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By far the most appealing of Elvis Costello's recent batch of spin-off projects, The River In Reverse came about as a result of his and Allen Toussaint's involvement in Hurricane Katrina benefit concerts in New York. Understandably, the disaster underpins some of the songs here, most notably the title track and "Broken Promise Land," both of which are imbued with bitterness about how, but for aha'porth of tar, the floods could have been avoided.
Steve Nieve's burring Hammond organ and Tonssaint's horns mark the rumbustious verses, before the sad chorus brings their enthusiasm up short, like voters suddenly disabused of illusions about leaders whose concerns are more, "How high shall we build this wall? / How tight can we shut that door?"
Built on a similar rhythm chassis to Toussaint's classic "Hercules," "The River In Reverse" likewise takes a jaundiced view of the affair: "Wake me up with a slap or a kiss / There must be something better than this / 'cos I don't see how it can get much worse / What can we do to send the river in reverse?" The river, of course, being not just the Mississippi, but a metaphor for the rightward drift of American politics.
It's not all flood-related gloom here, though. There are seven choice items from the Toussaint songbook given a fresh make over, including the uplifting civil rights anthem "Freedom For The Stallion," the gospel-styled "Nearer To You" and the classic "On The Way Down". With Toussaint leading the crack band of Attractions and New Orleans session men from the piano, Costello takes lead vocals on most tracks, singing with the enthusiasm and fun of a true fan. The exception is the rolling funk groove "Who's Gonna Help Brother," where Toussaint brings an assured momentum to the hook: "What happened to the Liberty Bell? / Did it ding-dong? / It didn't ding long."
The highlight in probably "International Echo," a new co-written track about the liberating effect of rock 'n' roll on kids thousands of miles distant, with characteristic Toussaint piano flourishes and horn figures, and a message worth sending:
"Thought I heard a signal coming through / In a language that I never knew / I felt the pulse in a drum tattoo / Even though I knew it was taboo." Me too, and you, I'd warrant.
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