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Elvis Costello stunned his audiences with the wealth and quality of his latest material on his recent UK tour.
Critical vultures looking to pick over an ailing Costello carcass have had to withdraw their sharpened claws and wait once more.
But just when will his gifted song writing dry up? Hopefully, not for a long time.
Indeed his recent country album Almost Blue was a courageous exploration even if it wasn't fully appreciated and understood by his staunch audience. But Imperial Bedroom must he 1982's best album, full of superbly crafted songs dealing with emotional situations, all of them real.
He's honed each piece of Imperial Bedroom to a rare sharpness and — coupled with the Attractions' breathtaking skill of arrangement and musical texture has created his finest writing and vocal performance yet.
But then again, if you have heard Imperial Bedroom you'll already know that — and if you haven't, then you Just don't deserve to.
It's been over a year since Costello returned from Nashville with Almost Blue, a set in which he suffered personally duo to Billy Sherrill's apparent lack of interest, yet also benefited from the man's undoubted technical skills.
"It wasn't total disaster although it was sometimes confusing, knowing whether he was interested at all," said Elvis.
"It died a death in America, because I suppose it's like taking coals to Newcastle. I thought that showed a lack of imagination really, because a lot of American country music is very bland and emotionless, the total opposite to what it should be. A lot of people even thought we'd gone soft.
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