Willamette Week, April 11, 2012: Difference between revisions

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<center><h3>Costellology </h3></center>
<center><h3>Costellology </h3></center>
<center>Walking in the complicated shadows of Elvis Costello’s storied past.</center>
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<center>Casey Jarman</center>
<center>Casey Jarman</center>
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'''Walking in the complicated shadows of Elvis Costello's storied past.
{{Bibliography text}}
{{Bibliography text}}
From angry young man to Burt Bacharach collaborator to talk-show host, Elvis Costello rarely settles down long enough to take in the scenery. These days, though, the 57-year-old songwriter seems to be feeling a little sentimental. He’s relaunched his long-forgotten Spectacular Spinning Songbook tour—which centers on a giant public set list that looks like something from The Price Is Right and requires audience participation to spin—and slimmed down to his 1970s fighting weight. On the eve of his Portland visit, we thought we’d take the opportunity to stroll down memory lane with Costello.  
From angry young man to Burt Bacharach collaborator to talk-show host, Elvis Costello rarely settles down long enough to take in the scenery. These days, though, the 57-year-old songwriter seems to be feeling a little sentimental. He's relaunched his long-forgotten Spectacular Spinning Songbook tour — which centers on a giant public set list that looks like something from The Price Is Right and requires audience participation to spin — and slimmed down to his 1970s fighting weight. On the eve of his Portland visit, we thought we'd take the opportunity to stroll down memory lane with Costello.  


'''A MAN OF MANY MOODS'''


'''Angry''': “When England was the whore of the world/ Margaret was her madam/ And the future was as bright and as clear/ As the black tarmacadam” (“[[Tramp The Dirt Down|Tramp the Dirt Down]],” [[Spike]])
A man of many moods


'''Depressed''': “Was it a millionaire who said ‘imagine no possessions’?/ A poor little schoolboy who said ‘we don’t need no lessons’?/ The rabid rebel dogs ransack the shampoo shop/ The pop princess is downtown shooting up” (“[[The Other Side Of Summer|The Other Side of Summer]],” [[Mighty Like A Rose|Mighty Like a Rose]])
Angry: ''"When England was the whore of the world/ Margaret was her madam/ And the future was as bright and as clear/ As the black tarmacadam"'' ("[[Tramp The Dirt Down|Tramp the Dirt Down]]," ''Spike'')


'''Funny''': “Though he wasn’t tall or handsome, she laughed when he told her/ ‘I’m the Sheriff of Nottingham and this is Little John’” (“[[American Without Tears]],” [[King Of America|King of America]])
Depressed: ''"Was it a millionaire who said 'imagine no possessions'?/ A poor little schoolboy who said 'we don't need no lessons'?/ The rabid rebel dogs ransack the shampoo shop/ The pop princess is downtown shooting up"'' ("[[The Other Side Of Summer|The Other Side of Summer]]," ''Mighty Like a Rose'')


'''Dreamy''': “I might make it California’s fault/ Be locked in Geneva’s deepest vault/ Just like the canals of Mars and the Great Barrier Reef/ I come to you beyond belief” (“[[Beyond Belief]],” [[Imperial Bedroom]])
Funny: ''"Though he wasn't tall or handsome, she laughed when he told her/ 'I'm the Sheriff of Nottingham and this is Little John'"'' ("[[American Without Tears]]," ''King of America'')


'''Showoffish''': “All you toy soldiers and scaremongers/ Are you living in this world, sometimes I wonder/ In between saying you’ve seen too much/ And saying you’ve seen it all before” (“[[Human Hands]],” Imperial Bedroom)
Dreamy: ''"I might make it California's fault/ Be locked in Geneva's deepest vault/ Just like the canals of Mars and the Great Barrier Reef/ I come to you beyond belief"'' ("[[Beyond Belief]]," ''Imperial Bedroom'')


Showoffish: ''"All you toy soldiers and scaremongers/ Are you living in this world, sometimes I wonder/ In between saying you've seen too much/ And saying you've seen it all before"'' ("[[Human Hands]]," ''Imperial Bedroom'')


'''GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS'''


'''[[Alison|Allison]]''': A now-married ex whom the narrator may or may not want to have killed.
Girls girls girls


'''[[Veronica]]''': A lovely, but senile, old lady.
"[[Alison|Allison]]": A now-married ex whom the narrator may or may not want to have killed.


'''[[This Year's Girl|This Year’s Girl]]''': A very popular lady, perhaps a pop star, who seems bored with her station in life.
"[[Veronica]]": A lovely, but senile, old lady.


'''[[Party Girl]]''': A young socialite whom the narrator adores but does not wish to settle down with.
"[[This Year's Girl|This Year's Girl]]": A very popular lady, perhaps a pop star, who seems bored with her station in life.


'''[[Sulky Girl]]''': A possible vampire and likely goth who ran away from home at a young age.
"[[Party Girl]]": A young socialite whom the narrator adores but does not wish to settle down with.


'''[[Spooky Girlfriend]]''': The narrator’s slutty, obedient dream girl. Almost certainly goth.
"[[Sulky Girl]]": A possible vampire and likely goth who ran away from home at a young age.


'''[[Big Sister]]''': “She is the blue chip that belongs to the big fish.” Duh.
"[[Spooky Girlfriend]]": The narrator's slutty, obedient dream girl. Almost certainly goth.


"[[Big Sister]]": "She is the blue chip that belongs to the big fish." Duh.


'''THE BEST OF THE BEST'''<br><br>
'''''[[Trust]]'' (1981)'''


Amazing pop song after amazing pop song. The crown jewel in a stretch of near-flawless late-’70s, early-’80s records. “New Lace Sleeves” just kills.
The best of the best


'''''[[Blood & Chocolate|Blood and Chocolate]]'' (1986)'''
''[[Trust]]'' (1981) <br>
Amazing pop song after amazing pop song. The crown jewel in a stretch of near-flawless late-'70s, early-'80s records. "New Lace Sleeves" just kills.


''[[Blood & Chocolate|Blood and Chocolate]]'' (1986) <br>
Perhaps the heaviest Elvis Costello record, which finds Costello playing with dark poetry and stringing together some rambling Dylanesque epics.
Perhaps the heaviest Elvis Costello record, which finds Costello playing with dark poetry and stringing together some rambling Dylanesque epics.


'''''[[National Ransom]]'' (2010)'''
''[[National Ransom]]'' (2010) <br>
 
After a few ho-hum outings, Costello embraces his inner nerdy American record collector by playing an inspired set of smart, semi-jazzy story songs.
After a few ho-hum outings, Costello embraces his inner nerdy American record collector by playing an inspired set of smart, semi-jazzy story songs.




'''THE BEST OF THE WORST'''
The best of the worst


'''''[[Almost Blue]]'' (1981)'''
''[[Almost Blue]]'' (1981) <br>
The (fantastic) title track, sadly, isn't actually on this bland, country-covers album. "Good Year for the Roses" may be the only classic cut here, but two Gram Parsons tunes help its case a bit.


The (fantastic) title track, sadly, isn’t actually on this bland, country-covers album. “Good Year for the Roses” may be the only classic cut here, but two Gram Parsons tunes help its case a bit.
''[[Goodbye Cruel World]]'' (1984) <br>
Costello has rightly called this his worst album: It is besieged by plastic '80s production and cheesy horns. That said, Daryl Hall duet "The Only Flame in Town" has plenty of kitsch value, and the gorgeous "Love Field" is brilliantly retro-futuristic.


'''''[[Goodbye Cruel World]]'' (1984)'''
''[[Mighty Like A Rose|Mighty Like a Rose]]'' (1991) <br>
Though it's one of the worst-reviewed Costello outings, I think of it as a fantastic EP with a bunch of shitty bonus tracks. "How to Be Dumb" and "All Grown Up" are classic, theatrical Costello.


Costello has rightly called this his worst album: It is besieged by plastic ’80s production and cheesy horns. That said, Daryl Hall duet “The Only Flame in Town” has plenty of kitsch value, and the gorgeous “Love Field” is brilliantly retro-futuristic.
'''''[[Mighty Like A Rose|Mighty Like a Rose]]'' (1991)'''
Though it’s one of the worst-reviewed Costello outings, I think of it as a fantastic EP with a bunch of shitty bonus tracks. “How to Be Dumb” and “All Grown Up” are classic, theatrical Costello.


{{cx}}


SEE IT: Elvis Costello and the Imposters play the [[Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall]], 1037 SW Broadway Ave., on Friday, April 13. 8 pm. $46.50-$86.50. All ages.
'''Elvis Costello and the Imposters play the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway Ave., on Friday, April 13. 8 pm. $46.50-$86.50. All ages.
{{cx}}


{{Bibliography notes header}}
{{Bibliography notes header}}
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'''Willamette Week, April 11, 2012
'''Willamette Week, April 11, 2012
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[[Casey Jarman]] previews Elvis Costello & [[The Imposters]], Friday, [[Concert 2012-04-13 Portland|April 13, 2012]], [[Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall]], Portland, OR.
[[Casey Jarman]] profiles EC ahead of his concert with [[The Imposters]], Friday, [[Concert 2012-04-13 Portland|April 13, 2012]], Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR.


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


[[Image:2012-04-11 Willamette Week illustration.jpg|x200px]]<br>
[[image:2012-04-11 Willamette Week illustration.jpg|360px|border]]
<small>ILLUSTRATION: Adam Krueger</small>
<br><small>Illustration by Adam Krueger.</small>
 
{{Bibliography notes footer}}
{{Bibliography notes footer}}


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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-19032-costellology_walking_in_the_complicated_shadows_of_elvis_costello%E2%80%99s_storied_past.html Wweek.com]
*[http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-19032-costellology_walking_in_the_complicated_shadows_of_elvis_costello%E2%80%99s_storied_past.html WWeek.com]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willamette_Week Wikipedia: Willamette Week]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willamette_Week Wikipedia: Willamette Week]


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[[Category:Willamette Week| Willamette Week 2012-04-11]]
[[Category:Willamette Week| Willamette Week 2012-04-11]]
[[Category:Newspaper articles]]
[[Category:Newspaper articles]]
[[Category:Concert previews]]

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Costellology

Casey Jarman

Walking in the complicated shadows of Elvis Costello's storied past.

From angry young man to Burt Bacharach collaborator to talk-show host, Elvis Costello rarely settles down long enough to take in the scenery. These days, though, the 57-year-old songwriter seems to be feeling a little sentimental. He's relaunched his long-forgotten Spectacular Spinning Songbook tour — which centers on a giant public set list that looks like something from The Price Is Right and requires audience participation to spin — and slimmed down to his 1970s fighting weight. On the eve of his Portland visit, we thought we'd take the opportunity to stroll down memory lane with Costello.


A man of many moods

Angry: "When England was the whore of the world/ Margaret was her madam/ And the future was as bright and as clear/ As the black tarmacadam" ("Tramp the Dirt Down," Spike)

Depressed: "Was it a millionaire who said 'imagine no possessions'?/ A poor little schoolboy who said 'we don't need no lessons'?/ The rabid rebel dogs ransack the shampoo shop/ The pop princess is downtown shooting up" ("The Other Side of Summer," Mighty Like a Rose)

Funny: "Though he wasn't tall or handsome, she laughed when he told her/ 'I'm the Sheriff of Nottingham and this is Little John'" ("American Without Tears," King of America)

Dreamy: "I might make it California's fault/ Be locked in Geneva's deepest vault/ Just like the canals of Mars and the Great Barrier Reef/ I come to you beyond belief" ("Beyond Belief," Imperial Bedroom)

Showoffish: "All you toy soldiers and scaremongers/ Are you living in this world, sometimes I wonder/ In between saying you've seen too much/ And saying you've seen it all before" ("Human Hands," Imperial Bedroom)


Girls girls girls

"Allison": A now-married ex whom the narrator may or may not want to have killed.

"Veronica": A lovely, but senile, old lady.

"This Year's Girl": A very popular lady, perhaps a pop star, who seems bored with her station in life.

"Party Girl": A young socialite whom the narrator adores but does not wish to settle down with.

"Sulky Girl": A possible vampire and likely goth who ran away from home at a young age.

"Spooky Girlfriend": The narrator's slutty, obedient dream girl. Almost certainly goth.

"Big Sister": "She is the blue chip that belongs to the big fish." Duh.


The best of the best

Trust (1981)
Amazing pop song after amazing pop song. The crown jewel in a stretch of near-flawless late-'70s, early-'80s records. "New Lace Sleeves" just kills.

Blood and Chocolate (1986)
Perhaps the heaviest Elvis Costello record, which finds Costello playing with dark poetry and stringing together some rambling Dylanesque epics.

National Ransom (2010)
After a few ho-hum outings, Costello embraces his inner nerdy American record collector by playing an inspired set of smart, semi-jazzy story songs.


The best of the worst

Almost Blue (1981)
The (fantastic) title track, sadly, isn't actually on this bland, country-covers album. "Good Year for the Roses" may be the only classic cut here, but two Gram Parsons tunes help its case a bit.

Goodbye Cruel World (1984)
Costello has rightly called this his worst album: It is besieged by plastic '80s production and cheesy horns. That said, Daryl Hall duet "The Only Flame in Town" has plenty of kitsch value, and the gorgeous "Love Field" is brilliantly retro-futuristic.

Mighty Like a Rose (1991)
Though it's one of the worst-reviewed Costello outings, I think of it as a fantastic EP with a bunch of shitty bonus tracks. "How to Be Dumb" and "All Grown Up" are classic, theatrical Costello.


Elvis Costello and the Imposters play the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway Ave., on Friday, April 13. 8 pm. $46.50-$86.50. All ages.

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Willamette Week, April 11, 2012

Casey Jarman profiles EC ahead of his concert with The Imposters, Friday, April 13, 2012, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR.

Images

2012-04-11 Willamette Week illustration.jpg
Illustration by Adam Krueger.

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External links

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