'Official ' site revamped
Elvis' 'official' site has been revamped , including this summary of recent activities -
( extract)
Elvis Costello and the Imposters made their South American concert debut in October 2005 with appearances in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires and had planned to record again in the spring of ’06. However, following the Katrina catastrophe, Costello was given the opportunity to perform at two benefit concerts with the great New Orleans piano player, songwriter and producer, Allen Toussaint.
They had first collaborated in the 1980’s, when Toussaint produced a commissioned version of Yoko Ono’s “Walking on Thin Ice”. He later provided a wonderful piano part for “Deep, Dark Truthful Mirror”, a track on the album, “Spike”. Now, finding that Toussaint had temporarily re-located to New York City, following the loss of his home in the flood, Costello approached the Toussaint about a more substantial collaboration.
Following a short but intense period of writing they entered the studio with a combination of The Imposters lead by Toussaint at the piano and Steve Nieve playing Hammond B3. Toussaint’s regular guitar player, Anthony Brown and his horn section also augmented the band.
“The River In Reverse” was recorded in two weeks and produced by Joe Henry. Sessions began at Sunset Sound, Hollywood and concluded at Piety Street Studios in New Orleans. It is thought to be one of the first major recording project to take place in the city since the Katrina disaster. The album will include renditions of a number of songs from the Toussaint catalogue, including “Who’s Gonna Help Brother Get Further?” and “Freedom For The Stallion”.
The title track is one of the recent Costello compositions to feature a characteristic Toussaint horn arrangement. “Ascension Day” is Toussaint’s beautiful minor key variation of Professor Longhair’s “Tipitiina” with new words by Costello, while “International Echo” is the work of both songwriters.
“The River In Reverse” will be issued by Verve Forecast in May 2006.