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Elvis Costello's Tuesday night concert at the Greek Theatre wasn't an Olympian event.
Although Costello jumped through some of his most popular songs, rocked up a storm with newer, melodic ballads, after only two hours of play, he threw down the microphone stand and stalked off the stage without a backward glance.
Costello fans hoped for more, and it seemed Costello was looking for more in the evening, too.
Costello and his band, The Attractions, produced sparkling instrumental effects, but Costello seemed dissatisfied with the tunes.
The audience wasn't much help. Listeners only clicked in for his more raucous numbers, the songs such as "Accidents Will Happen," which Costello led off with, or "Watching the Detectives," another early tune which the band speeded up considerably.
Costello has enjoyed a reputation for being an angry young man in rock, but no one who ever listened to his lyrics could accuse him of spewing out angry punk lyrics. His ballads and love songs, such as "My Aim Is True," are heartbreakers.
Costello may have sensed the lack of interest when he put forth some thoughtful, soulful ballads from his new album, Imperial Bedroom.
The first song he introduced, "Pidgin English," turned up another tender side to his songwriting.
But shortly thereafter, Costello was back to inflammatory rock, to pick the audience up and shake them. Much of the lyrics were almost lost as he rushed through "Radio, Radio" and others.
Costello is supposed to be turning into less the angry rock singer. He experimented recently with country music on his Almost Blue album, music he features strongly in his Los Angeles appearance late last year.
He sang "Almost Blue" Tuesday night, but the crowd just didn't seem to be there for it.
It's apparent Costello is willing to experiment, but it doesn't look like many of his fans are.
There was a lot of unfocused attention, a lot of jabber in the audience. Attention waned from his more structured ballads, his slow pieces.
The lack of total connection between the musician and the audience prevented the concert from being the show it could have been.
Costello and The Attractions play again this evening at the Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont and at San Diego State on Saturday. Both shows are at 8 p.m.
Opening act is The Plimsouls. The Plimsouls played several of their current hits. They came out for an encore nobody asked for, although there was a good number of Plimsoul followers in the crowd. Costello did not give an encore, although everyone asked for it.
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