London Evening Standard, May 18, 1995: Difference between revisions

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'''The Evening Standard, May 18, 1995
'''The Evening Standard, May 18, 1995

Revision as of 22:44, 15 September 2021

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London Evening Standard

UK & Ireland newspapers

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Lacking in attraction


Max Bell

Elvis Costello
Shepherds Bush Empire

Elvis Costello's career can seem so refined it's possible to lose sight of the fanatic in him. His recent covers album Kojak Variety — named after a Barbados department store close to the studio it was recorded in — formed the basis for last night's one-off performance which featured the Attractions and special guest guitarists James Burton and Marc Ribot.

The concert proved to be a labour of love for both the artiste and the audience — accent on the word labour.

Costello was not in the best of voices, a bit of a shame since American radio was taking it live, and Elvis's enthusiasm for obscure material by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, The Supremes and Mose Allison didn't translate.

Given the breadth of songs on offer — Ray Noble's "The Very Thought Of You" up to Aretha Franklin's "Running Out Of Fools" — you still couldn't escape the samey quality of the delivery.

Burton's hot-licks pepped up a pretty soggy start once he came on to add that country twang to "Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down," but the Attractions were muted and Costello's vocal limitations showed that he's not quite as versatile as he thinks he is.

I suppose it's typical of critics to nitpick when a chap is only trying to entertain, but the level of chat among the crowd told a sorry story, even rockier numbers like Little Richard's "Bama Lama Bama Loo" and Little Willie John's "Leave My Kitten Alone" fell foul of the general malaise.


Tags: The AttractionsJames BurtonMarc RibotShepherds Bush EmpireLondonKojak VarietyScreamin' Jay HawkinsThe SupremesMose AllisonRay NobleThe Very Thought Of YouAretha FranklinRunning Out Of FoolsTonight The Bottle Let Me DownLittle RichardBama Lama Bama LooLittle Willie JohnLeave My Kitten Alone

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The Evening Standard, May 18, 1995


Max Bell reviews Elvis Costello & The Attractions with James Burton and Marc Ribot, Wednesday, May 17, 1995, Shepherds Bush Empire, London, England.

Images

File:1995-05-18 London Evening Standard clipping 01.jpg
Clipping (from ECIS).

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