Tuesday, April 01, 2003

---

Costello Joins New 'Supergroup' Word from the Costello offices today confirms that EC is planning to join Graham Parker, Joe Jackson, with Nick Lowe on a fall World Tour tentatively titled "Angry Young Men - Live". The group is expecting to play songs from each of the artists' catalog, plus work of their prime influences such as Bob Dylan, and at least 3 to 5 new songs they're co-authoring. The tour is expected to begin at New York's Beacon Theatre the first week in August, and then play 27 dates across the US. UK and European date plans are pending.  12:08:52 PM

---

Costello Fans Forum Looks like this one has some traction... 11:23:49 AM

---

Tour Plans: EC & I's to play Fuji Rock Festival Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Japan on July 27. Main Site Here . (submitted by Mike Bodayle) 10:02:53 AM

---

Review of UCLA show Daily Variety / March 31, 2003 "...Costello instead opened the door to his musical mindset, framing songs with heavy echo and sparse instrumentation and providing a slow, pondering pace to the evening that complemented the artistic arc of his often somber material. ... The first half emphasized music that had been squeezed through a dub reggae processor, as several older tunes ("Clubland," Mose Allison's "Everybody's Cryin' Mercy") were molded to fit in line with songs ("Spooky Girlfriend," "Dust 2") from last year's "When I Was Cruel." ... Second half of the show had far more acoustic moments, nothing better than a medley of "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" and Smokey Robinson's "You Really Got a Hold of Me." ... Give Costello his props for always thinking about his material and digging for new interpretations when warranted." Read Full Article   (Submitted by Robert Sabat) 8:50:53 AM

---

Backstage News from the Bono MusiCares benefit From the web site of Shane Fontayne who played guitar at the event where EC played 'Kite' Visit here then click 'Special Pre-Grammy Tribute to Bono' Link, then click 'for full details click here'. Here is Shane's discussion of the rehearsals: "We rehearsed again with Sheryl, Norah, the gospel choir with Rob Mathes giving us a lovely soulful vocal rendition in Patti's absence and also for the first time with Elvis Costello. I had particularly been looking forward to this and it was no disappointment. He was like a prize fighter, pacing, impatient, a little petulant. He was ready to play and his microphone wasn't turned on. The crew hustled to get things up and running for him. He was playing his beat up Gibson acoustic through an electric guitar amp with a grungey distortion pedal and started singing. What a voice! He unsmilingly exhorted and conducted how he wanted the band to dynamically respond and it was one of those occasions for me where I had to just turn it up and let it loose. " And more later about the actual performance: "Elvis Costello was as he was earlier in the day, impatient, tightly wound and sounding loud and wonderful. He paced the stage after his performance and then in bringing Bono and Edge to the stage to perform, exhorted that we cut to the chase and "...give him the fucking Nobel Peace Prize NOW!" 8:40:34 AM

---

LA Times review of EC&I's at UCLA "...Costello's guitar reverberated with stentorian yet understated power. His frequently backed-off-the-microphone vocals showed ever-improving control and projection, especially on a solo acoustic "Still Too Soon to Know" done without amplification. The show's melancholy tone felt most despairing during a poignant "All This Useless Beauty," but interludes such as an absolutely stomping "High Fidelity" cut the tension and reminded listeners that Costello is never far removed from the fire." (Submitted by Dave Farr) 8:40:33 AM

© Copyright 2003 Craig Danuloff.