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Elvis Costello knows better than anyone in British pop music how to make a drama out of a crisis.
"Shipbuilding," which he co-wrote in the wake of the Falklands crisis, asked: "Is it worth it?" And in his dramatic evocation of the effects of war on one dockyard town penetrated the soft underbelly of the seemingly solid body of pro-war propaganda.
"Shipbuilding" was just as well received in Cardiff's Mayfair, where Elvis and his Attractions performed a wide selection of the superbly observed, biting songs about human frailty which have assured him a cult following but barred them from mass popularity.
They touched a chord on Friday night, though, with their programme which included material from all their albums — including the ominous "Oliver's Army" but also The Beat's "Stand Down Margaret" and the O'Jays' hit "Back Stabbers."
Elvis Costello and the Attractions have been together some years now, and their playing is tight and professional. The rhythm section of Bruce and Pete Thomas and the innovative keyboard playing of Steve Nieve leave Costello room for his idiosyncratic guitar playing and rich vocals, which he has made his trademark.
In Cardiff the four permanent band members were aided by a four-piece brass section and two girl singers known as Afrodiziak. The additions to the orchestra were outstanding on newer material such as "Everyday I Write The Book," and added a new dimension to the classic "Watching The Detectives."
They are not a band to rest on their laurels. They have been playing slower versions of several songs from the Get Happy album for years, and closed their set with a mellow "Clowntime Is Over" last night. But, for me the highlight of the show was a new arrangement of "Clubland," in which Costello's guitar is more prominent.
In the end Elvis's army was totally triumphant. They overcame a disappointing sound system and captivated their audience. If, like Elvis Costello and the Attractions, I should ever be "Waiting For The End Of The World," I hope I shall be at one of their concerts as the balloon goes up.
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