Uncut, July 2002: Difference between revisions

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<center><h3> Elvis Costello </h3></center>
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Forget the limp collaboration with Burt Bacharach. Ignore the ludicrous album with the operatic soprano Anne Sofie von Otter. Elvis Costello has always sounded at his best with The Attractions. And so it proved at this one-off date to launch his new album, ''[[When I Was Cruel]]''. Backed by The Imposters — in reality, former Attractions [[Pete Thomas]] and [[Steve Nieve]] plus bass player [[Davey Faragher]] — he successfully tramped down any lingering misgivings that he might have gone soft.
Forget the limp collaboration with Burt Bacharach. Ignore the ludicrous album with the operatic soprano Anne Sofie von Otter. Elvis Costello has always sounded at his best with The Attractions. And so it proved at this one-off date to launch his new album, ''When I Was Cruel''. Backed by The Imposters — in reality, former Attractions Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve plus bass player Davey Faragher — he successfully tramped down any lingering misgivings that he might have gone soft.


Sensibly, Costello surrounded the new songs with old favourites and set off with such breakneck urgency that after barely half an hour he was already into the eighth number A pneumatic version of "[[(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea|I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea]]" inevitably raised the loudest cheer. But Costello attracts the kind of obsessive following which meant balding fortysomething males were singing along to every word of new songs such as "[[Dust]]" and "[[Spooky Girlfriend]]." Which was kind of impressive in a scary sort of way, given that the album had been in the shops just two days.
Sensibly, Costello surrounded the new songs with old favourites and set off with such breakneck urgency that after barely half an hour he was already into the eighth number A pneumatic version of "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea" inevitably raised the loudest cheer. But Costello attracts the kind of obsessive following which meant balding fortysomething males were singing along to every word of new songs such as "Dust" and "Spooky Girlfriend." Which was kind of impressive in a scary sort of way, given that the album had been in the shops just two days.


The oddest thing was that songs that sound tuneless on the album here came alive, with Steve Nieve's keyboards in particular adding extra texture. This was most striking on "[[Alibi]]." The song is a lyrically dazzling exploration of guilt and blame. Yet when Costello had unveiled it solo during the Landmines concerts in January, it had sounded unrelenting and excruciating. Here, with Nieve's embellishments and Pete Thomas driving from behind his kit, the song was reinvented and given a welcome new dynamism. The sequencer-enhanced "[[When I Was Cruel No. 2|When I Was Cruel]]" was also impressive, with a vocal on which Costello sounded not unlike some crazy old wino staggering down the street and muttering to himself.
The oddest thing was that songs that sound tuneless on the album here came alive, with Steve Nieve's keyboards in particular adding extra texture. This was most striking on "Alibi." The song is a lyrically dazzling exploration of guilt and blame. Yet when Costello had unveiled it solo during the Landmines concerts in January, it had sounded unrelenting and excruciating. Here, with Nieve's embellishments and Pete Thomas driving from behind his kit, the song was reinvented and given a welcome new dynamism. The sequencer-enhanced "When I Was Cruel" was also impressive, with a vocal on which Costello sounded not unlike some crazy old wino staggering down the street and muttering to himself.


"[[Pump It Up]]" and "[[Lipstick Vogue]]" were held for the first encore and were incendiary. But, hoping that he had kept the best until last, we called him back again. He didn't disappoint, ending the show with an intense reading of "[[I Want You]]," the chilling depiction of obsession from 1986's recently reissued ''[[Blood & Chocolate|Blood And Chocolate]]''.
"Pump It Up" and "Lipstick Vogue" were held for the first encore and were incendiary. But, hoping that he had kept the best until last, we called him back again. He didn't disappoint, ending the show with an intense reading of "I Want You," the chilling depiction of obsession from 1986's recently reissued ''Blood & Chocolate''.


Yes, The Imposter is back. This year's model may not have quite the same febrile tension of old. But it's still a bloody sight sharper than crooning with Burt Bacharach.
Yes, The Imposter is back. This year's model may not have quite the same febrile tension of old. But it's still a bloody sight sharper than crooning with Burt Bacharach.


{{cx}}
{{tags}}[[Astoria|The Astoria]] {{-}} [[London]] {{-}} [[The Imposters]] {{-}} [[Pete Thomas]] {{-}} [[Steve Nieve]] {{-}} [[Davey Faragher]] {{-}} [[Burt Bacharach]] {{-}} [[Anne Sofie von Otter]] {{-}} [[The Attractions]] {{-}} [[When I Was Cruel]] {{-}} [[(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea]] {{-}} [[Dust]] {{-}} [[Alibi]] {{-}} [[Spooky Girlfriend]] {{-}} [[:Category:Landmine Free World Tour|Landmine Free World Tour]] {{-}} [[When I Was Cruel No. 2]] {{-}} [[Pump It Up]] {{-}} [[Lipstick Vogue]] {{-}} [[I Want You]] {{-}} [[Blood & Chocolate]]
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<small>Cover.</small><br>
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[[image:2002-07-00 Uncut cover.jpg|x120px|border]]
<br><small>Cover.</small>


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Revision as of 18:44, 20 March 2020

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Uncut

Ultimate Music Guide


UK & Ireland magazines

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Elvis Costello

The Astoria, London

Nigel Williamson

Forget the limp collaboration with Burt Bacharach. Ignore the ludicrous album with the operatic soprano Anne Sofie von Otter. Elvis Costello has always sounded at his best with The Attractions. And so it proved at this one-off date to launch his new album, When I Was Cruel. Backed by The Imposters — in reality, former Attractions Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve plus bass player Davey Faragher — he successfully tramped down any lingering misgivings that he might have gone soft.

Sensibly, Costello surrounded the new songs with old favourites and set off with such breakneck urgency that after barely half an hour he was already into the eighth number A pneumatic version of "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea" inevitably raised the loudest cheer. But Costello attracts the kind of obsessive following which meant balding fortysomething males were singing along to every word of new songs such as "Dust" and "Spooky Girlfriend." Which was kind of impressive in a scary sort of way, given that the album had been in the shops just two days.

The oddest thing was that songs that sound tuneless on the album here came alive, with Steve Nieve's keyboards in particular adding extra texture. This was most striking on "Alibi." The song is a lyrically dazzling exploration of guilt and blame. Yet when Costello had unveiled it solo during the Landmines concerts in January, it had sounded unrelenting and excruciating. Here, with Nieve's embellishments and Pete Thomas driving from behind his kit, the song was reinvented and given a welcome new dynamism. The sequencer-enhanced "When I Was Cruel" was also impressive, with a vocal on which Costello sounded not unlike some crazy old wino staggering down the street and muttering to himself.

"Pump It Up" and "Lipstick Vogue" were held for the first encore and were incendiary. But, hoping that he had kept the best until last, we called him back again. He didn't disappoint, ending the show with an intense reading of "I Want You," the chilling depiction of obsession from 1986's recently reissued Blood & Chocolate.

Yes, The Imposter is back. This year's model may not have quite the same febrile tension of old. But it's still a bloody sight sharper than crooning with Burt Bacharach.


Tags: The AstoriaLondonThe ImpostersPete ThomasSteve NieveDavey FaragherBurt BacharachAnne Sofie von OtterThe AttractionsWhen I Was Cruel(I Don't Want To Go To) ChelseaDustAlibiSpooky GirlfriendLandmine Free World TourWhen I Was Cruel No. 2Pump It UpLipstick VogueI Want YouBlood & Chocolate

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Uncut, No. 62, July 2002


Nigel Williamson reviews Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Tuesday, April 16, 2002, The Astoria, London, England.

Images

2002-07-00 Uncut clipping 01.jpg2002-07-00 Uncut photo 01.jpg
Clipping and photo.

Cover.
2002-07-00 Uncut cover.jpg

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