From The Elvis Costello Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
—
|
Taking Liberties
Elvis Costello
Jeff Webb
|
Around this time of year record labels put out live albums and greatest hits collections to cash in on the Christmas season. CBS is no different. An exception is the case of Elvis Costello who, in America, has had about enough hits for an EP. So they released a collection of his greatest "misses": songs you missed out on unless you bought every English 45 and Lp.
I don't think this album will win many new fans; but it will sell to those who bought his other Lps, so it was a smart business move for CBS. For those who haven't heard much of El's music it's a good introduction to the many distinctive styles his writing encompasses.
The album starts off with the previously unreleased "Clean Money," a breakneck rocker. (There are two other unreleased tracks.) By the time you've gone through the 20 tunes Elvis has gone from R&B ("Getting Mighty Crowded"); to straight country ("Stranger In The House"); a touching version of a classic ("My Funny Valentine"); and even a side trip to the carnival ("Sunday's Best"). Of course there are plenty of Costello's own brand of rock 'n' roll tunes.
If you haven't listened to Elvis Costello you're missing out on the most versatile and clever songwriter in music today. So Take Liberties, he won't mind.
|
|
Page scan.
Cover.
|
|
|
|
External links
