Albany Student Press, February 28, 1978: Difference between revisions
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He introduced two songs next. The first, “[[Lip Service]],” was a bitter tale of unrequited love (a trend in all of his songs). The second “[[(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea|I Don’t Want to Go to Chelsea]]” was superb. Elvis’s back-up band (which he never introduced) was excellent. The organist played an instrument that was reminiscent of Eric Burden and the Animals. It added the needed touch to the basic 60’s rock style that Costello emulates so well. | He introduced two songs next. The first, “[[Lip Service]],” was a bitter tale of unrequited love (a trend in all of his songs). The second “[[(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea|I Don’t Want to Go to Chelsea]]” was superb. Elvis’s back-up band (which he never introduced) was excellent. The organist played an instrument that was reminiscent of Eric Burden and the Animals. It added the needed touch to the basic 60’s rock style that Costello emulates so well. | ||
Costello took off his guitar and peered through his Poindexter-type glasses into the audience. He then played a revved-up, dynamite version of “[[(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes|Red Shoes]].” The audience was into this man. He rewarded them with | Costello took off his guitar and peered through his Poindexter-type glasses into the audience. He then played a revved-up, dynamite version of “[[(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes|Red Shoes]].” The audience was into this man. He rewarded them with good music and assault. | ||
Someone in the audience called Costello and "asshole", another told him to "Go back to England" Elvis replied with "Fuck off, come down here and say that." In any case, from here on in his stage attitude changed. Two more new songs, "[[Hand In Hand|Hand in Hand]]" (dedicated to "all you rich Americans with cars") and " [[The Beat|See Your Friends]]" continued Costello's well-known bitterness about love. The lyrics: "I don't want to be your lover, I just want to be your victim." | |||
Costello then segued into "[[Watching The Detectives|Watching the Detectives]]", easily the highlight of the show. The version was much fuller and ex-more powerful than that of the album. The song is a put down of television that Costello pounded out with every bit of strength that he had. When the audience began to clap along Costello yelled, "No use in keeping time with us, we can lose you." | |||
Costello then asked the audience to stand up. They obliged. He launched into another new rocker called "[[Pump It Up|Pep It Up]]" Throughout the song the UCB people asked the audience to please refrain from standing. This, combined with several flashcubes in the audience disturbed Costello. His obnoxious stage attitude turned into anger, and with a "Good night," he stormed off stage after an extremely short 40 minute show. He refused to do an encore, much to the distress of the audience. | |||
The lights went on and the audience left. The reigning opinion was that the music was of the highest calibre, but why not an encore? It seems, according to several sources, that Costello's band and crew did not like the treatment he received. Shortly after the concert, UCB Treasurer Evan Gold was asked by Costello's road manager how he liked the concert. Gold said he enjoyed it and, according to Gold, he proceeded to walk away. The road manager then reportedly grabbed him, tore his shirt, and took a swing at him. Gold blocked the swing, and the road manager tried to kick him in a strategic place. Gold got away. But the road manager caused further havoc backstage by calling other UCB workers "dirty Jews" and "niggers". | |||
None of this affected the music; it was the best, though it was much too short. As far as Costello and his crew's attitude, it was at the very least appalling. If he expects to have any sort of future in the rock and roll business he better get his shit together. Thanks should go to Concert Board for the opportunity to see a unique performer; they really suffered through this show. May the music in the future be of the same high calibre without the grief | |||
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[[Category:1978 concert reviews]] | [[Category:1978 concert reviews]] | ||
[[Category:2nd US Tour|~Albany Student Press 1978-02-28]] | [[Category:2nd US Tour|~Albany Student Press 1978-02-28]] | ||
Revision as of 10:09, 2 January 2015
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