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Elvis Costello is a writer and part-time musician who made a number of records in the 20th Century, some of which are still remembered today.
He was born in London and raised there and in Liverpool.
Costello is the composer or lyricist of over six hundred published titles, including fifteen songs co-written with Paul McCartney and renowned collaborations with Allen Toussaint, the Brodsky Quartet and T Bone Burnett.
Costello's songwriting alliance with Burt Bacharach, began in 1995 with the song, "God Give Me Strength", which led to the 1998 album, "Painted From Memory", before their work was collected in 2023, on the four-album set, "The Songs Of Bacharach & Costello".
Elvis Costello songs have been recorded by Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Chet Baker, Dusty Springfield, Solomon Burke, George Jones, Linda Ronstadt and Bjork, while among the artists with whom he has written songs are Loretta Lynn, Carole King, Rosanne Cash and Kris Kristofferson and his wife, Diana Krall.
Working purely as a lyricist, Costello has provided words for the music of Billy Strayhorn, Oscar Peterson and for twelve Charles Mingus compositions and as a composer, set twelve unpublished lyrics by Bob Dylan.
2024 will see the opening of "A Face In The Crowd", Sarah Ruhl's stage adaptation of the Budd Schulberg story for which Elvis Costello composed the songs.
"A Face In The Crowd" will open at the Young Vic in London on INSERT DATE, directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah and produced by Adam Kenwright.
Elvis Costello is the author of "Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink", a more than six-hundred page memoir which has been translated into six languages. He has received a range of awards over his 45 year old career of which the induction into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame is probably the most significant.
Although he holds two honorary doctorates in music - one from the University of Liverpool and another from the New England Conservatory- Elvis Costello is known for playing the guitar with almost no regard for common sense.
Costello currently performs with The Imposters; his long time companions, drummer, Pete Thomas and pianist, Steve Nieve, bassist of twenty-three years standing, Davey Faragher and their special guest, Texas guitarist, Charlie Sexton.
An interesting reworking of the material by great musicians. Unfortunately the sound was very muddy most of the time. Given that my seats were dead center, 6 rows in front of the mix....no excuse at all.
Ive been a fan of Elvis Costello for 25 years but this show was a letdown. The sound was muddled and the performance lacked the energy from earlier performances.
Sadly Elvis Costello’s voice is shot and the band is badly out of sync. Also the photo that ticketmaster used for seating is misleading. I bought a ticket at the back of the second area of seating. It showed a clear view when, in reality, there is a significant overhang from the balcony above which creates a cave-like view of the stage.
I went to an Elvis Costello concert about 18 months ago and knew only 2 songs he played all night: Allison, and What's So Funny..... This time it was much better, but still a little light on the hits. That said he and his band are tremendous perfomers and it was a great show.
While I appreciate that Costello has re-arranged many of his standards (love the Ska beats), the band - and Elvis - sound like they need a bit more practice on the new approaches. Costello sang behind the beat much of the time, often missing the beat altogether. It just sounded a mess. We almost left halfway through... I'm glad we stayed, but it wasn't an Elvis-worthy performance.
The band sounded great - the talent on stage was amazing. The way Elvis reinvents his own songs and others is so creative. I love that he and his band play more intimate venues - it changes the whole feel of the event in the best way. It was a truly an enjoyable and entertaining evening.
I was really looking forward to seeing Elvis Costello, but I have to say he was very disappointing. The acoustics in the Tilles centre weren’t that good, but neither was his voice. There were too many songs that were out of his reach, and the set list was also not as strong as it could have been. Won’t be back
So disappointing. Terrible sound quality, ruined a great setlist.
My second time seeing Mr. Costello, even though I've always been a fan. First time was last year at Radio City. He was as energetic and funny with his comments between songs as he was then. Being a lifelong Dylan fan, Charlie Sexton on guitar was an added bonus. Elvis' unique voice had it's usual unique bobbing resonance, but only on certain microphones, it seemed. Other times he was drowned out by the band in what was quite a muddled mix. They seemed to get it together only for the last few songs or during a brief interlude when he sung ballads. The other problem was, well, the crowd. Even though this was on a college campus, in my mid-50s I was certainly one of the youngest ones there. Several times Elvis had to cajole the audience of roughly 2,000 to stand-up or sing the words of the chorus when he swung the mic around. In other words, to behave like they were at a rock-and-roll concert. It was like watching a comedian beg the audience to laugh. It must have really bummed him out. I look forward to seeing him again when he's not playing a venue which is probably better suited for a policy debate or a production of Hamlet.
Elvis and his band were great. They are all amazing musicians. He did a nice selection of his old tunes – popular hits and old acoustic songs too. We’ve seen a variety of different types of shows over the years at the Tilles Center in Brookville NY, which is located on the campus of CW Post. Always good, always enjoyable and sounds great. That said, the sound for Elvis Costello’s show was awful. It was muddy, compressed, and very mid tone only. Several other people there said the same. We don’t know what happened but it was clearly a problem.
This was my sixth time seeing Elvis Costello. The first time being in 1987 I believe. His voice was still pretty good but the arrangements for his array of hits were done in such a way that all the songs sounded exactly the same...and not in a good way. The sound system was also a bit tinny and overpowering drowning out his voice a bit. Our seats were good, as is any seat at Tilles Center, so that can't explain it. We left a bit early as did many other people who were walking to their cars in the parking lot. I choose to remember Elvis the way he used to be and just listen to my records of his great songs.
Amazing performance, amazing venue. I think the sound mixer was a little weak on the vocals but otherwise a brilliant performance.
Saw Elvis and the Imposters at the Fillmore in Miami. The setlist was excellent. Unfortunately, at 70, Elvis's voice was struggling, particularly in the lower, quieter range. The audio mix was muddles for much of the first 1/3 of the performance and the lighting was just terrible. How can you have no spotlights on featured performers? The keyboard player often played in darkness. Also, I understand artists like to change up arrangements of songs but I am not going to lie, I was very disappointed in the slowed-down acoustic version of Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes. And what a waste of talent having Charlie Sexton there. He's a great guitarist but you'd never have known it as he was not given any opportunity to shine. I LOVE EC but it was overall an underwhelming show.
Elvis Costello and the Imposters had a great set at the Fillmore. He started off with a few slow numbers and rearranged a few of his hits to a Bossanova beat. Elvis engaged the crowd with amusing stories from the past that explained how the song he was about to sing was created. The second half of the show was pure energy with the crowd on their feel singing his songs at the top of their lungs. His voice was strong and never cracked in the two and a half hour show. Can’t wait to see him again.
The whole show was great from start to finish!!!! The addition of Charlie Sexton was wonderful !!
Excellent concert - his new songs and classic hits were well received .. Plays with the energy of a musician half his age …
Elvis Costello usually has such a beautiful, authentic voice on Spotify, etc. But the only authenticity that he showcased in Saturday evening's performance was significant pitchiness. I'm not sure if it was faulty acoustics at the Jackie Gleason Theatre (Miami) or if it was Mr. Costello's end-of-the-tour fatigue. If you are one of his long-time fans, then you would've been happy just to see him on the stage. But since my partner and I attended solely for the musical experience, we ended up leaving early and disappointed.
Elvis performed all his hits plus deep cuts. Perfect night in a fabulous venue.
This concert was so much fun! Elvis is better than ever and the Imposters ROCK! Charlie Sexton is great! Loved hearing Elvis’ stories. Thanks for the silver playing card (Elvis tossed them into the crowd).
Elvis Costello was amazing! Played for 2 1/2 hours, shared some great stories. Venue was comfortable. Snack/bar area roomy and comfortable waiting. Easy, close parking.
