Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1989: Difference between revisions
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<center><h3> Elvis Costello still a riveting rocker | <center><h3> Elvis Costello still a riveting rocker </h3></center> | ||
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<center> David Silverman </center> | <center> David Silverman </center> | ||
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'''But third set's a dud | |||
{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
After two years drifting in the uncharted post-New Wave waters, Elvis Costello reappeared from the mist Saturday night. Still dressed all in black, this wasn't Declan, it was Elvis. | After two years drifting in the uncharted post-New Wave waters, Elvis Costello reappeared from the mist Saturday night. Still dressed all in black, this wasn't Declan, it was Elvis. | ||
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He was no less angry, thoughtful or perplexing than when he went away. But this time, he was alone. | He was no less angry, thoughtful or perplexing than when he went away. But this time, he was alone. | ||
Stripped of the Attractions, both on his recent LP ''Spike'' and now on a solo acoustic tour, Costello played to the soldout crowd at Northwestern University's McGaw Hall as though he were in a small club | Stripped of the Attractions, both on his recent LP ''Spike'' and now on a solo acoustic tour, Costello played to the soldout crowd at Northwestern University's McGaw Hall as though he were in a small club — for better and for worse. During what was actually a concert in three acts, Costello played grand actor — moving from being impassioned, to dazzling to truly confusing and finally sliding into the realm of tedium. | ||
As a songwriter, Costello rivals any of the decade's best, and probably takes second only to Bob Dylan (before the conversion) for his consistent and prolific outpouring of anger, fear, resentment, love and, above all, dark social-political cynicism. So, it wasn't that surprising when "Accidents Will Happen," a driving and melodic cut from 1979's highly political ''Armed Forces'' LP, was chosen as the first song for the final performance of Costello's spring tour. | As a songwriter, Costello rivals any of the decade's best, and probably takes second only to Bob Dylan (before the conversion) for his consistent and prolific outpouring of anger, fear, resentment, love and, above all, dark social-political cynicism. So, it wasn't that surprising when "Accidents Will Happen," a driving and melodic cut from 1979's highly political ''Armed Forces'' LP, was chosen as the first song for the final performance of Costello's spring tour. | ||
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Hold on. | Hold on. | ||
After a solo encore, Costello brought show-opener and producer/genius Nick Lowe back on stage for the evening's second act. After shooting through two covers from Elvis Presley's Memphis days, they added a version of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding" that could've melted steel. | After a solo encore, Costello brought show-opener and producer/genius Nick Lowe back on stage for the evening's second act. After shooting through two covers from Elvis Presley's Memphis days, they added a version of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" that could've melted steel. | ||
The two men shook hands, waved to the crowd, said goodnight and were gone. | The two men shook hands, waved to the crowd, said goodnight and were gone. | ||
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A third of the college-age crowd had already started to head for the doors when the strange howlings began to shake the stadium. Accompanied by a horror film soundtrack, the howling got louder and louder until he arrived. | A third of the college-age crowd had already started to head for the doors when the strange howlings began to shake the stadium. Accompanied by a horror film soundtrack, the howling got louder and louder until he arrived. | ||
No, it wasn't Elvis Costello, or Declan | No, it wasn't Elvis Costello, or Declan MacManus. It was Monsignor Napoleon Dynamite, the psuedo-character Costello created on the ''Blood & Chocolate'' LP. Dressed in a cheesy multicolor blazer and carrying a devil's pitchfork, his Eminency strolled the stage as members of the crowd were brought to him by a fuzzy-suited "wolfman." | ||
While cute at first, this third act of the show lost air quickly and included a disappointing, throw-away version of "Alison." | While cute at first, this third act of the show lost air quickly and included a disappointing, throw-away version of "Alison." | ||
Given the show's length | Given the show's length — more than two hours — and the range Costello displayed as a performer, it was as good as any show that has recently ambled through the area. | ||
The only problem is, Elvis Costello is better than the rest of those guys. On Saturday night, he didn't show it. | The only problem is, Elvis Costello is better than the rest of those guys. On Saturday night, he didn't show it. | ||
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{{tags}}[[Concert 1989-04-22 Evanston|McGaw Hall]] {{-}} [[Evanston]] {{-}} [[IL|Illinois]] {{-}} [[Nick Lowe]] {{-}} [[Spike]] {{-}} [[Accidents Will Happen]] {{-}} [[Armed Forces]] {{-}} [[Deep Dark Truthful Mirror]] {{-}} [[God's Comic]] {{-}} [[Elvis Presley]] {{-}} [[(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame]] {{-}} [[Indoor Fireworks]] {{-}} [[(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?]] {{-}} [[Napoleon Dynamite]] {{-}} [[Blood & Chocolate]] {{-}} [[Declan MacManus]] {{-}} [[Alison]] {{-}} [[Bob Dylan]] | |||
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'''Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1989 | '''Chicago Tribune, April 24, 1989 | ||
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[[David Silverman]] reviews Elvis Costello, solo and with [[Nick Lowe]], Saturday, [[Concert 1989-04-22 Evanston|April 22, 1989]], McGaw Hall, Evanston, | [[David Silverman]] reviews Elvis Costello, solo and with [[Nick Lowe]], Saturday, [[Concert 1989-04-22 Evanston|April 22, 1989]], McGaw Hall, Evanston, Illinois. | ||
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[[image:1989-04-24 Chicago Tribune page 1-14 clipping 01.jpg| | [[image:1989-04-24 Chicago Tribune page 1-14 clipping 01.jpg|260px]] | ||
<br><small>Clipping.</small> | <br><small>Clipping.</small> | ||
[[image:1989-04-24 Chicago Tribune page 1-14.jpg|x120px | <small>Page scan.</small><br> | ||
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{{Bibliography notes footer}} | {{Bibliography notes footer}} |
Latest revision as of 08:22, 25 August 2021
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