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Writing about music," Elvis Costello once said in an interview, "is like dancing about architecture. It's a stupid thing to do."
True but I'll do it, anyway.
In a business in which the latest pop music outrage is assimilated and reprocessed for mass consumption, Elvis Costello has defied categorization. He is quirky; and this quirkiness, while at times maddening, is part of this tremendously talented songwriter's appeal.
As a songwriter, he is as prolific as he is tasteful, as romantic as he is hateful. His lyrics are a joyful twist of consonance and alliteration, alternately defiant, self-mocking and forgiving.
Stylistically diverse, the only forms of pop music Costello has not yet explored are straight American blues and jazz, though he has flirted with both.
When Costello takes the stage Tuesday at Duke University's Cameron Indoor Stadium, local pop snobs will get a taste of his most recent incarnation: Costello as warbling troubadour and game-show host. His staple rhythm section, The Attractions, will not appear with him. Pity.
Nick Lowe ("I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll," "Cruel to Be Kind"), Costello's brother-in-arms and his first producer, will open the show, likewise solo. Later on, the two will perform a duet.
Costello's performance will also feature his Spinning Songbook, a carnival-game wheel emblazoned with a healthy selection of titles of Costello songs. Audience members spin the wheel, and Costello performs whichever song comes up.
It beats hollering requests from the cheap seats, anyway.
With this format, fans can expect a smorgasboard of the Costello ditties ranging from his early days (My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces and Get Happy!!) to the more subtle work of Imperial Bedroom and King of America.
Reviews of his solo performances in Rolling Stone and Musician lavished praise on Costello's gift for vocal stylings and inflection and on his creditable guitar and piano playing. (Costello, however, credited himself as "The Little Hands Of Concrete" on King of America).
Tickets are still available for the show through the Page Auditorium box office at Duke.
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