Bournemouth ,UK, April 30 `04
verbal gymnastics reports -It was a very strange show. Elvis did not say a single word to the audience until he said "Steve Nieve" after Steve left the stage and he thensolo performed Nothing Clings Like Ivy" as the final song of the main set.
He only spoke once more as he spoke about the Scarlet Tide. He did not say Good Evening, Good Night, Thank You. Nothing. It was very strange. I've never seen anything like it.
My initial thoughts were that something had upset him - the audience perhaps which was a bit subdued. There was also no sound check before the show. The show was not sold out.
The show contained some new songs; Needle Time (which opened the set), Nothing Clings Like Ivy, Monkey to Man, The Delivery Man, Country Darkness and She Pulled Out The Pin as well as Scarlet Tide and the closing Dark End of the Street. He also threw in some gems such as Party Girl, New Amsterdam/YGTHYLA, and Suit of Lights.
The show was very short by Elvis' standards - 90 minutes with the main set being an hour.
It was therefore with trepidation and a degree of pessimism that we went to the stage door...
...but that was a completely different story.
Elvis came out and was charm personified. He was in a happy mood and pleased to sign autographs, tickets, posters, anything and was happy to pose for photos. The flyer for the show said "Elvis Costello with Steve Nieve performing songs from NORTH and other favourites". Elvis joked that it should have read "song from NORTH" as he only performed When It Sings.
Elvis explained that he had a throat infection which hampered his voice. This would explain why the set list was written so briefly. He said he was basically deciding songs depending on what his voice could handle.
I asked him if he was touring the UK later this year as he had a new album to promote. He immediately corrected me and said he have two new albums out this year (guess that answers that one then!). He also told me that he still does not feel he has toured North properly and wants to play shows with a full orchestra. He said the beauty of TJL and North was that he could play them with an orchestra. I guess that means any shows would also include the Brodsky Quartet.
Paddy also let slip that Elvis would be on Later With Jools Holland later in the year but didn't/wouldn't(!) elaborate further. So if you've got any BBC contacts...
Apparently Elvis is now off to Sardinia which I overheard from the sound engineer. He also said Elvis would be touring with The Impostors around October/November but wasn't sure if the tour would be starting in the UK or the US.
Elvis was wearing the obligatory black suit (but with an open necked patterned shirt). Steve wore a black suit and tie.
Elvis met the fans with his also obligatory black leather jacket for you completists!
(Submitted to the Costello Fan Forum)
It was a very strange show. Elvis did not say a single word to the audience until he said "Steve Nieve" after Steve left the stage and he thensolo performed Nothing Clings Like Ivy" as the final song of the main set.
He only spoke once more as he spoke about the Scarlet Tide. He did not say Good Evening, Good Night, Thank You. Nothing. It was very strange. I've never seen anything like it.
My initial thoughts were that something had upset him - the audience perhaps which was a bit subdued. There was also no sound check before the show. The show was not sold out.
The show contained some new songs; Needle Time (which opened the set), Nothing Clings Like Ivy, Monkey to Man, The Delivery Man, Country Darkness and She Pulled Out The Pin as well as Scarlet Tide and the closing Dark End of the Street. He also threw in some gems such as Party Girl, New Amsterdam/YGTHYLA, and Suit of Lights.
The show was very short by Elvis' standards - 90 minutes with the main set being an hour.
I got Elvis' setlist which is now owned by SoLacklustre (can you scan it?). It was written as a short set.
It was therefore with trepidation and a degree of pessimism that we went to the stage door...
...but that was a completely different story.
Elvis came out and was charm personified. He was in a happy mood and pleased to sign autographs, tickets, posters, anything and was happy to pose for photos. The flyer for the show said "Elvis Costello with Steve Nieve performing songS from NORTH and other favourites". Elvis joked that it should have read "song from NORTH" as he only performed When It Sings.
Elvis explained that he had a throat infection which hampered his voice. This would explain why the set list was written so briefly. He said he was basically deciding songs depending on what his voice could handle.
I asked him if he was touring the UK later this year as he had a new album to promote. He immediately corrected me and said he have two new albums out this year (guess that answers that one then!). He also told me that he still does not feel he has toured North properly and wants to play shows with a full orchestra. He said the beauty of TJL and North was that he could play them with an orchestra. I guess that means any shows would also include the Brodsky Quartet.
Paddy also let slip that Elvis would be on Later With Jools Holland later in the year but didn't/wouldn't(!) elaborate further. So if you've got any BBC contacts...
Apparently Elvis is now off to Sardinia which I overheard from the sound engineer. He also said Elvis would be touring with The Impostors around October/November but wasn't sure if the tour would be starting in the UK or the US.
Elvis was wearing the obligatory black suit (but with an open necked patterned shirt). Steve wore a black suit and tie.
Elvis met the fans with his also obligatory black leather jacket for you completists!