CostelloNews.com

A fan reports -

Mr. Costello was in rare form and high spirits last night in New York.

The event took place at Joe’s Pub (the tiny, intimate club venue attached to the Joseph Papp Public Theater in Greenwich Village) and was an industry preview sponsored by Verve (the label of their upcoming collaboration, The River in Reverse). The staff at Joe’s said that only 20 standing-room-only tickets were released to the general public, and the remainder of the audience consisted of guests invited by Verve and the performers (when he took the stage, the jovial Mr. Costello thanked those who had paid to get in and told the rest that they’d be picking their pockets later…).

The evening’s music began with 5 or 6 numbers by Ollabelle (the band of Amy Helm, daughter of Levon Helm). I was previously unfamiliar with their work, but I found their funky folksy-bluesy style enjoyable (my husband described it as “electrified traditional”). Playing guitar and violin at the rear of the stage was obviously none other than Larry Campbell (sans moustache), who Elvis fans will be very familiar with after last summer’s tour. However, sadly, none of the other performers ever acknowledged his presence or introduced him to the crowd.

Then Costello and Toussaint took the stage by storm. In a vibrant purple iridescent damask tie and matching purple shirt with rhinestone cufflinks, the energized Elvis launched into the first of the new songs (“The Sharpest Thorn”). It quickly became obvious that the two of them are an excellent creative match, and that they were very excited about unveiling the new songs. The set (and indeed, the new album) consisted of a mix of new numbers that they had composed together and older items from Toussaint’s back catalog (with a group rendition of “Scarlet Tide” thrown in at the end). Elvis struggled a little with hoarseness on a few of the high notes, but those moments were quickly lost in the energy of the evening.

The new songs they performed were: “The Sharpest Thorn,” which started the set with a bang; “Ascension Day,” a very powerful number that really brought out Elvis’ best razor-sharp edge; “The River in Reverse,” the compelling title track with dark overtones, both angry and mournful; and “International Echo,” their playful, lighthearted antidote to the other compositions.

The other numbers were from Toussaint’s back catalog, including “Freedom for the Stallion,” which they performed at previous Hurricane Katrina benefits; “Who’s Gonna Help Brother Get Further”; and a fantastic rendition of the beautiful ballad, “Nearer to You.” They ended the evening by bringing all of the members of Olabelle and Larry Campbell back out (quite a feat on the tiny stage at Joe’s Pub), and the whole ensemble performed “Scarlet Tide” and finished with Toussaint’s “Yes We Can.”

Throughout the evening Mr. Costello told stories of the different Katrina benefits, explained the genesis of some of the new songs (the lyrics of “Ascension Day” are Elvis' verbal expression of the images engendered for him by the Professor Longhair classic “Tipitina”) and was just an all-around gracious and engaging host, receiving a thank-you from the audience by way of two standing ovations.

After the performance (which lasted about an hour and 15 minutes) Elvis and Allen were available “backstage” to chat (which at Joe’s Pub consists of the hallway outside of the ladies room; I have met a number of fine artists there on the way back from freshening up). Mr. Costello was gracious and charming as always, and he seemed energized by the performance and eager for feedback on the new material.

All-in-all it was an excellent evening that served its purpose admirably, whetting everyone’s appetite for the May release of The River in Reverse.

Setlist (E.C. and A.T.)
The Sharpest Thorn
Freedom For the Stallion
Who’s Gonna Help Brother Get Further
Ascension Day
River in Reverse
Nearer to You
International Echo

With Olabelle/Larry Campbell:
Scarlet Tide
Yes We Can

I didn't track the Olabelle songs (was unfamiliar with most), but there was a mix of what I assume were their own compositions and traditional folk/bluegrass classics.

On a more personal note, the Elvis gods smiled on us once again. We were one of the first in line, and when the host at the podium asked us if we had dinner reservations, I told him that we always make reservations when we come there, but when we called this time we were told that we couldn't, that the members of the public could only stand at the bar, and that all of the tables were reserved for industry folks. The host said "Well, if you want dinner, I have a table for you." He sat us stage-side, dead-center, immediately in front of Elvis, who was literally inches away from us. Thank you gods of Elvis and thank you Joe's Pub. Another great evening with the master.