Glasgow concert!

laughingcrow · Post by **laughingcrow** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 7:12 pm

Wow...Glasgow show was excellent. Three standing ovations!!! The Man was on good form, had a little bit of good natured banter with some rowdy Weejies (''What happened to the Hampden roar?'' when people weren't joining in). Steve was amazing as usual.

The setlist as best I can remember, (except I can't remember the last song for some reason..duh)...

Accidents will happen
45
Rocking Horse Rd
Shot with his own gun
You left me in the dark
Someone took the words away
When did I stop dreaming?
You turned to me
Fallen
God's comic
Either side of the same town
Indoor fireworks
Man out of time
In the darkest place

Encore 1
Whats so funny bout PL&A
Shipbuilding
Sleep of the just
When it sings

Encore 2
Still
Can you be true?
Brilliant mistake
Still too soon to know (no mic)
Deep dark truthful mirror/You really got a hold on me

Encore 3
North
Good year for the roses
Sweet dreams
Almost blue
Let me tell you about her
Im in the mood again (no mic)
I still have that other girl (no mic)
MENTAL BLOCK FOR LAST SONG...!

?

It was a quality night all round! EC said at the end, he'd just stepped off a flight from Japan, but coming to Glasgow made it seem like ten minutes...went to thank the audience, some guy boomed ''We wanna thank you!''.

pointedears · Post by **pointedears** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 7:38 pm

Yeah what a night that was! They were amazing

(I can't remember the last song either!)

Watching_Detectives · Post by **Watching_Detectives** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 9:31 pm

Sounds like it was good stuff.

Gilbert · Post by **Gilbert** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 12:51 am

The final song was "Couldn't Call It Unexpected no 4" with no amplification. Great stuff as ever from Elvis - what a concert!

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 3:49 am

Laughing Crow missed one song - between Almost blue and Let me tell you about her Elvis did the Johnny Cash song I Still Miss Someone -
I`ll tell more later !

ReadyToHearTheWorst · Post by **ReadyToHearTheWorst** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 3:57 am

I need to know, what merchandise can you buy at the gig?

Second hand guitar? 'Costello' compass? Woolly jumper?

Opera House tonight

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 4:07 am

http://www.news.scotsman.com/index.cfm? ... DOCUMENT=2

Wed 8 Oct 2003

Elvis Costello

Fiona Shepherd

Elvis Costello ****
ROYAL CONCERT HALL, GLASGOW

ELVIS Costello’s last Scottish show was a jubilant
nostalgia trip for fans of his brittle post-punk
numbers, with the added attraction of The Attractions
to provide sharp backing. This time, he took the
stripped-down approach, with just his right-hand man,
"Professor" Steve Nieve, on piano and melodica, plus
occasional acoustic guitar strumming from Costello.

This was to be primarily a showcase of his reflective
new album, North, a gossamer collection of supper-club
ballads about the disorienting power of love, inspired
by his current partner, the jazz singer Diana Krall.

First, the dynamic duo limbered up with a fervent
Accidents Will Happen, some Van Morrison-esque Celtic
soul and emotionally incendiary playing from Nieve,
whose contribution was clearly as crucial to the soul
of this concert as Costello himself. The atmosphere
changed with a selection of tracks from North, on
which Costello’s voice took centre stage, plaintively
conveying the personal yet universal sentiments, while
Nieve offered lyrical, understated backing.

Everything about this performance was exquisitely
measured, from the stark lighting to the melancholy
but never indulgent tone.

With these songs, he has come close to tapping into
the timelessness of maestros such as Burt Bacharach, a
recent collaborator.

But there was far more to come in the course of three
juicy encores, which eventually took up more time than
the main set. To these ears, Costello has never
sounded better. Few vocalists can pull off the risky
gambit of straying from the microphone. When Costello
did, he filled the hall with his feeling, giving such
a racked performance on Shipbuilding that, at its
conclusion, it looked like it had really cost him
something.

The mood swung again. "If you’re in love, it’s time to
celebrate," he announced. While he sang about the
anatomy of a love affair, the crowd drank in the
fruits of another happy, long-term relationship - that
of these two expert players.

Having accompanied each other through an emotionally
open two hours, which was also not without dashes of
humour, they ended with a brisk manly handshake, as
though they felt bashful for having exposing
themselves so deeply.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There`s also a great review of in The Herald - but I can`t find it on their site
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 4:32 am

Elvis and Steve in Glasgow were just fantastic. With
just a brief wave they launched into a two and a
quarter hour , 32 song set . Here`s the setlist -I`ll
send on comments later

Ac. - Acoustic Guitar
P. - Piano
M. - Melodia ( correct name for small keyboard
thingy that Steve blew into while playing?)

1. Accidents will happen - E- Ac. , S- P
2. 45 - E-Ac., S-P,M
3. Rocking Horse Rd -E -Ac., S - P,M
4. Shot with his own gun - E.- voc only, S - P
5. You left me in the dark -E -voc, S- P
6. Someone took the words away - "
7. When did I stop dreaming? - "
8. You turned to me "
9. Fallen "
10.God's comic - E - Ac. , S -P
11.Either side of the same town "
12. Indoor fireworks "
13. Man out of time "
14. In the darkest place "

Encore 1
15.(Whats so funny about) PL&A -E-Ac., S - P,M
16.Shipbuilding E-Ac. , S- P
17.Sleep of the just - E-Ac., S- P,M
18.When it sings -E - Voc., S-P

Encore 2
19.Still- E-Ac., S -P
20.Can you be true? "
21.Brilliant mistake -E-Ac., S- P,M
22.Still too soon to know (no mic) E-Ac., S-P,M
23.Deep dark truthful mirror/You really got a hold on
me E-Ac.,S-P,M

Encore 3
24.North E-voc.,S-P
25.Good year for the roses ,E-Ac, S-P,M
26.Sweet dreams E-Ac., S-P
27.Almost blue -E-P(at end), S-P,M
28.I Still Miss Someone -E.-Voc., P
29.Let me tell you about her E-Voc. ,S-P
30.Im in the mood again (no mic), E, voc, S-P
31.I still have that other girl (no mic)
32. Couldn`t Call It Unexpected -(no mic) , E -Voc,
S-P

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 4:51 am

Random notes on Glasgow

Some scattered thoughts ( `till I have to dash for
my bus to the airport)

Someone with a sense of humour in the venue - Billy
Joel`s Piano Man playing on the Foyer/bar P.A. -
however Howard Tate`s Rediscovered was playing in the
auditorium before the show.

Elvis `n Steve looked tired at the start. Elvis a
bit croaky , not putting too much of a strain on his
voice at the start , constantly sipping drinks. In
away this croakiness added something to the initial
batch of `desolate` North songs.

Gods Comic has been totally rejuvenated . Stories
about Sex In The City , taking part in a Japanese Tv
programme about learning English ( the host , last
week , had learned from Beatle songs - alas mostly
from Michelle , joked Elvis).

Either Side../Indoor Fireworks played together
was just so perfect.

The stripped dowm PLU just about works , helped
by Elvis kicking in some great `Fuzz` pedal .

Great Roses/Sweet Dreams - Elvis joked about the
idiocy of launching `Almost Blue` to a die hard
Country crowd in the Metrople , Aberdeen in 1981.

Three songs from the end Elvis commented that
though he and Steve had flown in from Japan just the
previous day (Mon.6th) the Glasgow crowd had been so
good that it now only seemed like a 10 minute flight.

The `doo doo` bit in Couldn`t... drew minimal
crowd participation , making Elvis joke about the
absence of the `Hamden Roar` ( a football reference ,
I`m told).

North songs are just so strong live - I can`t
wait for a decent tape of it!

Must go ! John

Gilbert · Post by **Gilbert** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 6:42 am

I agree that the North songs sounded terrific and had the audience spellbound.

Funnily enough although I had heard the most recent incarnation of Almost Blue on a bootleg, I never realised that for Steve to play the Melodica thing, Elvis has to take over on piano in mid-song. I know it's kinda obvious, unless Steve had sprouted another pair of arms, but there you go.

A minor reservation for me was that they left the stage for the first time after just an hour. What was that all about? I knew full well that they would do another hour or so, but does it imply that if the audience hadn't kept clapping they wouldn't have done the second half of the show?

laughingcrow · Post by **laughingcrow** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 7:12 am

Aye that woz it...couldnt call it unexp. Doh. Forgot that other one too john, cheers...still pretty good just from memory eh?

He always does 3 encores doesn't he...isnt that just standard procedure? Every time I've seen him he has anyway.

EC was well croaky singing Still... i thought he was gonna stop, but he had a drink after and that sorted him.

Anyone see me? I was on the left hand side (close to Steve), front row, next to a big guy in a suit and a woman..I was one of, if not the youngest there at 22.

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 8:22 am

Gilbert - I don't know what it is about him but the main set seems to be about an hour or so and then an hour/hour and a half of encores. He's certainly done that since at least 1999 when he toured with Steve and even the Imposters shows in 2002 followed a similar format.

Gilbert · Post by **Gilbert** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 8:30 am

I've been to plenty of shows (31), but the sudden ending really took me by surprise after only an hour.

Maybe they should just have had a proper interval?

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 8:33 am

Gilbert - Maybe he'll soon be doing 5 half hour sections as a concert. He's always been innovative

PlaythingOrPet · Post by **PlaythingOrPet** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 9:22 am

Maybe he should have an interval. I bet all they're thinking about up on stage is the next opportunity for nice cup of tea and a sit down coming along. And a digestive if they're feeling rebellious.

I do not mean a word of that, by the way.

laughingcrow · Post by **laughingcrow** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 11:58 am

RTHTW.... there was about 5 t-shirts for sale, 16 quid each. I got a navy blue one with the design from the North disc on. There was another with the album cover, and a few more.
There were 2 types of mug, black and white, again with the weed design. I think they were 8 pounds.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 1:11 pm

I'm drooling. Great setlist. Haven't, for my sins, been following the setlists of late, but is this the first time in ages he's played Sleep of the Just live? I will now be heartbroken if he doesn't play it on Saturday. It's in my top 5 all time Elv faves. Was watching Veronica on Case For Song today, just to get in the mood.

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 1:11 pm

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/
(site for this `paper - I can`t find this review in
it ; I`ve transcibed this from the print edition)
-------------------------------------------------------
The Herald (Glasgow) Oct.8 `03

If the performance of Accidents Will Happen (from
way back in 1979 and a long-established Costello and
the Attractions set starter) was intended to reassure
fans it was both a tease and a truth , because it
immediately set the context for the bulk of the set-
renditions of tracks on North , the new disc of
beautifully-crafted love songs. If it is relatively
easy to map the trajectory that has brought EC the
songsmith to this point , by way of Almost Blue the
song , the Bordsky Quartet, and Burt Bacharach , it is
still almost a surprise how well he delivers.

The North songs are delivered in batches of five ,
three , and two. He omits only one , but includes the
title track , which , with characteristic perversity ,
is not on the album. Beautifully sung , they are
undoubtedly a departure , but listen hard and that
skilled kleptomania is still at work. When Did I Stop
Dreaming ? , for example , is a cunning obverse of the
Billie Holiday song Gloomy Sunday , which he covered
many moons ago , the lyrical parallel mirrored by a
reversal of the same major/minor musical trick on the
middle eight.

The evening held many such delights for the
attentive ear. A sequence of anti-war songs , just in
case we thought he`d gone soft , and the segue from
North (the song) into other terrains of country (from
the Nashville set of yore). The variety show also
encompassed the virtuosity of pianist Nieve on Man Out
Of Time and Sweet Dreams (and the best use of melodica
since Augustus Pablo) , some stand-up in God`s Comic ,
and enthusiastic community singing. The beloved
entertainer may be loved up , but so were we all.

Keith Bruce
(4/5 stars)

laughingcrow · Post by **laughingcrow** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 2:46 pm

He omits only one

Does Impatience not count then? Since it's a BONUS track...what's that supposed to mean, 'here's one for good luck'?

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 12:56 am

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/ ... 23,00.html

Elvis Costello

Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

James Stuart
Thursday October 9, 2003
The Guardian

Love has long been a recurring theme in Elvis Costello's recording career. It seems to have pounced on him with a vengeance. His latest album, North, is inspired by both his relationship to Canadian jazz singer Diana Krall and their shared taste in music. All of which means that if you don't like effusive, syrupy torch songs about losing love and finding it again, North may leave you feeling a little untouched.
It sounds a lot better live - which is fortunate, because Costello plays rather a lot of it. Indeed, he plays rather a lot of everything, plucking classics from his back catalogue, leaving the stage on four separate occasions and performing for almost two and a half hours. The angry young man who filled his pop with venom and spark seems long-departed. Tonight, darkly suited and slight against the Royal Concert Hall's stage, Costello croons with passion and style, conjuring intimacy with a flickering hand, sparking audience participation and backing off the mic to sing without amplification.

It's a minimal set-up, Costello on vocals and guitar while ex-Attraction Steve Nieve accompanies him on piano. But the arrangements are far from simple, the two musicians weaving fine lines around each other. It all means that new songs like You Left Me in the Dark and Still are poignant rather than cloying. There's nothing duller than an enthusiasm you can't share, and few things finer than finding that, actually, this romantic stuff can be pretty damn enchanting.

The older tracks are sharp indeed, Costello's guitar cutting through the applause as he rushes from song to song. Accidents Will Happen is trim and sprightly, God's Comic focused despite a detour into sumo wrestling and vegetables, and Shipbuilding falls into an awed silence.

Restraint is never too high on the priority list of the loved-up, and Costello does go on a little too long. Giving the fans their money's worth is one thing, but cramp will set in no matter how much fun you're having.

Indulgent it may be, but the unarguable high points of this pop veteran's set make physical discomfort a manageable problem. What's more important is that Costello has made a middle-aged man in young love look dignified and rather glorious.

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 5:53 pm

see a scan of my ticket for this at

http://www.elviscostello.info/pic/memor ... lasgow.jpg

laughingcrow · Post by **laughingcrow** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 5:59 pm

Aah John, you bought your ticket from the beautiful Leeanne. Mine was from boring old Karen.

Aah Leeanne, Leeanne, Leeanne...why did you turn down my marriage proposals and send back the roses? Why did you walk on by when I waited in the rain for you? Why did you pull your curtains when I serenaded you by moonlight? Why did you call the police when I rang your home every day and then hung up? Why did you bring out an injunction on me for stealing your undies from your clothes line?

Women....who understands them eh?!

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 6:25 pm

The ladies at the Concert Desk were , indeed , delightful when I picked up my ticket. However I`m puzzled to see her name on my ticket - a bloke handled my telephone booking .......

laughingcrow · Post by **laughingcrow** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 6:39 pm

Oh that must have been the 'other' Leeanne... the one with the beer belly and the five-o-clock shadow.

I never stalked him as intensely.

Gilbert · Post by **Gilbert** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 6:34 am

Here's the review from the Sunday Herald

Costello’s Northern exposure

Live rock: Elvis Costello - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
By Edd McCracken

Damn Hugh Grant. Not content with turning the British film industry into a bumbling, witless caricature, the fop has turned abrasive, confrontational Elvis Costello into a middle-aged, maudlin jazz singer. It all started with Costello’s She from the Hugh Grant vehicle Notting Hill, a song as lush and winsome as the film in which it featured. Instead of being an aberration, his new album North is full of tracks such as this – slow, smoky, worthy … dull.

Tonight’s show is a stripped-down affair, with only Costello and his pianist and occasional harmonium player, Steve Nieve, treading the boards. The new songs, “about falling in love in different ways”, form the axis upon which this gig very slowly revolves. Costello’s guitar remains untouched for large sections as he bellows tunes like You Left Me In The Dark and When Did I Stop Dreaming? into the darkness of the concert hall.

Technically, it’s very impressive. Every syllable is nuanced and pronounced (perhaps the influence of Costello’s fiancée, skilled jazz chanteuse Diana Krall), but an onslaught of cold minor chords scythes down any emotional connection. New songs Fallen and Still are exceptions to the rule, however. They are great examples of laid-back adult pop, about looking back uncertainly from middle age and falling in love again respectively.

When he does finally pick up the guitar there are sighs of relief as the gig shifts up a gear . The stripped-back style benefits his impressive back catalogue and by reinventing his songs through acoustic guitar and classical piano it exposes the melody and Costello’s voice like a seam of gold. Accidents Will Happen and a barn-storming Man Out Of Time are particularly enhanced, although Shipbuilding, a song suited to this minimalism, curiously falls flat. But Nieve’s frequent beautiful classical piano codas, which he somehow weaves into the New Wave hits, add something new to familiar songs.

The crowd are responsive. Costello commands an adoration and following matched only by papal leaders, and this audience are similarly reluctant to let him go. When he does leave, inevitably to a standing ovation, it’s after leading the crowd in a music hall singalong. It does however make you miss the caustic, dissonant Elvis even more. He looks happy.

But maybe he’s just growing old gracefully, not content just to play the angry man anymore . Still, damn Hugh Grant anyway.

12 October 2003