GuitarVibe.com, June 22, 2006

Costello & Toussaint Bring Down the House

Mountain Winery, Saratoga CA 06/21/2006

Elvis Costello is touring North America through June and July to promote his newest CD The River in Reverse recorded with New Orleans virtuouso R&B pianoman Allen Toussaint. I must admit, I was a bit skeptical of the pairing of Costello and Toussaint. How would this fit with some of Costello's hit songs or even his more recent works like The Delivery Man or When I was Cruel? Costello has always been a music fan with eclectic taste and it has sometimes confounded critics and fans alike.

But after seeing Costello & Toussaint perform tonight at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California, I can say this was the best Costello gig I have seen. It was a rockin' show with the Imposters (long time sidemen Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve) on rhythm, Toussaint on piano and the Crescent City horn section adding a new dynamic to classic songs.

While some may remember Costello as the angry young man who sang "Radio Radio" nearly thirty years ago on Saturday Night Live or from his hits "Allison," and "Watching the Detectives", Costello's musical career spans thirty years with nearly as many albums and musical styles. But unlike many, Costello is not content to play note-for-note renditions of his hits; instead he reworks the music to fit into his current style and interest.

The evening started out with the Nick Lowe penned single "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" and included a balance of familar songs (Clown Strike, Tears before Bedtime, Deep Dark Truthful Mirror, High Fidelity, Pump It Up, Clubland, Watching the Detectives) as well as more recent works (Episode of Blonde, Monkey to Man, Bedlam) and about half of The River in Reverse. The set blended well together thanks to the clever arrangements by Toussaint.

Toussaint's piano added a soulful sound to the evening and the horn section punched up many of the songs; this was a great complement to Costello's biting guitar riffs. Some songs, like "Watching the Detectives" were reworked to great effect in what I can only describe as a psychotic jazzy style.

Toussaint sang lead vocals on his R&B hits Working in a Coalmine, Yes We Can, and What Do You Want the Girl to Do? Toussaint's solo tribute to Professor Longhair had the audience up and clapping which is a rare enough phenonema in Silicon Valley. Go see Costello & Toussaint live this summer; it'll be one of the best shows you'll see this year.

--ZUrlocker 15:48, 22 June 2006 (CDT)