Irish Times, December 2, 1994: Difference between revisions

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<center><h3> Second honeymoon off to  a shaky start </h3></center>
<center><h3> Second honeymoon off to  a shaky start </h3></center>
<center>''' Elvis Costello & The Attractions ''' / The Point </center>
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<center> Kevin Courtney </center>
<center> Kevin Courtney </center>
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'''Elvis Costello & The Attractions <br>
The Point
{{Bibliography text}}
{{Bibliography text}}
It' been said that Elvis and his backing band are a marriage made in heaven, and last night at The Point they gave us something old, something new, something borrowed and something almost blue. But the second honeymoon got off to a shaky start, as Costello and the Attractions tried to lull us into a false sense of security with "No Action," "Accidents Happen" and "Watching The Detectives." The band sounded suitably edgy for these early gems, but were a bit stilted during "Deep, Dark Truthful Mirror," not quite catching Costello's late-Eighties drift. "London's Brilliant Parade" was too cocky and clever even for a Blur album, and ended up wandering all over the place, needing a policeman to give it directions.  
It's been said that Elvis and his backing band are a marriage made in heaven, and last night at The Point they gave us something old, something new, something borrowed and something almost blue. But the second honeymoon got off to a shaky start, as Costello and the Attractions tried to lull us into a false sense of security with "No Action," "Accidents Will Happen" and "Watching The Detectives." The band sounded suitably edgy for these early gems, but were a bit stilted during "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror," not quite catching Costello's late-Eighties drift. "London's Brilliant Parade" was too cocky and clever even for a Blur album, and ended up wandering all over the place, needing a policeman to give it directions.  


"Pony Street" was more straightforward, with Steve Nieve's arpeggiated keyboard lines pointing the way, and "Sulky Girl" was a triumph of sorts: a good song which actually worked well onstage. If you weren't familiar with the recent ''Brutal Youth'' album, then you'd have been lost by now, looking for a link to the past, but the clipped guitars and jerky keyboards of "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea" may have provided a reminder of when Costello's music was all sneers and sarcastic asides.  
"Pony Street" was more straightforward, with Steve Nieve's arpeggiated keyboard lines pointing the way, and "Sulky Girl" was a triumph of sorts: a good song which actually worked well onstage. If you weren't familiar with the recent ''Brutal Youth'' album, then you'd have been lost by now, looking for a link to the past, but the clipped guitars and jerky keyboards of "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea" may have provided a reminder of when Costello's music was all sneers and sarcastic asides.  


But give me the subtle admonishments of "Clown Strike," with its gentle ribbing and trenchant hooks, or the veiled violence of "Kinder Murder," with its grazing guitar lines and wounding chorus. Soon, though. it's back to the oldies, and full marks to Costello for choosing the glam-slam of "Lipstick Vogue," but no kudos for the unprepossessing "You Belong To Me."
But give me the subtle admonishments of "Clown Strike," with its gentle ribbing and trenchant hooks, or the veiled violence of "Kinder Murder," with its grazing guitar lines and wounding chorus. Soon, though, it's back to the oldies, and full marks to Costello for choosing the glam-slam of "Lipstick Vogue," but no kudos for the unprepossessing "You Belong To Me."


The encore opened with the country & western tones of "Good Year For The Roses," and Elvis looked every bit the English Garth Brooks in his red shirt and black waistcoat — all he needed was a hat. "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" teetered a little, while "13 Steps Lead Down" took a few tumbles, but Costello and The Attractions then delivered a sure-fire hat-trick with "Radio Radio," "Oliver's Army" and an epic reading of "Alison," complete with a medley of "Tracks Of My Tears," "Tears Of A Clown" and "Clowntime Is Over." Sounds like old El is trying to out-climax Van the Man himself.  
The encore opened with the country & western tones of "Good Year For The Roses," and Elvis looked every bit the English Garth Brooks in his red shirt and black waistcoat — all he needed was a hat. "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" teetered a little, while "13 Steps Lead Down" took a few tumbles, but Costello and The Attractions then delivered a sure-fire hat-trick with "Radio, Radio," "Oliver's Army" and an epic reading of "Alison," complete with a medley of "Tracks Of My Tears," "Tears Of A Clown" and "Clowntime Is Over." Sounds like old El is trying to out-climax Van the Man himself.  


"(What's So Funny About) Peace Love & Understanding" and the perennial "Pump It Up" made for a wildly upbeat ending, but there were too many moments during the whole show when everything seemed in danger of deflating.
"(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love And Understanding" and the perennial "Pump It Up" made for a wildly upbeat ending, but there were too many moments during the whole show when everything seemed in danger of deflating.


{{cx}}
{{tags}}[[Concert 1994-12-01 Dublin|Point Theatre]] {{-}} [[Dublin]] {{-}} [[Ireland]] {{-}} [[The Attractions]] {{-}} [[No Action]] {{-}} [[Accidents Will Happen]] {{-}} [[Watching The Detectives]] {{-}} [[Deep Dark Truthful Mirror]] {{-}} [[London's Brilliant Parade]] {{-}} [[Blur]] {{-}} [[Pony St.]] {{-}} [[Steve Nieve]] {{-}} [[Sulky Girl]] {{-}} [[Brutal Youth]] {{-}} [[(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea]] {{-}} [[Clown Strike]] {{-}} [[Kinder Murder]] {{-}} [[Lipstick Vogue]] {{-}} [[You Belong To Me]] {{-}} [[Good Year For The Roses]] {{-}} [[I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down]] {{-}} [[13 Steps Lead Down]] {{-}} [[Radio, Radio]] {{-}} [[Oliver's Army]] {{-}} [[Alison]] {{-}} [[Tracks Of My Tears]] {{-}} [[Tears Of A Clown]] {{-}} [[Clowntime Is Over]] {{-}} [[Van Morrison]] {{-}} [[(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?]] {{-}} [[Pump It Up]]
{{cx}}
{{cx}}


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{{Bibliography next
{{Bibliography next
|prev = Irish Times, January 8, 1993
|prev = Irish Times, January 8, 1993
|next = Irish Times, May 15, 2000
|next = Irish Times, May 17, 1996
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'''The Irish Times, December 2, 1994
'''The Irish Times, December 2, 1994
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[[Category:1994 UK Tour| Irish Times 1994-12-02]]
[[Category:1994 UK Tour|~Irish Times 1994-12-02]]

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Irish Times

UK & Ireland newspapers

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Second honeymoon off to a shaky start


Kevin Courtney

Elvis Costello & The Attractions
The Point

It's been said that Elvis and his backing band are a marriage made in heaven, and last night at The Point they gave us something old, something new, something borrowed and something almost blue. But the second honeymoon got off to a shaky start, as Costello and the Attractions tried to lull us into a false sense of security with "No Action," "Accidents Will Happen" and "Watching The Detectives." The band sounded suitably edgy for these early gems, but were a bit stilted during "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror," not quite catching Costello's late-Eighties drift. "London's Brilliant Parade" was too cocky and clever even for a Blur album, and ended up wandering all over the place, needing a policeman to give it directions.

"Pony Street" was more straightforward, with Steve Nieve's arpeggiated keyboard lines pointing the way, and "Sulky Girl" was a triumph of sorts: a good song which actually worked well onstage. If you weren't familiar with the recent Brutal Youth album, then you'd have been lost by now, looking for a link to the past, but the clipped guitars and jerky keyboards of "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea" may have provided a reminder of when Costello's music was all sneers and sarcastic asides.

But give me the subtle admonishments of "Clown Strike," with its gentle ribbing and trenchant hooks, or the veiled violence of "Kinder Murder," with its grazing guitar lines and wounding chorus. Soon, though, it's back to the oldies, and full marks to Costello for choosing the glam-slam of "Lipstick Vogue," but no kudos for the unprepossessing "You Belong To Me."

The encore opened with the country & western tones of "Good Year For The Roses," and Elvis looked every bit the English Garth Brooks in his red shirt and black waistcoat — all he needed was a hat. "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" teetered a little, while "13 Steps Lead Down" took a few tumbles, but Costello and The Attractions then delivered a sure-fire hat-trick with "Radio, Radio," "Oliver's Army" and an epic reading of "Alison," complete with a medley of "Tracks Of My Tears," "Tears Of A Clown" and "Clowntime Is Over." Sounds like old El is trying to out-climax Van the Man himself.

"(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love And Understanding" and the perennial "Pump It Up" made for a wildly upbeat ending, but there were too many moments during the whole show when everything seemed in danger of deflating.


Tags: Point TheatreDublinIrelandThe AttractionsNo ActionAccidents Will HappenWatching The DetectivesDeep Dark Truthful MirrorLondon's Brilliant ParadeBlurPony St.Steve NieveSulky GirlBrutal Youth(I Don't Want To Go To) ChelseaClown StrikeKinder MurderLipstick VogueYou Belong To MeGood Year For The RosesI Can't Stand Up For Falling Down13 Steps Lead DownRadio, RadioOliver's ArmyAlisonTracks Of My TearsTears Of A ClownClowntime Is OverVan Morrison(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?Pump It Up

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The Irish Times, December 2, 1994


Kevin Courtney reviews Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Thursday, December 1, 1994, Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland.

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1994-12-02 Irish Times clipping 01.jpg
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