San Pedro News-Pilot, July 22, 1982

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San Pedro News-Pilot

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A new Costello better than ever


Sandra Kreiswirth

Elvis Costello came to the Greek Theater Tuesday for a two-night stand. And I haven't seen a rock performer transmit as much charisma and musical strength on stage since the Boss played L.A. last year.

As good as Costello sounds on record, he is so much more in person. No longer the angry young man who emerged from the British punk and new wave movement in 1977, Costello is a more well-rounded performer today covering many musical bases.

His musical repertoire still includes the old rockers to be sure, but he's also crossed over into more sensitive vocals, more complex musical arrangements using all kinds of rhythms. It's a maturity that apparently isn't scaring his youthful fans away although their enthusiasm is still greatest for the oldies.

Costello, who it seems has mellowed quite a bit off stage as well as on, opened his concert with "Accidents Will Happen." Part of the power of the evening was the way he paced the show weaving his way through his old and new songs.

His vintage material included: "Watching the Detectives," "Alison," "Pump It Up," "Watch Your Step," "Clubland," "Big Sister's Clothes" and "My Aim is True."

Some of the songs he sang from his new Columbia album, Imperial Bedroom, were "Almost Blue," "Pidgin English," "Kid About It," "Tears Before Bedtime" and "Shabby Doll."

The new Costello seems as comfortable crooning into the mic without his guitar while working the richness and facility of his voice or easing into a jazz waltz as he once did totally rockin' out. But what ever style he chooses, he's still a theatrical being, and the crowd responds.

And while this is Costello's show, his three-member band, The Attractions, are great — especially Steve Nieve at the keyboards. He's a fantastic player. The sounds that come from his piano range from rock to jazz to romantic to classical, and he combines them all with Costello's guitar and vocals to weave an intricate and fascinating musical pattern.

To make the evening a complete treat, the hard-driving Long Beach band, the Plimsouls, opened the show with a too-short set highlighted by "A Million Miles Away."


Tags: Greek TheatreLos AngelesThe AttractionsImperial BedroomSteve NieveAccidents Will HappenAlisonWatching The DetectivesPump It UpWatch Your StepClublandBig Sister's ClothesAlmost BluePidgin EnglishKid About ItTears Before BedtimeShabby DollThe PlimsoulsBruce Springsteen

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The News-Pilot, July 22, 1982


Sandra Kreiswirth reviews Elvis Costello & The Attractions and opening act The Plimsouls, Tuesday, July 20, 1982, Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California.

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1982-07-22 San Pedro News-Pilot page B3 clipping 01.jpg
Clipping.

Page scan.
1982-07-22 San Pedro News-Pilot page B3.jpg

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