Melbourne Herald Sun, November 6, 2004: Difference between revisions
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{{:Australia publications index}} | {{:Australia publications index}} | ||
{{Bibliography article header}} | {{Bibliography article header}} | ||
<center><h3>Musical | <center><h3> Musical chairs </h3></center> | ||
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<center> Glenn Mitchell </center> | <center> Glenn Mitchell </center> | ||
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'''Elvis Costello has no qualms about playing classical or rock, telling Glenn Mitchell his fans can either take it or leave it | '''Elvis Costello has no qualms about playing classical or rock, telling Glenn Mitchell his fans can either take it or leave it | ||
{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
Whenever some contemptible idiot journalist goes on about that sell-out crap I show them the door | Whenever some contemptible idiot journalist goes on about that sell-out crap I show them the door. | ||
Elvis Costello is at the pointy end of a very sharp debate about his musical legacy and direction. | |||
That is: has the one-time punk legend sold out, and can he rock 'n' roll the way he used to, given he's been collaborating with such mainstream artists as | That is: has the one-time punk legend sold out, and can he rock 'n' roll the way he used to, given he's been collaborating with such mainstream artists as Burt Bacharach and Paul McCartney? | ||
Costello's work in recent years | Costello's work in recent years — primarily ballads and classical music — has isolated as many of his old fans as it has gained new ones. | ||
Lauded initially for energetic and literate attacks on the ills of Margaret Thatcher's England, Costello has become a peerless master of the popular song. Naturally, every artist has to move with the times, but Costello's collaborations seemed a generation away from the days when he attacked authority like a threshing machine. | Lauded initially for energetic and literate attacks on the ills of Margaret Thatcher's England, Costello has become a peerless master of the popular song. Naturally, every artist has to move with the times, but Costello's collaborations seemed a generation away from the days when he attacked authority like a threshing machine. | ||
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But the question of a sell-out remains high in discussions about him. | But the question of a sell-out remains high in discussions about him. | ||
"This nonsense about me is just that | "This nonsense about me is just that — nonsense. In fact it's one of the more ridiculous debates I've ever come across," Costello says. | ||
"I haven't sold out or some such rubbish. I'm a songwriter with a wide sphere of interest. I like classical, I like rock 'n' roll, I like Burt Bacharach. I mean, what's the big deal?" | "I haven't sold out or some such rubbish. I'm a songwriter with a wide sphere of interest. I like classical, I like rock 'n' roll, I like Burt Bacharach. I mean, what's the big deal?" | ||
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Costello is playing twice in Melbourne, his first appearance at the Palais on [[Concert 2004-11-23 Melbourne|November 23]]. | Costello is playing twice in Melbourne, his first appearance at the Palais on [[Concert 2004-11-23 Melbourne|November 23]]. | ||
In many areas of the musical press, he is no longer seen as a new-wave icon in the realms of the Sex Pistols' John Lydon or Joe Strummer from | In many areas of the musical press, he is no longer seen as a new-wave icon in the realms of the Sex Pistols' John Lydon or Joe Strummer from the Clash. | ||
So, because he appears to have slipped into the mainstream, opinions about Costello are furiously divided. | So, because he appears to have slipped into the mainstream, opinions about Costello are furiously divided. | ||
Some regard his work now as the natural progression of one of the most talented songwriters of his generation, spurred on by the inspiration he gets from his wife, Canadian jazz singer Diana Krall. | |||
Others simply pine for the high-octane drive of his earlier work. They miss songs like | Others simply pine for the high-octane drive of his earlier work. They miss songs like "Watching the Detectives," "Pump It Up," "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea" and "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down." | ||
Well, Costello is coming to Australia to let his fans know this: he can still rock 'n' roll with the best of them. And, boy, does he like playing the role of doorman. | Well, Costello is coming to Australia to let his fans know this: he can still rock 'n' roll with the best of them. And, boy, does he like playing the role of doorman. | ||
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It didn't happen this time. Costello, known for his scowling contempt for many sections of the musical press, was in an expansive, talkative mood. | It didn't happen this time. Costello, known for his scowling contempt for many sections of the musical press, was in an expansive, talkative mood. | ||
"The same people who are asking me these sorts of questions nowadays are the same people who didn't understand what I was doing 25 years ago | "The same people who are asking me these sorts of questions nowadays are the same people who didn't understand what I was doing 25 years ago — Christ, they don't even understand Burt Bacharach, who is one of the all-time great songwriters. | ||
"The questions these bozos ask are simply designed to provoke and I've always had contempt for them. They never understood what I was talking about and they still don't. They thought I was making grand statements and painted me as a leader of a new-wave generation. | "The questions these bozos ask are simply designed to provoke and I've always had contempt for them. They never understood what I was talking about and they still don't. They thought I was making grand statements and painted me as a leader of a new-wave generation. | ||
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"I'm just putting out records for people to listen to. People overestimate bravery or risk when it comes to music. Bravery is an innocent man facing a firing squad. Any musician who believes otherwise is disappearing up their own backside." | "I'm just putting out records for people to listen to. People overestimate bravery or risk when it comes to music. Bravery is an innocent man facing a firing squad. Any musician who believes otherwise is disappearing up their own backside." | ||
Born Declan Patrick MacManus, Costello was raised in Liverpool and was the son of British bandleader | Born Declan Patrick MacManus, Costello was raised in Liverpool and was the son of British bandleader Ross MacManus. | ||
He took his stage name from | He took his stage name from Elvis Presley and from his great-grandmother, Elizabeth Costello. He began performing professionally in 1969 and was a musician/singer in many bands around London before forming a moderately successful pub-rock band, Flip City, in the mid-'70s. | ||
Working as a full-time computer operator, he landed his first record deal with | Working as a full-time computer operator, he landed his first record deal with Stiff Records in 1977 and recorded his first album, ''My Aim Is True'', while on vacation. As fans know, the album was a smash hit and landed EC a worldwide distribution deal with Columbia records. | ||
Forming his back-up group the Attractions for his second album, Costello quickly joined the giants of the new-wave revolution. | |||
His cutting commentary on Thatcherism, his unique style and his downright brilliant songwriting made him, effectively (whether he wanted it or not), the voice of a disaffected generation. | His cutting commentary on Thatcherism, his unique style and his downright brilliant songwriting made him, effectively (whether he wanted it or not), the voice of a disaffected generation. | ||
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"I was never the voice of a generation," he says. "Sure, I had things to say, but really what I was about was writing the best music I possibly could. If the fans liked the music, great. Did it have an effect socially? I don't know. But that's not what it was about." | "I was never the voice of a generation," he says. "Sure, I had things to say, but really what I was about was writing the best music I possibly could. If the fans liked the music, great. Did it have an effect socially? I don't know. But that's not what it was about." | ||
Costello still does not shy away from commenting through his songs on what he sees are the social and political ills of today. On his latest album, ''The Delivery Man'', the song Bedlam is a cutting indictment of Western foreign policy. | Costello still does not shy away from commenting through his songs on what he sees are the social and political ills of today. On his latest album, ''The Delivery Man'', the song "Bedlam" is a cutting indictment of Western foreign policy. | ||
"The world today has a real air of insanity about it. | "The world today has a real air of insanity about it. | ||
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When Costello collaborated with Bacharach, many long-time Costello fans were appalled their musical hero would commit such alleged musical heresy. | When Costello collaborated with Bacharach, many long-time Costello fans were appalled their musical hero would commit such alleged musical heresy. | ||
And after writing the music for a classical ballet adaptation of Shakespeare's ''A | And after writing the music for a classical ballet adaptation of Shakespeare's ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'', they went into near-cardiac arrest. | ||
The album ''Il Sogno'' was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and released on the same day as ''The Delivery Man''. But hardcore fans wondered: what was their idol thinking? | The album ''Il Sogno'' was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and released on the same day as ''The Delivery Man''. But hardcore fans wondered: what was their idol thinking? | ||
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"But with something like ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'', I could really put some humour into the music, and that is something I have been looking to do for a long time." | "But with something like ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'', I could really put some humour into the music, and that is something I have been looking to do for a long time." | ||
After its premiere in Bologna, the ballet was staged throughout Italy, Germany, France and Russia. Costello then recorded it with the London Symphony Orchestra. | |||
As for the reactions of his fans, Costello says they can take it or leave it. | As for the reactions of his fans, Costello says they can take it or leave it. | ||
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"So it still puzzles me why these lovely Italians came to me with such a crazy offer. Perhaps they thought they were playing some sort of joke and my initial response was to say no but they were just so passionate about having me I couldn't say no." | "So it still puzzles me why these lovely Italians came to me with such a crazy offer. Perhaps they thought they were playing some sort of joke and my initial response was to say no but they were just so passionate about having me I couldn't say no." | ||
Costello's rock album with his band, Elvis Costello and | Costello's rock album with his band, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, certainly allays fears he has given up on rock 'n' roll. It features driving rock and his trademark ballads, strongly reminiscent of the style of music that won so much acclaim in the late '70s and early '80s. | ||
Costello's personal life, particularly his marriage to Krall (with whom he co-collaborates), has been a major settling influence. | Costello's personal life, particularly his marriage to Krall (with whom he co-collaborates), has been a major settling influence. | ||
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The relationship with Krall surprised both of them. | The relationship with Krall surprised both of them. | ||
"In terms of what happened between us, we imagined we'd collaborate and we'd been friends and then life takes you over and something crazy happens | "In terms of what happened between us, we imagined we'd collaborate and we'd been friends and then life takes you over and something crazy happens — in our case we got married." | ||
Krall had been through a particularly difficult period with the loss of her mother and both felt her music did not reflect the recent experiences of her life. | Krall had been through a particularly difficult period with the loss of her mother and both felt her music did not reflect the recent experiences of her life. | ||
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"I became really a sympathetic lyrical editor at first and then, bam, we got married." | "I became really a sympathetic lyrical editor at first and then, bam, we got married." | ||
Elvis Costello and the Imposters play at the Palais, Nov 23 and | {{cx}} | ||
'''Elvis Costello and the Imposters play at the Palais, [[Concert 2004-11-23 Melbourne|Nov 23]] and A Day On The Green, [[Concert 2004-11-27 Melbourne|Nov 27]], Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley. <!-- Tickets: [http://www.ticketmaster7.com www.ticketmaster7.com] --> | |||
{{Bibliography boxx}} | |||
<center><h3> The Elvis sightings </h3></center> | |||
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<center> Glenn Mitchell </center> | |||
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{{Bibliography text}} | |||
Elvis Costello's breakthrough album was ''My Aim Is True'', in 1977. It led to him signing a worldwide distribution deal with Columbia Records. | |||
''Armed Forces'' in 1979 and ''Taking Liberties'' in 1980 both reached No. 2 on the UK charts. Throughout the '80s his albums continued to reach the UK Top 10, and several made it in the US. | |||
His double CD, ''The Very Best of Elvis Costello'' in 1999, was also a hit, rising to No. 4. | |||
From "Alison" and "Pump It Up" to "(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea," Costello has released a stream of singles that have stood the test of time. | |||
Perhaps his signature recording is "Watching the Detectives," which propelled him into the pantheon of new-wave greats. | |||
In the 1990s Costello released 13 albums. Three went Top 10, and in 1998 he collaborated with Burt Bacharach on the highly successful ''Painted From Memory'', a collection of love songs. | |||
He also released jazz albums and, in 2003, Costello and the Attractions, his original band, were [[Concert 2003-03-10 New York|inducted]] into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. | |||
This year he released ''Il Sogno'', a classical version of ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'', with the London Symphony Orchestra and, on the same day, a rock album, ''The Delivery Man''. | |||
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{{tags}}[[The Delivery Man]] {{-}} [[The Imposters]] {{-}} [[Il Sogno]] {{-}} [[London Symphony Orchestra]] {{-}} [[A Midsummer Night's Dream]] {{-}} [[William Shakespeare]] {{-}} [[Burt Bacharach]] {{-}} [[Paul McCartney]] {{-}} [[Margaret Thatcher]] {{-}} [[The Sex Pistols]] {{-}} [[John Lydon]] {{-}} [[Joe Strummer]] {{-}} [[The Clash]] {{-}} [[Watching The Detectives]] {{-}} [[Pump It Up]] {{-}} [[(I{{nb}}Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea]] {{-}} [[I{{nb}}Can't Stand Up For Falling Down]] {{-}} [[Declan Patrick MacManus]] {{-}} [[Ross MacManus]] {{-}} [[Elvis Presley]] {{-}} [[Flip City]] {{-}} [[Elizabeth Arden]] {{-}} [[Stiff Records]] {{-}} [[My Aim Is True]] {{-}} [[Columbia Records]] {{-}} [[The{{nb}}Attractions]] {{-}} [[This Year's Model]] {{-}} [[Bedlam]] {{-}} [[Armed Forces]] {{-}} [[Taking Liberties]] {{-}} [[The Very Best Of Elvis Costello]] {{-}} [[Alison]] {{-}} [[Burt Bacharach]] {{-}} [[Painted From Memory]] {{-}} [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] {{-}} [[Diana Krall]] | |||
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{{Bibliography notes}} | {{Bibliography notes}} | ||
''' | {{Bibliography next | ||
|prev = Melbourne Herald Sun, October 31, 1999 | |||
|next = Melbourne Herald Sun, November 14, 2004 | |||
}} | |||
'''The Herald Sun, November 6, 2004 | |||
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[[Glenn Mitchell]] interviews Elvis | [[Glenn Mitchell]] interviews Elvis Costello ahead of concerts in Melbourne, [[Concert 2004-11-23 Melbourne|November 23]], and Yarra Valley, [[Concert 2004-11-27 Melbourne|November 27]]. | ||
{{Bibliography | {{Bibliography images}} | ||
[[image:2004-11-06 Melbourne Herald Sun, Weekend cover.jpg|380px]] | |||
<br><small>Cover.</small> | |||
{{Bibliography notes footer}} | {{Bibliography notes footer}} | ||
{{Bibliography footer}} | {{Bibliography footer}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ HeraldSun.com.au] | *[https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ HeraldSun.com.au] | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Herald_Sun Wikipedia: Melbourne Herald Sun] | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Herald_Sun Wikipedia: Melbourne Herald Sun] | ||
*[http://www.elviscostello.info/articles/h-l/herald_sun.041106.php | *[http://www.elviscostello.info/articles/h-l/herald_sun.041106.php elviscostello.info] | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Melbourne Herald Sun 2004-11-06}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Melbourne Herald Sun 2004-11-06}} |
Latest revision as of 12:32, 8 February 2022
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