It was worth the wait. The third and final night, again a sell-out, was presented in a tacky music-hall manner by a jovial Napoleon Dynamite (aka Elvis Costello) complete with the Spinning Songbook Spectacular whirly-wheel, caged and willing dancers from the audience and a sign at the front of the stage which read "Request," providing the flavour for a memorable night of "rockin' soap opera."
Although we got no Coward Brothers stint, Elvis did unleash the legendary BP Fallon for a spot of lively co-hosting, Steve Cooney on digeredoo for one number and Terry Wogan on the telly. Except for a short solo set which produced the best of the night's cover versions in "Good Year For the Roses," the solid Attractions provided the perfect amount of thump and rhythm throughout the 2½-hour set. Near the end, just before the final number (an almost jaunty version of "I Want You") they gave it everything as they cracked up the volume for a brace of stomping renditions of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" and "Pump it Up".
With the party-like atmosphere established from the beginning, last night proved an exhilarating end to three nights of some great music from rock's most vital performer. We'll have to wait till January 7th to see his "Confederate" guests (James Burton, Benmonth Tench, Jim Keltner and Jerry Scheff) at the Stadium.
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