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Elvis Costello, the Clark Kent of rock, wooed Manchester rock fans at intimate new wave venue Rafters recently.
With his three-piece band — The Attractions — providing taut, nervous and very distinctive backing, he played confidently through a selection of numbers from his two solo albums — both landmarks in the evolution of plagiaristic British pop.
All his well-documented themes of revenge, guilt, jealousy and bittersweet tenderness were featured, and animated by Costello's powerful live presence.
And yet excellent as many of his songs undoubtedly are — "Alison," "Less Than Zero," "I'm Not Angry," "Lipstick Vogue," "Living in Paradise" — there was something lacking in the concert.
His style surprisingly doesn't lend itself to any improvisation in a live context. There's just something too safe, comfortable, and formularised about his song-structure to allow for any unforeseen elements to affect the musical arrangements. And this does lead to a marked lack of excitement.
Albums are like novels. It's a very introverted medium. The receiver can live vicariously though the creator.
Live concerts like this are like film in the cinema — far-more ordered and ultimately, despite the potential, safe.
Almost fascistic in its purpose — one frame, one still, one well-rehearsed song after another.
Applause, applause — another good professional concert that betrays the original archaic promise of the new wave revolution.
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