Sounds, November 5, 1977: Difference between revisions

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{{Bibliography article header}}
{{Bibliography article header}}
<center><h3> Stiff's Greatest Stiffs Live </h3></center>
<center><h3> Stiff's Greatest Stiffs Live </h3></center>
<center>''' Lyceum </center>
<center>''' Lyceum, London </center>
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<center> Pete Silverton </center>
<center> Pete Silverton </center>
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What I'd hoped, maybe even expected, to be a warm, fun-filled trumpeting of the delights of English eccentricity turned out to be, for the most part, little more than a narrow celebration of mutual hipness, the warmth forced and the fun doubtful.  
What I'd hoped, maybe even expected, to be a warm, fun-filled trumpeting of the delights of English eccentricity turned out to be, for the most part, little more than a narrow celebration of mutual hipness, the warmth forced and the fun doubtful.  


[[Ian Dury]] aside, Stiff's Greatest Stiffs no more convinced me than they disappointed the audience.  
Ian Dury aside, Stiff's Greatest Stiffs no more convinced me than they disappointed the audience.  


First on the boards was [[Nick Lowe]] but, because of the vagaries of London Transport, I missed him and my first sight of a live Stiff was the decidedly unmelodic [[Wreckless Eric]]. The only notable points in his seemingly interminable set were the simplicity of [[Denise Roudette|Denise]]'s bass work, [[Davey Payne]]'s raucous sax and Eric's one justifiable claim to a place on the stage, his single "[[Whole Wide World]]" — and even that went on so long, it started to sound like the band were bent on becoming an eighth grade Cream.  
First on the boards was Nick Lowe but, because of the vagaries of London Transport, I missed him and my first sight of a live Stiff was the decidedly unmelodic Wreckless Eric. The only notable points in his seemingly interminable set were the simplicity of Denise's bass work, Davey Payne's raucous sax and Eric's one justifiable claim to a place on the stage, his single "Whole Wide World" — and even that went on so long, it started to sound like the band were bent on becoming an eighth grade Cream.  


Perhaps excuses could be made for him because of the horrific screechy and scratchy sound but I doubt it. He sounded as if he liked it that way.  
Perhaps excuses could be made for him because of the horrific screechy and scratchy sound but I doubt it. He sounded as if he liked it that way.  
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Elvis Costello is certainly no wreckless quarter talent but he seemed so determined to reinforce his image as the latest moody enigma that he mostly resembled a puppet pulling his own strings ... tentatively. And we all know what happened to Pinocchio.  
Elvis Costello is certainly no wreckless quarter talent but he seemed so determined to reinforce his image as the latest moody enigma that he mostly resembled a puppet pulling his own strings ... tentatively. And we all know what happened to Pinocchio.  


He is undoubtedly a fine songwriter (although I think other people could do his songs better justice) but his attempts to move beyond merely lecturing the audience and attempt to engage their emotions by communication ''with'' them were, depending on your viewpoint, embarassing or laughable. Pressing the flesh with the audience requires a little more audacity then a few very careful steps from the stage. Elvis has presumable learned from [[Joe Strummer]] how to kneel with his guitar and pray to his fold-back. He ought to watch Joe dive on to the audience, adding a real element of danger and tension, before he tries 'walking on the water' again.  
He is undoubtedly a fine songwriter (although I think other people could do his songs better justice) but his attempts to move beyond merely lecturing the audience and attempt to engage their emotions by communication ''with'' them were, depending on your viewpoint, embarrassing or laughable. Pressing the flesh with the audience requires a little more audacity then a few very careful steps from the stage. Elvis has presumable learned from Joe Strummer how to kneel with his guitar and pray to his fold-back. He ought to watch Joe dive on to the audience, adding a real element of danger and tension, before he tries 'walking on the water' again.  


I've never been a great Dury fan and hadn't seen him perform since [[Kilburn & The High Roads|the Kilburns]] and accordingly reckoned he'd be no more than diverting. He was so rivetting that I've been playing ''New Boots and Panties'' almost constantly in the two days since the Lyceum show.  
I've never been a great Dury fan and hadn't seen him perform since the Kilburns and accordingly reckoned he'd be no more than diverting. He was so rivetting that I've been playing ''New Boots and Panties'' almost constantly in the two days since the Lyceum show.  


Everyone knows that comparisons are jive but if I wanted to pigeon-hole Ian, I'd place him as an English combination of [[Randy Newman]] and Woody Allen. His songs are text-book examples of wit, insight and compassion. His tunes (and his excellent band) are supple, simple and subtle. His stage-craft is an original mixture of approved school teacher and Max Miller.  
Everyone knows that comparisons are jive but if I wanted to pigeon-hole Ian, I'd place him as an English combination of Randy Newman and Woody Allen. His songs are text-book examples of wit, insight and compassion. His tunes (and his excellent band) are supple, simple and subtle. His stage-craft is an original mixture of approved school teacher and Max Miller.  


If it wasn't for his obvious lack of appeal to the teen market, I'd say he was the complete artist. He only faltered once — when for the encore, a reprise of "[[Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll|Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll]]," he brought on every Stiff igger that could still stand. They looked like so many jealous pigs gobbling at the trough of his talent.  
If it wasn't for his obvious lack of appeal to the teen market, I'd say he was the complete artist. He only faltered once — when for the encore, a reprise of "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll," he brought on every Stiff ligger that could still stand. They looked like so many jealous pigs gobbling at the trough of his talent.  


As for the rest, it was a case of the audience allowing themselves to be mercilessly duped in their starch for hip credibility. If it's a Stiff, at least it'll impress your neighbours.  
As for the rest, it was a case of the audience allowing themselves to be mercilessly duped in their starch for hip credibility. If it's a Stiff, at least it'll impress your neighbours.  


{{cx}}
{{tags}}[[:Category:Stiff's Greatest Stiffs Live|Stiff's Greatest Stiffs Live]] {{-}} [[Lyceum Ballroom]] {{-}} [[London]] {{-}} [[Ian Dury]] {{-}} [[Nick Lowe]] {{-}} [[Wreckless Eric]] {{-}} [[Denise Roudette]] {{-}} [[Davey Payne]] {{-}} [[Whole Wide World]] {{-}} [[Joe Strummer]] {{-}} [[Kilburn & The High Roads]] {{-}} [[Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll]] {{-}} [[Stiff Records]] {{-}} [[The King Of Belgium]] {{-}} [[Watching The Detectives]] {{-}} [[My Aim Is True]] {{-}} [[Jake Riviera]] {{-}} [[Beserkley]]
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{{Bibliography notes}}
{{Bibliography notes}}
{{Bibliography next
{{Bibliography next
|prev = Sounds, October 15, 1977
|prev = Sounds, October 22, 1977
|next = Sounds, December 10, 1977
|next = Sounds, December 3, 1977
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}}
'''Sounds, November 5, 1977
'''Sounds, November 5, 1977
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[[Peter Silverton|Pete Silverton]] reviews [[:Category:Stiff's Greatest Stiffs Live|Stiff's Greatest Stiffs]], Friday, [[Concert 1977-10-28 London|October 28, 1977]], Lyceum Ballroom, London, England.
[[Peter Silverton|Pete Silverton]] reviews [[:Category:Stiff's Greatest Stiffs Live|Stiff's Greatest Stiffs]], Friday, [[Concert 1977-10-28 London|October 28, 1977]], Lyceum Ballroom, London, England.
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''Sounds'' reports on upcoming Christmas shows and recording sessions for the second album (reportedly titled ''The King Of Belgium'').  
''Sounds'' reports on recording sessions for the second album (reportedly titled ''The King Of Belgium''), the [[:Category:1st US Tour|US tour]] and on the upcoming Christmas shows, [[Concert 1977-12-22 London|Dec. 22]], [[Concert 1977-12-23 London|23]] and [[Concert 1977-12-24 London|24]].
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An ad for the single "[[Single: Watching The Detectives|Watching The Detectives]]" runs on page 29.
A half-page ad for singles "[[Single: Watching The Detectives|Watching The Detectives]]" and [[Nick Lowe]]'s "Halfway To Paradise" runs on page 29.


{{Bibliography images}}
{{Bibliography images}}


[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds clipping 02.jpg|x200px|border]]{{n}}
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 50 clipping 01.jpg|x450px]]{{n}}
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 04 clipping 01.jpg|x200px|border]]
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 29 advertisement.jpg|x450px]]
<br><small>Clippings.</small>
<br><small>Clipping and advertisement.</small>




{{Bibliography box 360}}
{{Bibliography box}}
<center><h3> Costello: New album and Xmas concerts </h3></center>
<center><h3> Costello: New album and Xmas concerts </h3></center>
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<center> ''Sounds </center>
<center> Sounds </center>
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{{Bibliography text}}
{{Bibliography text}}
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 04 clipping 01.jpg|170px|right]]
Elvis Costello will go into the studio to complete work on his second album immediately after the Stiff's Greatest Stiffs tour finishes at Lancaster University on [[Concert 1977-11-05 Lancaster|November 5]].
The new album will be called ''The King Of Belgium'' and is being produced by Nick Lowe. No release date has yet been fixed and Costello is now without a record label in this country, although he has just signed a deal with Columbia in America.
Manager Jake Riviera said last week that the fact that Elvis did not have a recording contract in the UK was not a drawback. "Until such time as there is a decent record company in this country we will not sign a recording deal." He said, "We are working on a scheme of importing Elvis records into the country at a UK price."


<br><br><br><br><br>
In mid-November Elvis and the Attractions, his backing band, will leave for America for his first tour, which will start on the West Coast and finish as New York's Bottom Line, a month later. His first album ''My Aim Is True'', plus a re-mixed single of "Alison" will be released to coincide with the tour.  He is also due to do some recording in San Francisco for a third album with Matthew Kaufman and Glen Kolotkin of Beserkley Records producing.


After the tour, Elvis will fly back to England for three special Christmas concerts at London's Nashville Rooms on December [[Concert 1977-12-22 London|22]], [[Concert 1977-12-23 London|23]] and [[Concert 1977-12-24 London|24]]. The concerts will be recorded for a live album which will be released only in America.
The Nashville shows will be all-ticket. Tickets, price £1.75 are available from Albion Leisure, 12 Putney Bridge Road, London, SW18. Mark your envelope "Elvis Costello tickets" and enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Tickets are limited to four per application.   
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<br><br>
<br>
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 29 advertisement.jpg|360px|border]]
<small>Cover and page scans.</small><br>
<br><small>Advertisement.</small>
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds cover.jpg|x120px]]
 
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 04.jpg|x120px]]
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds cover.jpg|x120px|border]]
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 29.jpg|x120px]]
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 04.jpg|x120px|border]]
[[image:1977-11-05 Sounds page 50.jpg|x120px]]
<br><small>Cover.</small>


{{Bibliography notes footer}}
{{Bibliography notes footer}}
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_(magazine) Wikipedia: Sounds]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_(magazine) Wikipedia: Sounds]
*[https://twitter.com/SoundsClips/status/1456564588271525890 Twitter @SoundsClips][https://twitter.com/elvis_wiki/status/1456874389979402242 {{t}}]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Sounds 1977-11-05}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sounds 1977-11-05}}

Latest revision as of 23:34, 27 April 2023

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Sounds

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Stiff's Greatest Stiffs Live

Lyceum, London

Pete Silverton

What I'd hoped, maybe even expected, to be a warm, fun-filled trumpeting of the delights of English eccentricity turned out to be, for the most part, little more than a narrow celebration of mutual hipness, the warmth forced and the fun doubtful.

Ian Dury aside, Stiff's Greatest Stiffs no more convinced me than they disappointed the audience.

First on the boards was Nick Lowe but, because of the vagaries of London Transport, I missed him and my first sight of a live Stiff was the decidedly unmelodic Wreckless Eric. The only notable points in his seemingly interminable set were the simplicity of Denise's bass work, Davey Payne's raucous sax and Eric's one justifiable claim to a place on the stage, his single "Whole Wide World" — and even that went on so long, it started to sound like the band were bent on becoming an eighth grade Cream.

Perhaps excuses could be made for him because of the horrific screechy and scratchy sound but I doubt it. He sounded as if he liked it that way.

Elvis Costello is certainly no wreckless quarter talent but he seemed so determined to reinforce his image as the latest moody enigma that he mostly resembled a puppet pulling his own strings ... tentatively. And we all know what happened to Pinocchio.

He is undoubtedly a fine songwriter (although I think other people could do his songs better justice) but his attempts to move beyond merely lecturing the audience and attempt to engage their emotions by communication with them were, depending on your viewpoint, embarrassing or laughable. Pressing the flesh with the audience requires a little more audacity then a few very careful steps from the stage. Elvis has presumable learned from Joe Strummer how to kneel with his guitar and pray to his fold-back. He ought to watch Joe dive on to the audience, adding a real element of danger and tension, before he tries 'walking on the water' again.

I've never been a great Dury fan and hadn't seen him perform since the Kilburns and accordingly reckoned he'd be no more than diverting. He was so rivetting that I've been playing New Boots and Panties almost constantly in the two days since the Lyceum show.

Everyone knows that comparisons are jive but if I wanted to pigeon-hole Ian, I'd place him as an English combination of Randy Newman and Woody Allen. His songs are text-book examples of wit, insight and compassion. His tunes (and his excellent band) are supple, simple and subtle. His stage-craft is an original mixture of approved school teacher and Max Miller.

If it wasn't for his obvious lack of appeal to the teen market, I'd say he was the complete artist. He only faltered once — when for the encore, a reprise of "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll," he brought on every Stiff ligger that could still stand. They looked like so many jealous pigs gobbling at the trough of his talent.

As for the rest, it was a case of the audience allowing themselves to be mercilessly duped in their starch for hip credibility. If it's a Stiff, at least it'll impress your neighbours.


Tags: Stiff's Greatest Stiffs LiveLyceum BallroomLondonIan DuryNick LoweWreckless EricDenise RoudetteDavey PayneWhole Wide WorldJoe StrummerKilburn & The High RoadsSex & Drugs & Rock & RollStiff RecordsThe King Of BelgiumWatching The DetectivesMy Aim Is TrueJake RivieraBeserkley

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<< >>

Sounds, November 5, 1977


Pete Silverton reviews Stiff's Greatest Stiffs, Friday, October 28, 1977, Lyceum Ballroom, London, England.


Sounds reports on recording sessions for the second album (reportedly titled The King Of Belgium), the US tour and on the upcoming Christmas shows, Dec. 22, 23 and 24.


A half-page ad for singles "Watching The Detectives" and Nick Lowe's "Halfway To Paradise" runs on page 29.

Images

1977-11-05 Sounds page 50 clipping 01.jpg1977-11-05 Sounds page 29 advertisement.jpg
Clipping and advertisement.


Costello: New album and Xmas concerts


Sounds

1977-11-05 Sounds page 04 clipping 01.jpg

Elvis Costello will go into the studio to complete work on his second album immediately after the Stiff's Greatest Stiffs tour finishes at Lancaster University on November 5.

The new album will be called The King Of Belgium and is being produced by Nick Lowe. No release date has yet been fixed and Costello is now without a record label in this country, although he has just signed a deal with Columbia in America.

Manager Jake Riviera said last week that the fact that Elvis did not have a recording contract in the UK was not a drawback. "Until such time as there is a decent record company in this country we will not sign a recording deal." He said, "We are working on a scheme of importing Elvis records into the country at a UK price."

In mid-November Elvis and the Attractions, his backing band, will leave for America for his first tour, which will start on the West Coast and finish as New York's Bottom Line, a month later. His first album My Aim Is True, plus a re-mixed single of "Alison" will be released to coincide with the tour. He is also due to do some recording in San Francisco for a third album with Matthew Kaufman and Glen Kolotkin of Beserkley Records producing.

After the tour, Elvis will fly back to England for three special Christmas concerts at London's Nashville Rooms on December 22, 23 and 24. The concerts will be recorded for a live album which will be released only in America.

The Nashville shows will be all-ticket. Tickets, price £1.75 are available from Albion Leisure, 12 Putney Bridge Road, London, SW18. Mark your envelope "Elvis Costello tickets" and enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Tickets are limited to four per application.


Cover and page scans.
1977-11-05 Sounds cover.jpg 1977-11-05 Sounds page 04.jpg 1977-11-05 Sounds page 29.jpg 1977-11-05 Sounds page 50.jpg

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