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When Elvis Costello set up his musical workshop at the Warfield Theater on Wednesday, many anticipated something special in the works.
In the years since he emerged as one of the most angry — and articulate — of the English new wave crowd, his popularity has grown immensely.
Wednesday's concert was the first of three instant sell-out shows that conclude tonight.
Each was to be different, unique. Last night Costello used a spinning wheel, with 40 song titles on it, to pick what he would play. Tonight is supposed to include sets with both his original band, the Attractions, and the Confederates, the studio band that backed him on his March album, King of America. There were also to be guest performers.
This entire U.S. tour, which could easily have sold out 10,000-seat auditoriums, hits just six cities this month, all extended runs in small theaters like the 2,200-seat Warfield. It began with a five-night stand in Los Angeles last week.
So Wednesday looked like a good bet for the exciting rock show of the week. Costello and the Attractions, however, gave another predictable, standard two-hour show. Good, sometimes exciting rock, but no surprises.
For the encore segment, a request sign lit up and Costello, in black business suit including black tie and shirt, fielded shouted song titles. The only surprise — a shock, actually — came during the encore as the band knocked off the 1977 "Pump It Up," as the curtain closed, only to reopen with the band awash in synthesizer drone.
Costello then sang the new "Poor Napoleon," with the stage lights off so the band was in total darkness. Irritating, numbing strobe lights and psychedelic feedback guitar combined to blind and deafen the crowd. Now that's showmanship!
Throughout the two hours, the impact of most songs was lost due to the worst lighting and sound system Costello has used. Thus far, the songs were good, but the performance was mostly just professional, and the audience — in past Costello shows the crowd was on its feet dancing from the first song — sat and listened until the last few minutes.
Oldies that the band played at their first local appearance nine years ago were included alongside songs from the just-released Blood & Chocolate album, including new ditties as "Battered Old Bird" and "Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind?"
Surprisingly, highlights included the Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," with the audience singing the instrumental riff, and Gerry and the Pacemakers' "Ferry Cross the Mersey," done as a medley with Costello's own "Tiny Steps."
The Attractions (bassist Bruce Thomas, drummer Pete Thomas and keyboardist Steve Nieve) is as much a band as anyone could hope for; tight-knit, with a symphonic bent to make Costello's songs seem bigger than they are. But most of their detail and craftsmanship was lost in the poor sound system.
Costello remains one of rock's most intriguing figures, and it was good seeing him in a small place. Even a normal Costello show is far more interesting than most rock shows these days.
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