Universal (label)
02 April 2012 (released)
05 April 2012
Elvis Costello’s idea for the original series of concerts was a clever and entertaining one. A giant spinning wheel with song titles on it would determine each night’s set-list. A member of the audience is chosen to spin the wheel each time, guaranteeing a different mix of songs each night. Revived for shows across America last year, the concept still has a magic and unique charm.
The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook was recorded over a 2-night stand at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles in May 2011 on a tour that received critical acclaim across the States. The songs range from the classics, like Watching The Detectives which on the CD is given a good rock out by a band sounding on the top of their game and receives one of the loudest welcomes. There are rarer b-sides and cover versions too (or in the case of Tear Off Your Own Head, a song he wrote for The Bangles, performed here with Susanna Hoffs).
The Deluxe Edition includes a CD, DVD and 28 page booklet filled with musings from Napoleon Dynamite (aka Elvis Costello), the MC of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook show. The likes of Everyday I Write The Book and God Give Me Strength sound great, with I Want You given a Crazy Horse style work-over while there is a delightful version of Rolling Stones' Out Of Time.
The DVD is from Costello's show on May 12 and will delight keen fans of Costello with bonus footage including an alternate intro by Napoleon Dynamite and behind-the-scenes moments captured with the Imposters themselves.
Live CDs are always a hit and miss affair, and most of the time a miss, unless you are a true fan of the artist or maybe there on the night of the gig itself. But here Costello displays that despite his age, he is still thoroughly enjoying his career. Over the last year he has appeared at extreme ends of the entertainment market, at a gig with the Strokes and on Sesame Street, here you can just enjoy what he does best.
If you are not a fan this is not the best way to introduce yourself to Elvis Costello’s catalogue, but if you have been skeptical of his talents before, you should watch or listen to the gig, and you will soon understand why he is so popular, not just with music buyers, but musicians across the board.
