On the evidence of this date, Elvis may be strapping on his soul rebel shoes again.
He's certainly finished his flirtation with the country for the meantime. This set had Costello performing a blistering cover of the soul standard "Back Stabbers" with a barnstorming brass section. He could be well-placed to take advantage of the current vogue for hard-nosed soul.
He's also become a more versatile singer, as his own sensitive reading of "Shipbuilding" proved. Though the Attractions still have the habit of ramming the faster songs down your throat, they also showed more flexible, jazz and reggae touches with "Watching The Detectives."
His new album will be called Punch The Clock, he told us.
Six months ago, I was worried Costello was becoming a cult. On this show, I figure his commercial revival could be imminent.
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