My Aim Is True
From the Rykodisk liner notes:
My Aim Is True was recorded at Pathway Studios, Islington in a total of twenty-four hours studio time and at a cost of 2000 pounds. As I still had my "day-job", these sessions had to take place on "sick days" and holidays during late 1976 and early 1977. The musicians were members of the Marin county band Clover, who could not be credited at the time due to contractual reasons. The producer was Nick Lowe, who I had met, unlikely as it may sound, in The Grapes public house, opposite The Cavern, Liverpool in 1972.
After the failure of two single releases ("Less Than Zero" and "Alison"), Stiff records nevertheless decided to release the album and asked me to "turn professional" and find a band that would become the Attractions. At the subsequent auditions I was assisted by Steve Goulding and Andrew Bodnar from The Rumour, but after playing "Alison" and "Less Than Zero" for the 20th time it became essential to do something in order to relieve the boredom".
"Having gone to the trouble of learning two brand new songs, it was this line up which recorded a version of "No Action" (Now sadly lost) and "Watching the Detectives" to which Steve Nieve later added Piano and Organ."
UK tracklist, 1977Side 1
|
US tracklist, 1977Side 1 Side 2
|
Personnel
- Elvis Costello - guitar, vocals, backing vocals
- The Shamrocks (aka Clover):
- John McFee - guitar, pedal steel
- Sean Hopper - keyboards, backing vocals
- Johnny Ciambotti - bass, backing vocals
- Micky Shine - drums
- Nick Lowe - backing vocals
- Except:
- Mystery Dance:
- Less Than Zero:
- Stan Shaw - organ
- Watching The Detectives:
- Steve Goulding - drums
- Andrew Bodnar - bass
- Steve Nieve - piano, organ
Charts
- #14 (UK), #32 (US).
- Went silver (60,000 copies) in the UK (date unknown).
- Went gold (500,000 copies) in the US in 1981.
- Went platinum (1 million copies) in the US in 1991.
Notes
- The track times listed on the LP are totally wrong.
- Album recorded in a total of 24 hours at Pathway Studios, Islington.
- Early LP covers had a black & white photo on the front, and many different coloured backs. Later issues had a green tint on the front picture and a green back. The Demon issue originally had a yellow tint on the photo and a yellow back, and the reissue has a green tint photo. The early covers also have different manufacturer credits on the back cover and label: "Made & manufactured by Press & Post" & "Distributed by Island Records". There are thought to be at least 11 different cover variations.
- The first few UK copies came with a poster and a form asking the buyer to send in the address of a friend, who would then receive a free copy. The form read:
- HELP US HYPE ELVIS
- In these John Denver days, people in Framptonland are loathe to shell out on new artists. As you've bought this record we assume that you groove to the Elvis GB sound. As you know there are only two Elvis. On is fat and famous, one is small and languishes in obscurity. Stiff Records, ever keen to meet the record buying public demands, have hatched a plot that allows you to become a potent factor in El's future. Here's how are See-Elvis-Go-Gold-Stiff-Go-Broke scheme works. You pay the postage. We send the album. And all you have to do is write no more than 25 words why you like the English Elvis and send this sheet (together with postage stamps to the value of 23p) to: Stiff Records, 32 Alexander Street, London W2. We will then send a free album to the person of your choice who you think can do the most for Elvis. This offer is limited to the UK only. We are only giving away 1000 albums (Jeesus - only 1000!) so write off today and grab a small stake in shaping El's destiny. His meal ticket, your El Dorado. This offer does not apply to Island Records executives, groupies, liggers, Elvis Costello and employees of Stiff.
- According to Goldmine Record Collector, in 1984 Columbia Records reissued, in the U.S. & Canada, all of studio albums to that time (MAIT, TYM, AF, GH, T, AB, IB, & PTC) with the prefix “PC” instead of the original “JC” or “FC”, but the same 5-digit number as before.
Reviews
New Musical Express, 1977-07-23
Internal links
External links
- All Music Guide: Review
- Elvis Costello Fan Forum: Liner Notes
