New Costello bio. due Oct. 2004
Complicated Shadows: The Life and Music of Elvis Costello
Graeme Thomson
Hardcover 528 pages (October 2004)
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
ISBN: 1841955442
Mark Perry , former publisher of Beyond Belief ( fab. Costello fanzine) made these comments in a Costello/Bruce Thomas debate on listserv in March 2003 -
Don't give up hope of hearing Bruce's side of the story, though. I
understand that a "major" Costello biography has been commissioned,
scheduled for publication in 2004 to coincide with EC's 50th birthday. I
have spoken to the writer a couple of times and can confirm that he seems
to be doing some proper research, rather than just the usual rehash of all
the tired old press clippings. I don't want to jinx things by saying too
much at this stage, but I think it's fair to say that there are some
interesting prospective interviewees lined up, quite possibly including a
certain ex-professional bass player.
>> Who's the author of the bio, if you can say?
The author's name is Graeme Thomson. I don't know much about him as a
writer, but he seems a decent bloke with a good sense of what has been
lacking in previous Costello books. He also seems to have the budget to do some real research (something which Brian Hinton, for instance, never had). Oh, and I checked: he does know EC's correct birthdate (something which Tony Clayton-Lea, for instance, never did).
Comments
Hi,
I’m writing to alert you of my forthcoming book, Complicated Shadows: The Life & Music of Elvis Costello (due September, Canongate Books). I know the estimable Mark Perry has already given me a little plug on your site, but I thought I might give you a little more information. The biog is extremely comprehensive - about 140,000 words in length - and is the result of over two years research. It features much previously unpublished information on EC and corrects many inaccuracies which have grown up around his life and career.
For the first time in an Elvis book there is copious use of first hand accounts and contemporary sources. There are nearly 50 exclusive interviews used as primary sources in the book, dating from all periods of his life. Significant interviewees include: schoolfriends from Declan’s primary and secondary schools; Allan Mayes (Rusty); Ken Smith and Steve Hazelhurst (Flip City); ‘Honky Tonk’ DJ Charlie Gillet; Dave Robinson (Stiff); John Ciambotti and John McFee (Clover); Bruce Thomas; Wreckless Eric; Ian Gomm; Roger Bechirian (co-producer); Clive Langer; Andrew Lauder (Radar & F-Beat); Chris Difford (Squeeze); various members of The Pogues; Bebe Buell; Paul Cassidy (Brodsky Quartet); Alex Cox; Steve Earle; Mitchell Froom; Bob Geldof; Richard Harvey; Marc Ribot; Bill Frisell; David Sefton (The South Bank and UCLA); Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Scheff & Ron Tutt and many others. In this way, I have been able to paint a rounded picture of Elvis as both a man and a musician.
I hope I can confidently state that this is the definitive work on Costello to date. In addition to a thoroughly comprehensive analysis of his life and his entire musical output, both on stage and in the studio, there are 36 pages of photographs, the oldest dating back to when he was 8 years old and many of which have never been seen before. The book also features previously unpublished lyrics from his earliest songs.
My favourite EC song? Well having looked at the set-lists over the last few weeks I have a real yearning to hear ‘Indoor Fireworks’ today. I’m sure tomorrow I’ll be in a more ‘Luxembourg’ frame of mind. All the Best, and I hope you enjoy the book.
Graeme Thomson, Edinburgh, May 23, 2004
Posted by: Graeme Thomson | May 24, 2004 6:21 AM