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Elvis Costello must now surely be recognised as one of Britain's best contemporary songwriters and must surely front one of the finest bands in the country. He has consistently proved that his aim is true, the evidence being four vital and exciting albums, excluding the patchy Armed Forces, and a string of classic pop singles. Each record has built on the foundation laid by previous ones, with the end result being a repertoire possessing a strength and depth of feeling and passion matched by few, if any other band.
Costello concerts benefit from the songs being less than three minutes long, which means you can hear a fair selection in one night. Nearly 30 songs were played and not one was extra baggage. This is class. This is soul. This is POP.
The band came on with Elvis looking suitably Italian in his tinted red glasses, and gave the crowd a short sharp shock of four rapidly delivered singles: "Pump It Up," "Radio, Radio," "Chelsea" and "Oliver's Army." However, this didn't mean that the rest of the set was going to be a self-congratulatory pat on the back for past achievements.
Much of the set was drawn from Get Happy! and Trust with a few oddballs like "Little Sister" and a truly superb version of "One Day I'll Fly Away" thrown in, here and there, to keep your imagination guessing and your feet dancing.
There were numerous high spots, such as "Temptation" and "Hi Fidelity" which Costello made even more soulful and passionate than their vinyl versions. That's the good thing about Elvis Costello, he doesn't just churn out exact replicas of the studio versions, but adds to them; changing their shades and twisting their structures. "Clowntime is Over" was slowed down while "The Beat" was speeded up to give it a venomous punch which it doesn't throw on record.
Costello really seems to have gotten happy and was obviously enjoying himself onstage, "Lovers Walk" being one song which particularly pleased him, but then who wouldn't be pleased after writing a song like that. Its stuttering Bo Diddleyish beat and rhythm were a joy to listen to.
I was dismayed to hear the last song announced but fortunately we were given three encores. There was a more complete version of the latest single (Costello getting all the lines this time) and a frighteningly haunting "Detectives" which was given a very effective reggae treatment.
I can't say much more with only 400 words but hopefully you'll get the right impression. I apologise if I came over too sycophantic but then trust me to get happy!
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