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Elvis Costello

Electric_DeltaElectric_Delta Posts: 977
edited July 2011 in Other Music
I have always loved alternative music, but I'm embarrassed to admit that, up until two months ago, I've only had a passing knowledge of Elvis Costello's catalog.

I have since realized he IS a genius and I want to collect his records. Anyone here knowledgeable about his music? Any suggestions on where to start? I do love his older stuff.

By the way, I never realized his nickname was Napoleon Dynamite :lol:
Bristow, VA (5/13/10)
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • PopmartijnPopmartijn Posts: 382
    Elvis Costello is indeed a genius! He has written so many great songs, it's almost unbelievable. And he's still going strong. I'll be seeing him in November when he's doing a solo gig around here and I'm already looking forward to seeing him again.

    As for where to start, he has released so much (and of such high quality) that his catalogue might seem a bit daunting. But you can't go wrong with his first four records (My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces and Get Happy!!). Those records, released within 3 1/2 years or so, were something like a perfect storm. Other favourites of mine are Imperial Bedroom (quite lush and orchestral, but still with the venom of his backing band The Attractions) and Blood & Chocolate (where he and a pissed off The Attractions went back to their roots).
    BTW, Elvis has remastered/re-issued his catalogue many times. But if you can find the 2CD versions of the albums in some used record stores, don't hesitate to get them. They sound great and all have a bonus disc with many excellent outtakes, demos, alternate versions, live tracks, etc. Plus liner notes by Elvis himself.

    Enjoy!
  • dcfaithfuldcfaithful Posts: 13,076
    Popmartijn wrote:
    As for where to start, he has released so much (and of such high quality) that his catalogue might seem a bit daunting. But you can't go wrong with his first four records (My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces and Get Happy!!)

    I've always wanted to get into Elvis Costello myself, but kind of forgot and was unsure as to where to start as well. Now, looking up these albums you've recommended, they've all got great reviews.

    Definitely going to have to check these out.

    On another note, I didn't know hew as classified as "new wave" and/or "punk rock" :think:
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  • Electric_DeltaElectric_Delta Posts: 977
    Popmartijn wrote:
    Elvis Costello is indeed a genius! He has written so many great songs, it's almost unbelievable. And he's still going strong. I'll be seeing him in November when he's doing a solo gig around here and I'm already looking forward to seeing him again.

    As for where to start, he has released so much (and of such high quality) that his catalogue might seem a bit daunting. But you can't go wrong with his first four records (My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces and Get Happy!!). Those records, released within 3 1/2 years or so, were something like a perfect storm. Other favourites of mine are Imperial Bedroom (quite lush and orchestral, but still with the venom of his backing band The Attractions) and Blood & Chocolate (where he and a pissed off The Attractions went back to their roots).
    BTW, Elvis has remastered/re-issued his catalogue many times. But if you can find the 2CD versions of the albums in some used record stores, don't hesitate to get them. They sound great and all have a bonus disc with many excellent outtakes, demos, alternate versions, live tracks, etc. Plus liner notes by Elvis himself.

    Enjoy!

    I'll check it out. Thanks for the info!
    Bristow, VA (5/13/10)
  • Rock FossilRock Fossil Posts: 47
    Popmartijn wrote:
    Elvis Costello is indeed a genius! He has written so many great songs, it's almost unbelievable. And he's still going strong. I'll be seeing him in November when he's doing a solo gig around here and I'm already looking forward to seeing him again.

    As for where to start, he has released so much (and of such high quality) that his catalogue might seem a bit daunting. But you can't go wrong with his first four records (My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces and Get Happy!!). Those records, released within 3 1/2 years or so, were something like a perfect storm. Other favourites of mine are Imperial Bedroom (quite lush and orchestral, but still with the venom of his backing band The Attractions) and Blood & Chocolate (where he and a pissed off The Attractions went back to their roots).
    BTW, Elvis has remastered/re-issued his catalogue many times. But if you can find the 2CD versions of the albums in some used record stores, don't hesitate to get them. They sound great and all have a bonus disc with many excellent outtakes, demos, alternate versions, live tracks, etc. Plus liner notes by Elvis himself.

    Enjoy!
    Great advice. I have the first 4 on vinyl from when they were first released (kind of shows my age) but lost interest after that. There are flashes of brilliance after that but every song on the early albums is worth a listen. And backing bands don't come much better than The Attactions.
    Now I'm livin' out here on the beach,
    but those seagulls are still out of reach.
  • Jack StrawJack Straw Posts: 92
    Elvis is great. Some of his more recent stuff is very strong too. Check out "Momofuku", "The Delivery Man", and "When I was Cruel"... You really can't go wrong with anything he's done.
    East Lansing 98, Detroit 98, Tampa 00, Detroit 00, Buffalo 03, State College 03, Detroit I 03, Detroit II 03, Toronto 03, Toledo 04, Grand Rapids, 04, Kitchener 05, London 05, Grand Rapids 06, Cleveland 06, Detroit 06, Cincinnati 06, Lollapalooza 07, West Palm Beach 08, Tampa 08, To be continued...
  • Thoughts_ArriveThoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
    I too don't know many songs.
    Oliver's Army is great.
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  • pinkbutterflypinkbutterfly Posts: 1,391
    My favorite Elvis Costello song is "God Give Me Strength" ~ so beautiful!
    My last message to you ~

    You're right. You are a monster! You are sick! Get help!

    At least, I am not a fuck-up! A lying fuck-up!
  • jervin007jervin007 Posts: 3,182
    Heard his current tour is amazing. A friend went to the show a few nights ago and said he has a wheel on-stage. Costello goes into the audience and picks people to come on-stage and spin the wheel and then plays whatever classic song it lands on. Then he has the person sit on stage, wear things like top hats and canes, and dance with Go-Go dancers on stage.

    Costello even walked through the orchestra and up into the balcony and picked a girl from the very last row in the venue to come on-stage.

    Very cool.
    PJ:
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    2005 Montreal: Sept 15
    2006 Boston: May 24 & 25
    2008 Hartford: June 27, Mansfield: June 28,
    2010 Boston: May 17
    2013 Worcester: Oct 15, Hartford: Oct 25,
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    EV Solo: Boston 8/2/08, Boston 6/16/11
  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    jervin007 wrote:
    Heard his current tour is amazing. A friend went to the show a few nights ago and said he has a wheel on-stage. Costello goes into the audience and picks people to come on-stage and spin the wheel and then plays whatever classic song it lands on. Then he has the person sit on stage, wear things like top hats and canes, and dance with Go-Go dancers on stage.

    Costello even walked through the orchestra and up into the balcony and picked a girl from the very last row in the venue to come on-stage.

    Very cool.
    When I saw him (festival) there was no spinning wheel, but it was incredible. Just song after song of brilliance.
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
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