Elvis Was in the Building
Elvis Costello at the 9:30 Club, May 18
Elvis Costello rocked out for more than two hours at the 9:30 Club on Friday night, performing 30+ songs that spanned his nearly three-decade career. Dressed in a dark suit, sunglasses, and glittery shoes, he kept the show almost continuously up tempo and fresh, gratifying the sold-out crowd.
Costello seemed to be “a man out of time” during the first half-hour, almost sounding rushed, with songs running into each other. It wasn’t until more than halfway through the first set that he took a breath and said his welcome to the crowd. But, looking back on it, he was nobly trying to cram into his show as many fantastic songs as he could, and it was bloody amazing.
Costello, with his trio of Imposters, performed a healthy helping of oldies and rarities, as well as some of his greatest hits and best-loved songs such as “Pump It Up” and “Watching the Detectives.” He also performed a stunning solo acoustic version of “Alison” that showed off his enduring voice.
His long-time keyboardist Steve Nieve never stopped giving 200% but did step aside for a few songs toward the end when New Orleans singer/songwriter/keyboardist Allen Toussaint surprised the crowd with an appearance. The arrangements sounded great despite the absence of a horn section which accompanied their recent tour together in support of the album, River in Reverse.
Costello ended with “Peace, Love, and Understanding” and, inspired in DC to make a political statement, had the crowd chanting “bring our boys home” as he exited the stage.
SET LIST
Set 1
Welcome To The Working Week
Shabby Doll
The Beat
Lovers Walk
Secondary Modern
Strict Time
Brilliant Mistake
Country Darkness
Temptation
Clubland
Beyond Belief
Kinder Murder
Alibi
Watching The Detectives
American Gangster Time
Lipstick Vogue
Riot Act
Set 2
I Hope You’re Happy Now
No Action
You Belong To Me
Waiting For The End Of The World
High Fidelity
Uncomplicated
Radio Radio
The Imposter
Alison (solo)
Sleep Of The Just
First Encore
River In Reverse (w/Allen Toussaint on keys)
Monkey To Man (w/ A.T.)
Yes I Can Can (a Toussaint song, w/ A.T.)
Second Encore
Hey Bulldog (Beatles cover)
Pump It Up
(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding
Elvis Costello rocked out for more than two hours at the 9:30 Club on Friday night, performing 30+ songs that spanned his nearly three-decade career. Dressed in a dark suit, sunglasses, and glittery shoes, he kept the show almost continuously up tempo and fresh, gratifying the sold-out crowd.
Costello seemed to be “a man out of time” during the first half-hour, almost sounding rushed, with songs running into each other. It wasn’t until more than halfway through the first set that he took a breath and said his welcome to the crowd. But, looking back on it, he was nobly trying to cram into his show as many fantastic songs as he could, and it was bloody amazing.
Costello, with his trio of Imposters, performed a healthy helping of oldies and rarities, as well as some of his greatest hits and best-loved songs such as “Pump It Up” and “Watching the Detectives.” He also performed a stunning solo acoustic version of “Alison” that showed off his enduring voice.
His long-time keyboardist Steve Nieve never stopped giving 200% but did step aside for a few songs toward the end when New Orleans singer/songwriter/keyboardist Allen Toussaint surprised the crowd with an appearance. The arrangements sounded great despite the absence of a horn section which accompanied their recent tour together in support of the album, River in Reverse.
Costello ended with “Peace, Love, and Understanding” and, inspired in DC to make a political statement, had the crowd chanting “bring our boys home” as he exited the stage.
SET LIST
Set 1
Welcome To The Working Week
Shabby Doll
The Beat
Lovers Walk
Secondary Modern
Strict Time
Brilliant Mistake
Country Darkness
Temptation
Clubland
Beyond Belief
Kinder Murder
Alibi
Watching The Detectives
American Gangster Time
Lipstick Vogue
Riot Act
Set 2
I Hope You’re Happy Now
No Action
You Belong To Me
Waiting For The End Of The World
High Fidelity
Uncomplicated
Radio Radio
The Imposter
Alison (solo)
Sleep Of The Just
First Encore
River In Reverse (w/Allen Toussaint on keys)
Monkey To Man (w/ A.T.)
Yes I Can Can (a Toussaint song, w/ A.T.)
Second Encore
Hey Bulldog (Beatles cover)
Pump It Up
(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding
posted by Dana @ 1:07 PM
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