Just got back from a fairly exhausting 24 hours (to DC and back, Elvis show, lots of drinks in lots of bars). The show was absolutely fantastic. A Geeky Fanboy's dream set, really. He played lots of songs from the deep catalog that I'd never heard live before (Strict Time, Lover's Walk, Sleep of the Just, etc.) and an absolutely KILLER cover of the Beatles rarity "Hey Bulldog". The really amazing thing though was the pace. They played for an hour without saying a word or pausing for more than five seconds between songs. These guys in their 50s (Pete Thomas might be 60!) put any young band I've seen in ages to absolute shame. The show was 2 hours and 20 minutes and I'd say that 2 hours and 17 minutes of that was music.
The real treat, especially as I was there with two ex-pat New Orleans friends, was the surprise appearance of Allen Toussaint. He guested on 3 songs, including his own Yes You Can Can. Anytime I hear or see Allen play, it takes me home again. He is an extremely elegant gentleman and he used to park his Rolls in front of my house on Mystery St. when he would visit the Whole Foods (he was always dressed as impeccably as he is in the picture above). One time I drunkenly asked him to sign my 'Spike' CD by Costello (which he had guested on). He kindly obliged and whipped a sterling silver pen from the pocket in his vest with which to sign it!
Set list:
Welcome To The Working Week
Shabby Doll
The Beat
Lovers walk
Secondary modern
Strict time
Brilliant mistake
Country Darkness
Temptation
Clubland
Beyond belief
Kinder murder
Alibi
Watching The Detectives
American gangster time
Lipstick vogue
Riot act
ENCORE 1
I hope you're happy now
No action
You belong to me
Waiting for the end of the world
High fidelity
Uncomplicated
Radio radio
Imposter
ENCORE 2
Alison (solo) (Band intros)
Sleep of the just
****** surprise guest !!!! Allan toussant!!!! ******
River in reverse
Monkey to man
Yes I can can
Hey bulldog
Pump it up
Peace love and understanding
5 comments:
Very nice recap, Dave thanks! How perfect, having Toussaint show up! How close were you? How much of a back-up band did he have? Wish we could all have a beer and talk about it.
Jeez, Dave, what an incredible show. That's one for the ages.
Lurker, we were fairly far back, but it was an SRO club and not very big, so I had an unobstructed view. I've also been right on the stage at these types of shows, and you have to endure a spit shower from Elvis.
The band was his usual band of the last few years, the Imposters, featuring Pete Thomas and Steve Nieve of the Attractions and Davey Faragher who has played with John Hiatt, Cracker, and numerous others. He sings harmonies, which El has never had at shows before, and it adds a whole new dimension to the songs. Steve Nieve is just an amazing wizard and played everything from piano to melodica to theramin.
Sounds like a show for a hardcore Costello fan. Wish I knew one of those ...
The vocal harmonies would be a nice touch.
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