Record Mirror, April 4, 1981: Difference between revisions
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Inaccessibility is essential for enhancing these qualities with the eventual effect of transforming an everyday character into a living legend. Greta Garbo got away with it in the forties and others too numerous to mention have sought to do the same ever since. | Inaccessibility is essential for enhancing these qualities with the eventual effect of transforming an everyday character into a living legend. Greta Garbo got away with it in the forties and others too numerous to mention have sought to do the same ever since. | ||
In the case of Costello there was the added incentive that he didn't need the publicity. From 1978's cataclysmic '' | In the case of Costello there was the added incentive that he didn't need the publicity. From 1978's cataclysmic ''This Year's Model'' he was amongst rock's hottest properties. Marathon tours paved the way towards cracking the English and European markets whilst America and other major territories also looked suitable cases for conquest. | ||
For not only was Elvis the most gifted songwriter since Dylan and Springsteen but his band, The Attractions, was one of the tightest imaginable whilst he was a dynamic visual focus. The following year saw his third album, '' | For not only was Elvis the most gifted songwriter since Dylan and Springsteen but his band, The Attractions, was one of the tightest imaginable whilst he was a dynamic visual focus. The following year saw his third album, ''Armed Forces'', enjoy a seven month sojourn in the British charts, its "Oliver's Army" 45 hovering round the top three for several weeks, making Costello a household name. So no need to do interviews, especially when you can still get front covers without them. | ||
Yet thus far 1979 represents the height of his success, especially in England. Last year's '' | Yet thus far 1979 represents the height of his success, especially in England. Last year's ''Get Happy!!'' LP stayed on the charts only half the amount of time as its predecessor and 1981 has seen a further decline in Costello's fortunes. Excellent though it is, the ''[[Trust]]'' album managed only a mere seven weeks in the Top 75, Elvis acknowledging its poor sales with a wry remark from the Manchester stage. | ||
Worse still, his last two singles stiffed completely. "[[Clubland]]" limped to No. 60 before disappearing whilst "[[From A Whisper To A Scream]]" never even made the chart. | Worse still, his last two singles stiffed completely. "[[Clubland]]" limped to No. 60 before disappearing whilst "[[From A Whisper To A Scream]]" never even made the chart. | ||
There seems no tangible reason for this downhill slide other than the fact that today's young record buyers have gone for newer heroes. Apart from | There seems no tangible reason for this downhill slide other than the fact that today's young record buyers have gone for newer heroes. Apart from Blondie, The Jam and The Boomtown Rats who, like Elvis, "graduated from the Class of '77," attention to him has been distracted by Adam & The Ants, The Police, Stray Cats and Spandau Ballet. | ||
There's scarcely the space here to analyse the reasons why they should be enjoying widespread success at his expense but one thing's for sure: whereas all the aforementioned make themselves readily available to the growing number of music papers and magazines which collectively sell more than a million copies each week. Costello still flatly refuses to talk to the Press. | There's scarcely the space here to analyse the reasons why they should be enjoying widespread success at his expense but one thing's for sure: whereas all the aforementioned make themselves readily available to the growing number of music papers and magazines which collectively sell more than a million copies each week. Costello still flatly refuses to talk to the Press. | ||
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Fortunately I also knew the promoter, Paul Loasby and he signalled to one of the tuxedoed security guys that it would be okay for me to join the fans. But the penguin refused to believe him and in order for Paul to impress upon him that he was in charge, he ended up wafting the evening's paycheck under the bouncer's nose. The promoter again then instructed him to let me backstage, adding the immortal jargon, `he's part of the situation." | Fortunately I also knew the promoter, Paul Loasby and he signalled to one of the tuxedoed security guys that it would be okay for me to join the fans. But the penguin refused to believe him and in order for Paul to impress upon him that he was in charge, he ended up wafting the evening's paycheck under the bouncer's nose. The promoter again then instructed him to let me backstage, adding the immortal jargon, `he's part of the situation." | ||
Confidently, if cautiously, I trekked up the stone stairs to the dressing room only to be confronted by Costello's manager, | Confidently, if cautiously, I trekked up the stone stairs to the dressing room only to be confronted by Costello's manager, Jake Riviera. Now Jake, known to his relations as Andrew Jakeman, is the arch-villain' behind his charge's non-interview policy. He has the reputation amongst journalists of being an aggressive, unpleasant little man and is renowned for his showdowns with reporters. | ||
Four years ago, when he co-owned Stiff Records, I nearly got involved in a nasty situation with the guy myself, simply for talking to | Four years ago, when he co-owned Stiff Records, I nearly got involved in a nasty situation with the guy myself, simply for talking to The Damned who were with that label at the time. Obviously, a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then and he didn't recognise me. | ||
“Good evening”, I offer, on seeing him seated in the middle of the dressing room; contentedly nursing a large drink. | “Good evening”, I offer, on seeing him seated in the middle of the dressing room; contentedly nursing a large drink. | ||
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Was it part of the 400-odd song stockpile he was rumoured to have at the start of his career? | Was it part of the 400-odd song stockpile he was rumoured to have at the start of his career? | ||
"No, but we do have a lot of material, which is why we're able to vary the set each night. Like this evening we included those | "No, but we do have a lot of material, which is why we're able to vary the set each night. Like this evening we included those Bobby Blue Bland and Merle Haggard songs." | ||
How's the tour been going? I've certainly come away from your gigs less impressed in the past. | How's the tour been going? I've certainly come away from your gigs less impressed in the past. | ||
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You intimated onstage that you're a bit put out that ''Trust'' didn't sell better — are you expecting the tour to revive sales? | You intimated onstage that you're a bit put out that ''Trust'' didn't sell better — are you expecting the tour to revive sales? | ||
"Well that's what tours are designed to do but to be honest one of the main reason we're on the road is because we suddenly realised we hadn't played for two years — apart from those few [[:Category:1980 UK Tour| | "Well that's what tours are designed to do but to be honest one of the main reason we're on the road is because we suddenly realised we hadn't played for two years — apart from those few seaside [[:Category:1980 UK Tour|gigs]] last Spring." | ||
What have you been up to in the meantime? | What have you been up to in the meantime? | ||
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"Okay — considering. We're concentrating on the bigger venues there now rather than clubs. Anything from a couple of nights at two of three thousand seaters like the [[Concert 1981-01-31 New York|Palladium]] in New York to 8000 further west." | "Okay — considering. We're concentrating on the bigger venues there now rather than clubs. Anything from a couple of nights at two of three thousand seaters like the [[Concert 1981-01-31 New York|Palladium]] in New York to 8000 further west." | ||
The reason he qualified his reply with the word "considering" was as a result of almost blowing his career over there in one fell swoop just under two years ago. To re-cap, he was sitting in a bar in [[:Category:Columbus incident|Columbus]], Ohio, after one of the many slap-bang-let's-get-it-over-with gigs of that particular tour. | The reason he qualified his reply with the word "considering" was as a result of almost blowing his career over there in one fell swoop just under two years ago. To re-cap, he was sitting in a bar in [[:Category:Columbus incident|Columbus]], Ohio, after one of the many slap-bang-let's-get-it-over-with gigs of that particular tour. | ||
Well worse for wear from drink, he got into a spitting row with ageing US-hippies | Well worse for wear from drink, he got into a spitting row with ageing US-hippies Bonnie Bramlett and Steve Stills, roundly slagging off the American nation. its customs, curiosities — and entertainers. Two of those he singled out were [[Ray Charles]] and [[James Brown]]. One he called "a blind ignorant nigger", the other "a jive-ass nigger" before getting roughed up by some of the Bramlett entourage. | ||
The media got wind of these remarks, the incident escalating to a national outrage, precipitating death threats and picketing of later gigs. Even a hastily-convened apologetic Press conference failed to clear the air and it was reckoned that within the space of a couple of drunken moments Costello had irreparably damaged his chances of comprehensively cracking the States. | The media got wind of these remarks, the incident escalating to a national outrage, precipitating death threats and picketing of later gigs. Even a hastily-convened apologetic Press conference failed to clear the air and it was reckoned that within the space of a couple of drunken moments Costello had irreparably damaged his chances of comprehensively cracking the States. | ||
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'I think that single's great. Echo & The Bunnymen? Not really, apart from 'Rescue`. That "Wah! Heat" single was pretty good, too. No I don't like Orchestral Manoeuvres but the Original Mirrors are okay. Their singer used to be in Deaf School with [[Clive Langer]], who's with our label. I don't know why Clive hasn't sold many records — he writes good songs and he's a great producer." | 'I think that single's great. Echo & The Bunnymen? Not really, apart from 'Rescue`. That "Wah! Heat" single was pretty good, too. No I don't like Orchestral Manoeuvres but the Original Mirrors are okay. Their singer used to be in Deaf School with [[Clive Langer]], who's with our label. I don't know why Clive hasn't sold many records — he writes good songs and he's a great producer." | ||
Mention of this unsung hero brought to mind several others who have been named alongside Costello in the past. Like | Mention of this unsung hero brought to mind several others who have been named alongside Costello in the past. Like Graham Parker, for example. Why do you think he's never really happened? | ||
"Dunno, can't understand it. He's got one of the greatest voices ever. I know his American record company never gave him much support over there and I suppose he's fed up with flogging the same old circuit here." | "Dunno, can't understand it. He's got one of the greatest voices ever. I know his American record company never gave him much support over there and I suppose he's fed up with flogging the same old circuit here." | ||
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It occurred to me — while interviewing him — that another act notorious for not doing interviews is Dexy's Midnight Runners, who like Elvis in his ''Get Happy!!'' days have a strong Motown sixties vibe running through their sound. What do you think of them and their attitude towards to Press? | It occurred to me — while interviewing him — that another act notorious for not doing interviews is Dexy's Midnight Runners, who like Elvis in his ''Get Happy!!'' days have a strong Motown sixties vibe running through their sound. What do you think of them and their attitude towards to Press? | ||
"I think they're such idiots that can't help but like them. Actually prefer the | "I think they're such idiots that can't help but like them. Actually prefer the Q-Tips. They're amazing. I wanted them for tour support as it happens." | ||
Yeah, but they're too derivative. They'll have to start writing their own stuff if they're going to have any credibility. | Yeah, but they're too derivative. They'll have to start writing their own stuff if they're going to have any credibility. | ||
"I told them that. Otherwise the trick is to pick older or less well-known numbers like I did with | "I told them that. Otherwise the trick is to pick older or less well-known numbers like I did with Sam And Dave's "[[I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down]]." | ||
With the conversation looking like it's getting too close to being an interview for comfort—it's taken some manoeuvring not to get shuttled out with the autograph hunters. I can tell you — I deflect attention from myself by ushering through some more fans. One of them is evidently a fanatic, giving Elvis every record he's ever made to sign — including the rare and not inexpensive ''[[Live At The El Mocambo]]'' promotional LP. Maintaining his avuncular pose, Costello dutifully scribbles across every sleeve, exclaiming disbelief at having released so many records. | With the conversation looking like it's getting too close to being an interview for comfort—it's taken some manoeuvring not to get shuttled out with the autograph hunters. I can tell you — I deflect attention from myself by ushering through some more fans. One of them is evidently a fanatic, giving Elvis every record he's ever made to sign — including the rare and not inexpensive ''[[Live At The El Mocambo]]'' promotional LP. Maintaining his avuncular pose, Costello dutifully scribbles across every sleeve, exclaiming disbelief at having released so many records. | ||
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Otherwise (says he, taking a mighty deep breath) I would have taken him on. I'm taller than him and though skinnier, probably fitter and as intent as anyone in teaching him a lesson. Meanwhile there were one or two bemused expressions in the hotel bar. For one minute here I was talking to this affable chap in glasses — and a tall hat which looked as if a rabbit might be pulled out of at any given moment — and the next being threatened by a guy who to all intents and purposes didn't appear to have anything to do with us. Advice was offered to cool it and I eventually exited. | Otherwise (says he, taking a mighty deep breath) I would have taken him on. I'm taller than him and though skinnier, probably fitter and as intent as anyone in teaching him a lesson. Meanwhile there were one or two bemused expressions in the hotel bar. For one minute here I was talking to this affable chap in glasses — and a tall hat which looked as if a rabbit might be pulled out of at any given moment — and the next being threatened by a guy who to all intents and purposes didn't appear to have anything to do with us. Advice was offered to cool it and I eventually exited. | ||
interviewing Elvis Costello is abnormal but all things considered don't regret getting hit and see no reason to bear a grudge against an artist whose work I admire. It's not the first time I've been involved in a fight and almost certainly won't be the last. Plus all the best stories have a sting in the tail. This one just happens to have a bang on the head. Now what was that about | interviewing Elvis Costello is abnormal but all things considered don't regret getting hit and see no reason to bear a grudge against an artist whose work I admire. It's not the first time I've been involved in a fight and almost certainly won't be the last. Plus all the best stories have a sting in the tail. This one just happens to have a bang on the head. Now what was that about Bruce Springsteen not doing interviews? | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_Mirror Wikipedia: Record Mirror] | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_Mirror Wikipedia: Record Mirror] | ||
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/littletriggers/ | *[http://www.flickr.com/photos/littletriggers/14361446461/ Flickr: littletriggers{{t}}][http://www.flickr.com/photos/littletriggers/14178140998 {{t}}][http://www.flickr.com/photos/littletriggers/14363258722/ {{t}}] | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Record Mirror 1981-04-04}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Record Mirror 1981-04-04}} |
Revision as of 18:16, 1 August 2016
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