Melody Maker, July 23, 1977: Difference between revisions
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Elvis Costello was introduced recently in these pages and enthusiastically acclaimed as one of the most distinctive and refreshing young performers to have sauntered out of the woodshed for some considerable time. | Elvis Costello was introduced recently in these pages and enthusiastically acclaimed as one of the most distinctive and refreshing young performers to have sauntered out of the woodshed for some considerable time. | ||
The recorded evidence to justify the hyperbole | The recorded evidence to justify the hyperbole — and convince even the most cynical and suspicious minds of El's immense potential — will be on the racks from July 22. | ||
I'd like to see it on the chart within the week, please. In fact, '' | I'd like to see it on the chart within the week, please. In fact, ''My Aim Is True'' could, given the opportunity and exposure, rocket with ease to national prominence: the collection contains enough potential hit singles to stock a bloody juke-box, belleve me. | ||
Two of the cuts, "[[Less Than Zero]]" and "[[Alison]]," have, of course, already been issued as 45s and conveniently suggest the scope of Costello's writing and provide musical reference points for the uninitiated. Elvis, like his contemporary. [[Graham Parker]], and his producer, [[Nick Lowe]] (who's recorded EI with sympathy, and an affinity for the composer's ideals), has a rare talent for seizing an image, an idea or a musical style and, however familiar its original shape, creating out of it something quite powerfully individual. | Two of the cuts, "[[Less Than Zero]]" and "[[Alison]]," have, of course, already been issued as 45s and conveniently suggest the scope of Costello's writing and provide musical reference points for the uninitiated. Elvis, like his contemporary. [[Graham Parker]], and his producer, [[Nick Lowe]] (who's recorded EI with sympathy, and an affinity for the composer's ideals), has a rare talent for seizing an image, an idea or a musical style and, however familiar its original shape, creating out of it something quite powerfully individual. | ||
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The theme of rejection is examined on the irresistible "[[(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes]]" (probably my favourite track on the album), but here the mood is more extrovert, with sparkling guitar chords crashing over vigorous piano, with Elvis providing one of the most exhilarating vocal performances on the entire record, with a vibrant back-up chorus supplying additional colour. This song's effervescence is challenged only by the magnificent "[[Mystery Dance]]," a perfectly realised homage to Fifties rock and roll with Elvis' vocal drenched in greasy echo, which presents a concise account of a guy's first sexual adventure and its disastrous development. | The theme of rejection is examined on the irresistible "[[(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes]]" (probably my favourite track on the album), but here the mood is more extrovert, with sparkling guitar chords crashing over vigorous piano, with Elvis providing one of the most exhilarating vocal performances on the entire record, with a vibrant back-up chorus supplying additional colour. This song's effervescence is challenged only by the magnificent "[[Mystery Dance]]," a perfectly realised homage to Fifties rock and roll with Elvis' vocal drenched in greasy echo, which presents a concise account of a guy's first sexual adventure and its disastrous development. | ||
''My Aim Is True'' is already a personal favourite | ''My Aim Is True'' is already a personal favourite — I can think of only a few albums released this year that rival its general excellence — and I can only hope its delights will be universally recognised. Hell, you can dance to it, swoon to it, sing along with it, laugh and cry with it, smooch and romance to it. And, to paraphrase Elvis Costello's "[[Welcome To The Working Week]]" I think it might thrill you, I know it won't kill you. Buy-buy. | ||
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''Melody Maker'' reports on the Elvis Costello tour announcement. | ''Melody Maker'' reports on the Elvis Costello tour announcement. | ||
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Concert listings include a preview of EC & [[The Attractions]] London debut at Dingwall's Dance Hall, Tuesday, [[Concert 1977-07-26 London|July 26, 1977]]. | |||
{{Bibliography images}} | {{Bibliography images}} | ||
[[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker | [[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker page 17 clipping 01.jpg|360px|border]] | ||
<br><small>Clipping.</small> | |||
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{{Bibliography box 360}} | <br>{{Bibliography box 360}} | ||
<center><h3> At last — Elvis to tour! </h3></center> | <center><h3> At last — Elvis to tour! </h3></center> | ||
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{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
[[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker clipping 03.jpg|160px|border|right]] | |||
Elvis Costello, the balladeer of the new wave whose debut album ''My Aim Is True'' is released this week on Stiff (see review on page 17) has formed a band and is [[:Category:1st Attractions Tour|touring]] through August and into September. | Elvis Costello, the balladeer of the new wave whose debut album ''My Aim Is True'' is released this week on Stiff (see review on page 17) has formed a band and is [[:Category:1st Attractions Tour|touring]] through August and into September. | ||
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[[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker photo 01.jpg|360px|border]] | |||
<br><small>Photo.</small> | |||
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{{Bibliography box 360}} | {{Bibliography box 360}} | ||
<center><h3> Concerts </h3></center> | <center><h3> Concerts </h3></center> | ||
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{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
ELVIS COSTELLO | ELVIS COSTELLO — Dingwall's Dance Hall, Camden Lock, London, Tuesday, July 26. Tickets: £1.50. Band onstage approximately 10.30 pm. Elvis Costello's London debut with his recently formed band, the Attractions, looks like being the event of the week (okay, we admit we're prejudiced). El's only other gigs in London have been at [[Concert 1977-05-27 London|the Nashville]] (supporting [[the Rumour]]) where he played solo. He was commanding and compulsive listening then; with the kind of band he's put together now he should be quite stunning. As his debut album, ''My Aim Is True'', testifies, Elvis Costello is presently one of the hottest new talents on legs. | ||
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[[image:1977-07-23 Melody Maker cover.jpg|x120px|border]] | |||
<br><small>Cover.</small> | |||
Revision as of 01:17, 3 September 2014
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