Walking to the venue inside the Big Red Tube across the expressway, our ears were assaulted by the teenage cult of Capaldi screeching out his hit, Before You Go, at full volume, louder even than the buskers with their amps. The girls were heading to the Hydro to hear Bathgate's biggest pop star. We were going to the Armadillo to see a different act, where the average audience age was old enough to be their papas.
Elvis Costello is sixty-five, beat prostate cancer and recently won another Grammy. He's been around since the late seventies and deserves kudos for some great songs. I wouldn't describe myself as a rabid fan, owning one greatest hits CD from 1999 and another album on tape, but I like him enough to be curious to hear him play live.
Unfortunately, to quote his own lyric from Oliver's Army, "I would rather be anywhere else, but here today". It was painful. He always had a peculiar singing voice but tonight it was more off-key than on. On top of that, Steve Nieve on keyboards seemed to want to play a different tune to the rest of the band and be louder than everyone else. It didn't come across as particularly cohesive.
There were some pluses. The two backing singers, Kitten and Brianna Lee, were fantastic, synchronising their moves to the music and possessing amazing gospel-style voices. The lighting was occasionally impressive and Elvis can play a mean electric guitar and tinkle a tune on the piano. It was just a shame that when he sang he occasionally murdered the song, Shipbuilding being awful. I'm glad he didn't attempt She. The frustrating thing was sometimes he was great, belting out the tune and nailing it, such as during the final number, Peace, Love and Understanding. I just think I shouldn't be cringing listening to a performer of his calibre. Simon Cowell would have been holding up his hand to stop the performance saying he'd heard enough, sending him home.
The fans lapped it up, giving Elvis a standing ovation multiple times during the show. I think many were still reliving the glory days of their youth, their hearing aids muted.
On the walk back to the car, the Capaldi girls were still outside singing that tune. I suspect they had a better night than me.
Setlist
Strict Time (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Clubland (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Green Shirt (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Accidents Will Happen (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Watch Your Step (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Tokyo Storm Warning (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
I Let the Sun Go Down
(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Unwanted Number
Watching the Detectives (Elvis Costello song)
A Good Year for the Roses (George Jones cover)
A Face in the Crowd (Elvis Costello song)
Flutter & Wow
I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down (Sam & Dave cover)
Radio Radio (Elvis Costello song)
High Fidelity (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
From a Whisper to a Scream (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Alison (Elvis Costello song)
Everyday I Write the Book (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Pump It Up (Elvis Costello song)
Encore:
Shipbuilding (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
I Want You (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Oliver's Army (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Brinsley Schwarz cover)
No comments:
Post a Comment