Coachella Valley Weekly, October 24, 2018: Difference between revisions
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A year later he released the brilliantly Baroque ''Imperial Bedroom'', which seemed inspired by Cole Porter and the Beatles in equal measure. The following year, ''Punch The Clock'' took its cues from creamy Philadelphia Soul, adding backing vocalists and a horn section to the mix. | A year later he released the brilliantly Baroque ''Imperial Bedroom'', which seemed inspired by Cole Porter and the Beatles in equal measure. The following year, ''Punch The Clock'' took its cues from creamy Philadelphia Soul, adding backing vocalists and a horn section to the mix. | ||
It seemed like his musical reach was limitless, ''King Of America'', produced by musician T | It seemed like his musical reach was limitless, ''King Of America'', produced by musician T{{nb}}Bone Burnett and recorded in 1986, authentically tackled the Country and Folk idioms. ''Blood And Chocolate'', released that same year offered a blistering set of concise Rockers. In 1989 he delivered ''Spike'' which featured collaborations with Paul McCartney, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Allen Toussaint, the Chieftans and Chrissie Hynde. Two years later, ''Mighty Like A Rose'' embraced the elegant Pop craft of ‘60s bands like the Left Banke. | ||
In 1993 he collaborated with the Brodsky String Quartet, creating ''The Juliet Letters'', an extravagant song cycle based on imaginary epistles written to Shakespeare's tragic heroine, "Juliet." Then he doubled back to the make two records with the Attractions, ''Brutal Youth'' and ''All This Useless Beauty'' in 1994 and 1996, respectively. As the ‘90s closed he made a brilliant record with buttery ‘60s tunesmith, Burt Bacaharach. The pair had come together to collaborate on a song for director Allison Anders' Pop music valentine, ''Grace Of My Heart''. The result, "God Give Me Strength," became the catalyst for writing and recording 1998's ''Painted From Memory''. | In 1993 he collaborated with the Brodsky String Quartet, creating ''The Juliet Letters'', an extravagant song cycle based on imaginary epistles written to Shakespeare's tragic heroine, "Juliet." Then he doubled back to the make two records with the Attractions, ''Brutal Youth'' and ''All This Useless Beauty'' in 1994 and 1996, respectively. As the ‘90s closed he made a brilliant record with buttery ‘60s tunesmith, Burt Bacaharach. The pair had come together to collaborate on a song for director Allison Anders' Pop music valentine, ''Grace Of My Heart''. The result, "God Give Me Strength," became the catalyst for writing and recording 1998's ''Painted From Memory''. | ||
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The year before he was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Elvis recorded ''When I Was Cruel'' with his new backing band, the Imposters, which featured Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas and new bassist, Davey Faragher. A caustic back-to-basics album, it was met with enthusiasm from fans and critics. Naturally, 2003's North charted an opposite course, offering up a Jazzy set of Sinatra-esque ballads that reflected the dissolution of his second marriage to Pogues bassist, Cait O'Roarke and his unexpected romance with Jazz chanteuse, Diana Krall. (The pair married in late 2003). | The year before he was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Elvis recorded ''When I Was Cruel'' with his new backing band, the Imposters, which featured Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas and new bassist, Davey Faragher. A caustic back-to-basics album, it was met with enthusiasm from fans and critics. Naturally, 2003's North charted an opposite course, offering up a Jazzy set of Sinatra-esque ballads that reflected the dissolution of his second marriage to Pogues bassist, Cait O'Roarke and his unexpected romance with Jazz chanteuse, Diana Krall. (The pair married in late 2003). | ||
The next year saw the release of an Americana effort, ''The Delivery Man'' recorded in Clarksdale, Mississippi and an orchestral record, ''Il Sogno''. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Elvis reconnected with Big Easy legend Allen Toussaint and recorded the Crescent City-flavored ''River In Reverse''. 2006 was also the year that Elvis and Diana welcomed twin sons, Dexter and Frank. Two years later, as he was adding guitar and vocals to Jenny Lewis' second solo effort, he felt so inspired that he booked studio time for the Imposters and cranked out his ''Momofuku'' album on the spot. 2009 saw the release of ''Secret, Profane & Sugarcane'', a Bluegrass effort that reunited him with best pal and producer T | The next year saw the release of an Americana effort, ''The Delivery Man'' recorded in Clarksdale, Mississippi and an orchestral record, ''Il Sogno''. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Elvis reconnected with Big Easy legend Allen Toussaint and recorded the Crescent City-flavored ''River In Reverse''. 2006 was also the year that Elvis and Diana welcomed twin sons, Dexter and Frank. Two years later, as he was adding guitar and vocals to Jenny Lewis' second solo effort, he felt so inspired that he booked studio time for the Imposters and cranked out his ''Momofuku'' album on the spot. 2009 saw the release of ''Secret, Profane & Sugarcane'', a Bluegrass effort that reunited him with best pal and producer T{{nb}}Bone Burnett. A year later they collaborated again on the elegantly eclectic ''National Ransom'' album. | ||
Three years later, Elvis was at his most experimental, writing and recording ''Wise Up Ghost'' with celebrated Hip-Hop collective The Roots. The record featured new songs as well as some deconstructed and recalibrated Elvis hits from his voluminous back catalogue. An unlikely collaboration, it ended up a spectacular artistic success, garnering positive reviews and managing to debut at #16 on the charts. | Three years later, Elvis was at his most experimental, writing and recording ''Wise Up Ghost'' with celebrated Hip-Hop collective The Roots. The record featured new songs as well as some deconstructed and recalibrated Elvis hits from his voluminous back catalogue. An unlikely collaboration, it ended up a spectacular artistic success, garnering positive reviews and managing to debut at #16 on the charts. | ||
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Finally, the supplementary disc closes with the gorgeous "You Shouldn't Look At Me That Way." The song originally appeared in the breathtaking Annette Bening movie, ''Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool''. Here, Elvis manages to capture the romantic frisson of the forbidden May-December between actress Gloria Grahame and her twentysomething paramour. Sweeping and grandiloquent, it closes out this collection in style. | Finally, the supplementary disc closes with the gorgeous "You Shouldn't Look At Me That Way." The song originally appeared in the breathtaking Annette Bening movie, ''Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool''. Here, Elvis manages to capture the romantic frisson of the forbidden May-December between actress Gloria Grahame and her twentysomething paramour. Sweeping and grandiloquent, it closes out this collection in style. | ||
''Look Now'' is dense and cinematic, easily his most satisfying album since ''When I Was Cruel''. As always, the Imposters are worthy musical foils. The edition of backing vocalists Kitten Kuroi and | ''Look Now'' is dense and cinematic, easily his most satisfying album since ''When I Was Cruel''. As always, the Imposters are worthy musical foils. The edition of backing vocalists Kitten Kuroi and Briana Lee up the ante considerably, providing a sympathetic Greek chorus. Throughout his career, Elvis has consistently followed his muse and charted his own course. Luckily, he always invites us along for the ride. | ||
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[[Eleni P. Austin]] profiles Elvis Costello and reviews ''[[Look Now]]''. | [[Eleni P. Austin]] profiles Elvis Costello and reviews ''[[Look Now]]''. | ||
{{Bibliography | {{Bibliography images}} | ||
[[image:Look Now album cover.jpg|180px|border|link=Look Now]] | |||
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Latest revision as of 17:00, 17 October 2021
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