel on hearing a great Billie Holliday song, or [[Hank Williams]] song that also seemed to embody some sort of unspoken spirit. It really was a revelation to me.” | ||
Elvis Costello, who normally deflects attempts to read his songs as fragments of autobiography, nonetheless admits that “some of the most naked, autobiographical songs” he’s ever written are contained in The Juliet Letters. “But because all five of us contribute on a compositional level, I prefer to have those elements of self-revelation juxtaposed with other people’s thoughts. In that way there isn’t that sense of ‘look-at-my-open-wounds’, which is what I really dislike.” | |||
One of the many powerful songs on the Costello/Brodsky song-cycle, [[I Thought I'd Write To Juliet]], is based on a letter Elvis Costello received from a female soldier during the run-up to the Gulf War. He reveals that although, later, he “couldn’t help but be moved by the letter”, his initial response to her expression of despair was “serves you right for being there”. Would he agree that this response probably epitomises the continuing public perception of Elvis Costello as the eternal cynic and “bug-eyed monster from planet guilt and revenge”, which is how he once described himself? | |||
“I keep fighting this notion of cynicism defining my work, and philosophy, “ he says. “I see myself more as a sceptic who, at least admits to a possibility of faith – whereas cynics don’t. They just take a negative view of everything. I don’t. But those old labels, lie the one you quote, still attach themselves to me. That comment passed by a long time ago, But the point is that when you are younger you do only know how to get at certain emotions; like rage. That’s why I believe there is no way I could have written my contribution to The Juliet Letters when I was 22. | |||
“Yet just because these songs, on the surface, seem less aggressive, people shouldn’t mistake the intimate nature in the dynamic of the music for a lack of passion on my behalf. Or, indeed, a lack of rage.” | |||
Rejecting media speculation that his marriage to ex-[[The Pogues|Pogue]] [[Cait O'Riordan]] has “mellowed” him and dismissing the concept as “a terrible cliché”, Elvis Costello similarly claims that The Juliet Letters shouldn’t be seen as signifying that he has “renounced” rock’n’roll. He has already recorded some of the tracks for his next solo album, to which he will be returning after a short tour with the Brodsky Quartet to publicise The Juliet Letters. | |||
However, true to his cutely cantankerous nature Elvis Costello concludes this – his first shot at publicising the television documentary/album – by lodging a complaint. In a manner that is irresistibly representative of his songs, he wraps a snake up in a velvet glove and softly suggests that we “didn’t talk enough about The Juliet Letters”. God, but one can never please these first-time fathers. | |||
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[[Category:The Irish Times| Irish Times 1993-01-08]] | [[Category:The Irish Times| Irish Times 1993-01-08]] | ||
[[Category:Interviews|Irish Times 1993-01-08]] | [[Category:Interviews|Irish Times 1993-01-08]] | ||
Revision as of 23:40, 10 October 2013
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