Review
Elvis Costello & The Roots: 'Wise Up Ghost & Other Songs' ****
English via Google Translate...
Elvis Costello turns his hand for daring collaborations. Why should he? Even in the hip-hoppers The Roots took the former angry young man again a perfect sparring partner.
Lulu. Barely two different letters, but they give music fans enough fuel to ignite in a fiery wrath. Lulu not only turned the musical monstrosity of Lou Reed and Metallica, but proved à fond that the water between opposing souls sometimes stays better too deep.
When Elvis Costello and The Roots fairway that seems again the crow flies, between the coast of England and the East Coast of Philadelphia. But Costello has an edge. Just by his one-twos with Allen Toussaint, Burt Bacharach, Paul McCartney or opera singer Anne Sofie von Otter deserves this British musician the benefit of the doubt. His collected works additionally swung between punk (My Aim is True), new wave (This Year's Model), bluegrass and country (Secret, Profane and Sugarcane) of New Orleans jazz (The River in Reverse). And to sign The Roots dare arranged outside the confines of hip hop. Band member Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson, who along songs wrote on 'Wise Up Ghost', was also a supplier of hand for Amy Winehouse, Al Jarreau, Jay-Z and Joe Jackson. Span and services
Political and sexual
What happens when you put both artistic duvelstoejagers opposite each other? Frankly, nothing startling. By frequent genre hopping Costello never seems he is very far outside his comfort zone must step. Certainly not when he winks at his own back catalog: "Pills and Soap" (1983) processed in "Stick Out Your Tongue" and "Satellite" (1989) turns in a circle 'Tripwire'.
In turn, The Roots appear on 'Wise Up Ghost' especially care for the music that preceded hiphop. Jazz Fusion and seventies funk constitute the main sound palette on this record. So fleemt a funky 'Refuse to Be Saved "with" Inner Visions "by Stevie Wonder, and wears" Stick Out Your Tongue "the brooding esprit Dr. John in it. Closest of all to come The Roots at their typical Philly Grooves in the overture 'Walk Us Uptown.
Remarkably, political and sexual overtones to "Wise Up Ghost". In 'She Might Be a (Grenade)' a sensual portrait painted of a woman who slowly year dress hangs open, her hair loose as and then pull out a pin. A femme fatale in every possible sense of the word.
Terrorist threat, but also religious mania creeps cautiously inside the doo-wop tinged 'Tripwire'. "Just because you don't speak the language, doesn't mean that you can't understand", lulls the crooner in Costello tenderness.
He could talk about his own marriage with The Roots: a world of difference between their musical language, yet both grandiose melt together. Really only is the closing ballad "If I Could Believe' disappointing, when Costello a happy medium between schmalz and grate looking for.
On the one tipsy uncle after the marriage between The Roots and Elvis Costello, however, a moment sounds forced. Imperative once more.
"Wise Up Ghost & Other Songs' by Elvis Costello & The Roots is out on Blue Note.
| 
