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On paper at least, the pairing of acclaimed mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter — known for her ambitiously broad exploration of the classical repertoire — with classical-dabbling pop tunesmith Elvis Costello seems like the perfect combination for a crossover bid. He's got great taste in covers and has worked with artists who've never heard of rock and roll. So what went wrong? Well, there's no faulting the tunes of Brian Wilson, Tom Waits, Paul McCartney, Kate McGarrigle, Ron Sexsmith and, naturally, Declan MacManus. It's just that the precise enunciation and rigid, on-the-beat timing of a classically trained singer comes across as cold, soulless and sometimes downright silly when applied to pop tunes. It's not quite as laugh-out-loud funny as, say, a Prince Charles rap record, but it's still good for a giggle.
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