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Elvis Costello is halfway through his 10-night "100 Songs And More" residency at NYC's Gramercy Theater where he's playing a completely different set each night, no repeats, where "each night will tell a different tale." At previous shows, he's been bringing out special guests who join him for a few songs, but on Tuesday night Elvis let the crowd know that he was the special guest, and given it was Valentine's Day, he was playing a set of love songs. One of those was "Toledo," which he co-wrote with the late, great Burt Bacharach, to whom he dedicated the song (and paid tribute to at the first night of the residency). Elvis is one of rock's great raconteurs and his banter can be worth the price of admission alone, and it's also fun to hear him rework songs, like Attractions' classic "I Hope You're Happy Now" which he transformed here into a ballad.
There actually was a special guest, though. Imposters and Attractions keyboardist Steve Nieve, who came straight to the theater from his Air France flight, joined Elvis for the last third of the show, which included "High Fidelity," a cover of George Jones' "A Good Year for the Roses," "Indoor Fireworks," "My Funny Valentine," "I'll Wear It Proudly," and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" which has closed every show so far.
For this residency, Gramercy Theater has been redubbed Elvis House, with the titles of Costello songs printed on the stair steps and other special decorations, plus an extra large merch area with signed items, test pressings and more.
Steve Nieve will join Elvis for the remaining five Gramercy Theater shows which resume Thursday (2/16) and run through February 22. Some resale tickets are available. Right after this residency, Elvis will take The Imposters on the road for a short tour and in May is hosting a destination concert vacation in Iceland.
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