UCLA

Pretty self-explanatory
johnfoyle
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UCLA

Post by johnfoyle »

From: "nunki"
Subject: Re: UCLA
To: COSTELLO-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM




I was very happy to hear "Sleep of the Just," my all-time favorite EC
song, which I had never heard live before.

Other highlights for me: "You'll Never Walk Alone," "Home Truth," "No
Wonder," "Can You Be True," "The Scarlet Tide," and the gorgeous "Dark
End of the Street."

And let's not forget some of the old Costello & Nieve favorites which I
still love: "God's Comic," "Shot With His Own Gun," and "Inch By
Inch/Fever." And there was even a memorable "Pump It Up" thanks to
problems with EC's guitar.

Lowlight: The moron who waited until the very, very end of "Fallen,"
when the theater was totally silent, and screamed "Radio, Radio."
Elvis' response: "It's amazing. We had to come all the way to Los
Angeles to find as big an arsehole as you."

Diane Keaton was in the audience. She and EC must have met at the
Oscars (or the nominees' luncheon).
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Post by johnfoyle »

nunki writes to costello-l listserv.-

Subject: UCLA approximate set list


Hopefully someone will post a definitive version before long, but for
now here's an approximation of last night's set list, based on my
unreliable memory:

45
Green Shirt
Brilliant Mistake
Shot With His Own Gun
This House Is Empty Now
You Left Me In The Dark
Someone Took The Words Away
Home Truth
No Wonder
Indoor Fireworks
You Turned To Me
Fallen
God's Comic
Sleep Of The Just
Shipbuilding
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding

ENCORES:
Either Side Of The Same Town
When It Sings
Still
Can You Be True
God Give Me Strength
Inch By Inch/Fever
You'll Never Walk Alone
Almost Blue
I'm In The Mood Again
The Scarlet Tide
Pump It Up
Radio, Radio
Dark End Of The Street

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



Steve comments

>
> From: nunki
>
>
> 45

The only tune from WIWC. I was happy :-)

> Green Shirt

Excellent pianoing by Mr. Nieve. He played
great throughout and.... no theremin!!!

> Brilliant Mistake

The three songs from KoA sounded rushed to
me.

> Shot With His Own Gun
> This House Is Empty Now

Got a great reception from the audience!

> You Left Me In The Dark
> Someone Took The Words Away
> Home Truth
> No Wonder

This sounded great!!

> Indoor Fireworks
> You Turned To Me
> Fallen

As nunki mentioned this was where the heckler
yelled out "Radio Radio", just as the last piano
chord of "Fallen" was fading. EC had his hand
raised and the audience was in rapt silence.
After the guy screamed "Radio Radio" there was
scattered and nervous laughter. How would EC
respond? He paused before saying something
like "we had to come all the way to California
before finding an arsehole like you". I believe
he did say "arsehole" and not "asshole". He
said some more stuff and finally told the guy
that he knew where the door was if he didn't
like it (the music).

What was funny though was that Elvis didn't
seem all that pissed off and it turned it
into a running gag...

> God's Comic

After he sang "the crowd would hoot and
holler for more", he yelled out "Radio
Radio". Then he'd count 1 2 3 and the
audience started yelling "Radio Radio".
And as you can see in nunki's setlist, he
finally did play "Radio Radio" after "Pump
It Up". This is negative reenforcement!
If any of you folks want him to play "Poor
Napoleon" or whatever, just yell out the
title at the end of "Fallen".

> Sleep Of The Just
> Shipbuilding
> (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding
>
> ENCORES:
> Either Side Of The Same Town
> When It Sings
> Still

Best version of this song I've heard.
It was very fast but his vocal was
very gentle. His singing throughout
the show was quite aggressive and his
voice was cracking a lot early on but
got progressively stronger.

> Can You Be True

This was nicely done but the audience
didn't seem to be into it, it seemed
to me. There was a lot of random
coughing and such.

> God Give Me Strength
> Inch By Inch/Fever
> You'll Never Walk Alone

Whoah!! This one was awesome though
I'm sorry he didn't sing the second
verse.

> Almost Blue

His guitar playing was actually good
on AB!

> I'm In The Mood Again

He said this would be his last song.
I'm glad he was lying.

> The Scarlet Tide

A couple of very funny asides before
he did this song that certain listers
would love. But I don't wanna spoil
the party

> Pump It Up
> Radio, Radio

Told ya!

> Dark End Of The Street


I went to the Baked Potato afterwards to
see Jack Shit. EC didn't show but they're
a fun band anyway. Pete and Davey are a
great rhythm section and Val's a terrific
guitarist. Pete got up and played lead
guitar on one tune and he was surprisingly
good! It's a neat little venue too. I was
only a couple of feet from the stage.

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


Misha - where are you?!?

The world awaits your report - or have Jackshit kidnapped you and have you making pancakes or something?
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Post by martinfoyle »

http://listserv.aol.com/cgi-bin/wa?A2=i ... et&P=15387


Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve
Royce Hall, University of California, Los Angeles
Wednesday, 3rd March 2004

Setlist:

01 45
02 Green Shirt
03 Brilliant Mistake
04 Shot with His Own Gun
05 This House Is Empty Now
06 You Left Me in the Dark
07 Someone Took the Words Away
08 Home Truth
09 Indoor Fireworks
10 No Wonder
11 You Turned to Me
12 Fallen
13 God's Comic
14 Sleep of the Just
15 Shipbuilding
16 (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?

ENCORE ONE
17 Either Side of the Same Town
18 When It Sings
19 Still
20 Can You Be True?
21 God Give Me Strength

ENCORE TWO
22 Inch by Inch/Fever
23 Almost Blue
24 I'm in the Mood Again

ENCORE THREE
25 The Scarlet Tide
26 You'll Never Walk Alone
27 Pump It Up
28 Radio Radio
29 The Dark End of the Street
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Post by martinfoyle »

http://www.livedaily.com/news/printable.html?id=6197
- Live Review: Elvis Costello at UCLA's Royce Hall, Los Angeles, CA

by Gabriel Sheffer
liveDaily Contributor


March 04, 2004 01:02 PM - Wearing a black suit and a shiny blue tie, Elvis Costello turned UCLA's Royce Hall, normally used for the university's graduation ceremonies, into a Greenwich Village piano bar on Wednesday night (3/3)--minus the bar and clinging glasses.

The set list spanned Costello's 27-year career and included several songs off his newest LP, "North." Together, he and pianist Steve Neive finessed every number--from "Pump it Up" to newer material--into fertile ground for the evening's two-man format.
His sunburst acoustic Gibson guitar slung over his shoulder, Costello started the two-hour performance by launching into the opening chords of "45," the lead track off 2002's "When I was Cruel." An early, emotional highlight was "This House is Empty Now," about the final stages of a divorce. As Neive offered the song's last solemn measures, Costello stepped away from the microphone stand and continued singing, his voice booming through the hall. Like a lost divorcee inspecting his old home for the last time, he sang mournfully, "This house is empty now/There's nothing I can do." It was damn near operatic.

Costello's vibrato, probably his most underrated skill, punctuated several songs, especially "You Left Me in the Dark." The next tune, "Indoor Fireworks," easily described the scene inside Royce Hall, despite that there were only two musicians onstage and that it's yet another of his turbulent relationship songs.

Introducing "Fallen," off his new album, Costello announced, "Like most of the songs tonight, this one is about a change of heart, a change of season." And like all the music on "North," "Fallen" is a quiet, introspective piece. But as its final notes rang out, a delinquent fan in the balcony yelled out, "Radio Radio!" Tension filled the air until Costello, showing signs that the angry man of his youth remains, looked up in the man's direction and rebuked, "Amazing--I had to come all the way to Los Angeles to find an asshole like you." The audience promptly gave the singer his loudest applause of the evening.

While it was surely a jarring moment, Costello's response--and the audience's palpable affection--loosened him up. Before he finally exited stage right, Costello would mock the Bush Administration, Mel Gibson, Hobbits, and Phil Collins. Clearly, Costello is a crack-up of the highest order, and the Westwood crowd loved every word.

With the lyrics, "And now you say that you've got to go/Well if you must you must," from "Sleep of the Just," the performance seemed to be winding down--but it was just a ploy. Costello rounded out the set with "Shipbuilding," perfect with its spare piano and torch-song vocals; and "Peace, Love, and Understanding," which concluded with Costello stomping on a distortion pedal. Letting the final chords blare through the house P.A., he and Neive earned themselves a well-deserved standing ovation.

But the night was far from over.

As he would several times, Costello returned to the stage after he seemed to be finished for the night. (This guy would not go away--and that was a very, very good thing.) He played "Either Side of Town," another break-up song, and "When It Sings" and "Still," both off the new album. Possibly, many thought, he was closing with "God Give Me Strength," a song he composed with Burt Bacharach. Afterwards, Neive and Costello left the stage once more to thunderous applause and another standing ovation.

But again they came back for more, offering up "Inch by Inch" and "Almost Blue," during which Costello jumped over to the piano. The new album's most upbeat and positive song, "I'm in the Mood Again," was next. Then Costello was back at the microphone, ukulele in hand, for his and Alison Krauss' Oscar-nominated hymn "The Scarlet Tide," which he deemed an "anti-fear" song.

The miraculous show closed with awesome versions of "Pump it Up," the audience taking part in the chorus, and, of course, "Radio Radio." "Don't get mad at him," Costello told his fans, referring to the foolish concert-goer. "He's probably just drunk." And still Costello picked up his guitar to (finally) close with Percy Sledge's "Dark End of the Street." With the fans singing, "You and me," the intimate night ended in a perfect union of performer and audience ... just the way that guy in the balcony had hoped it would.
selfmademug

Post by selfmademug »

Foyle bookends... :lol:
Misha
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I'm finally here!!

Post by Misha »

Ok...I'm here to report in!!

Concert was as everyone stated. Waited with a bunch of folks before the show to see if we could see them for the soundcheck.

We did. Steve was very nice and so was EC.

Terrifying moment of the day....EC driving his own car....all by himself!! Almost jumped into the bushes behind the wall just to be safe!!!

Was kind of cool,,,,black nice Budget rent a car. Blaring some sort of bluesy--jazz number.

Attire: Black jeans, some kind of white gauzy shirt with little black sewn on rectangle kind of things...kinda like polka dots, but rectangular!! Some sort of black jacket. I thought I saw a necklace thing...black...but might have just been seeing things, as it occurred to me that he is downright sexy standing right next to you in person...who knew? :shock: :D :wink: He looked sexy...that sums it up. Didn't expect that.....I just expected him to be Elvis.....not a man!!! Ok, enough of that.

Drove up in the black car....uke and garment bag in the trunk...Paddy unloaded....what a guy!!!

(Side note...told Paddy about contest to take photo with Elvis without him in the background....got a huge laugh...he says it's in his contract...background of all photos) :D LOL!!!

We asked EC if he was going to the Potato...he says no, early flight to Vancouver...no playing at the Potato.

Ok, we get autographs, they go in and do soundcheck....we wait.....some more.

Davey and Pete drive up...Davey driving, Pete passengering (not legally a word..go to hell). They call us traitors, want to know what we are doing there, we tell them that they are the ones that shouldn't be there, they have a gig in a couple of hours.......They ask if we are going to the Potato...we say yeah, stretch the set as long as they can...they are good with that. We tell the boys that EC is not going to be at the potato...early flight...they say they are going to see what they can do about that.

We asked Paddy.....EC not leaving until after the show. Everyone goes seperate ways and forages for food....

The concert...as stated in other posts....won't dredge on here...except...

Radio Radio bonehead was escorted from the building. Nobody mentioned that. Some of the Irish Black Shirt Goon Squad came over and helped him find his way out....EC was singing the next song...and I heard some minor clapping, turned back to see dork with small penis being shown the door....he was yelling something, but no one could even hear him as EC was singing......pity he had to leave so early. My thoughts on this are that EC sang Radio Radio, only because he knew the guy was ousted....at the end....where everyone could leave talking about it....so that way when dorkuses friends came out they could tell him how he missed it. Elvis is evil and I like it!!!

EC took it far better than I would have....I heard asshole....not arsehole. He's turning Canadian folks!! No R in asshole!!

There was the great "flick the pick under the piano like a booger" trick that he did, and then he bit part of a fingernail off...so I assume it was the same tragic fingernail is the actual problem not the pick incident that guitar players have.

He tried to get a woman in the front row to jump up on stage, was even extending his arms to pull her up...she had been dancing...and was blonde and cute, and thin...and she was having none of it....I don't think EC realizes how high that stage is when you are in a skirt!! Also....how is it possible that he picks the one girl in all of Los Angeles not trying to get more attention?!!!! He would have needed Stan's help anyway.

The great Elvis Presley guitar.....is sick. It needs a doctor. I'm thinking it was the female receptacle for the patch cord that was sick. Stan took it with him...I think that is one Stan took....Stan spent quite a bit of pre song and song time fiddling with it....finally Elvis passed it off to him in Pump It Up...looked like EC thought Stan would just fix it there....Stan thought differently and walked off stage with it....EC took a hint and grabbed his other guitar to finish with it......did ya'll know that Pump It Up now has this really long clapping part in the middle? It does....be ready....do those clapping exercises. Had a feeling he's thinkin of killing Stan again....see posts from Neil Young opening concert on where I think the body will end up. Poor Stan. I thought EC did a great job of winging it...and then Steve just ran with it...Pump it Up included this great piano bashing section...I don't remember hearing that before...comes right after the new clapping interlude... :wink:

Ok, my roommate...who is the coolest...got me a set list. Which is wacked....here is what it says for those interested:

It is WRONG!!! Not the definitive setlist:

45
GREENSHIRT/BRILLIANT MISTAKE
SUIT OF LIGHTS/LITTLE TRIGGERS
SHOT WITH HIS OWN GUN
THIS HOUSE IS EMPTY NOW

YOU LEFT ME IN THE DARK
SOMEONE TOOK THE WORDS AWAY
HOME TRUTH
TOLEDO/NO WONDER/TART
CAN YOU BE TRUE?
YOU TURNED TO ME
FALLEN

GOD'S COMIC/THIS IS HELL
ALL THE RAGE/SLEEP OF THE JUST
SHIPBUILDING
PEACE LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING
------------------------------------
EITHER SIDE OF THE SAME TOWN
MAN OUT OF TIME
WHEN IT SINGS
STILL
GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH/DEEP DARK TRUTHFUL MIRROR

INCH BY INCH/ALMOST BLUE
I'M IN THE MOOD AGAIN
THE SCARLET TIDE/Y.N.W.A

This is exactly as it's typed.....exactly.

Roommate also scored said pick under piano for some really young girls that wanted it.....momentary disappointment for myself...years of happiness and possible corruption of little girls. Roommate is the hero.

Went around back...waited...with lots more people.....Steve came out...signed setlist...was nice, but beseiged by lots of people....made the minders fussy.

EC came out in full North promo clothes. Pea coat, previous white with black tiny triangles shirt, and knitted cap. Suit jacket and tie abandoned. He signed and looked tired....bushed....he kept asking...Are you done with me then? Are you done now? I got the impression he was sick of us for the night...but was still being cool.

Steve and wife drove off....we left...EC was climbing in his...I guess...when I left.

We headed to the Tato.....found all the construction in the world between us and it. Finally got there, found Bobster, SLO and a few others there already having fun with the Shitsters.

My new pet peeve.....and sorry to anyone affected....when Jackshit asks for requests...they are not asking to hear the Elvis Costello catalogue thrown at them. They get to play that stuff enough. Do not request these songs....makes you look like an idiot. AND, they don't play them. Jackshit was fun...but wished I had been there all night.

Pete came up to roommate and I right after set, wanted to know how we liked the show...told him about Radio radio dork. Pete thought it was funny...glad to see we trekked out....very nice. Talked to Davey, also...who is always nice, too....so that makes all of EC and Imposters in one night...all nice....WWOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!

Ok, so I get down to brass tacks....I asked if they had recorded the new EC and Imposters album....answer was no...not yet. Asked if they had even started...no, not yet. But, are touring in the fall. I said what are you going to tour then? Big smile. These guys go to CIA spy school on their answers!!!

Talked to Val of Jackshit....they have 7 songs ready for a new album, have recorded 15 (Jackshit album)....need to record more, but "commitments to the studio with their other band...." have put stuff on the back burner. We all know what this means, don't we?

Some guy shouted at Steve while he was leaving UCLA...."Hows the new Imposters album sound, Steve?" the answer was something like...I don't know we haven't recorded it yet.....I remember haven't fuckin recorded it yet....but that's in my world, where Steve gets tough with people....I just know he was miffed by the way the guy asked.

Ok, longest post in the history of the world is now over.

Hope it was interesting, if not......move along...

Will pump for Ireland tour info in SF or SR...I'm thinkin of you Foyle's!!!

Misha---who will now go soak her hands to alleviate the swelling from so much typing....

Oh, for the record....Steve (slo) is the nicest guy.....next time, I'm talking to him more..... :wink: :D :shock:
Where are the strong?

Who are the trusted?
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Post by BlueChair »

Man, next thing you know Misha, you're going to be hanging out with Pete and Davey socially!
This morning you've got time for a hot, home-cooked breakfast! Delicious and piping hot in only 3 microwave minutes.
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Post by Misha »

Blue...

Candle party...next week...

LOL!!!! Just a joke!!!!

I have no illusions we will be friends....just enjoying the fun while it's here..and it won't last long....I better have some fun before it moves along....

:D :D :D
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Post by martinfoyle »

I was beginning to think those Jackshit boys had enslaved our Misha and we'd never hear from her again. Great report, many thanks.
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Post by Misha »

mmmmm, enslavement......mmmm....

Wait...three married men??!!! Enslaved my three married men???!!! :shock: :shock:

Count me out!!!!

:wink: :wink:
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Post by Misha »

Oh, also saw the guy from Sex and the City....willie somethin.

And someone next to me pointed out Christopher Guest.

:)
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Post by BlueChair »

Christopher Guest.. that's awesome.


Image
This morning you've got time for a hot, home-cooked breakfast! Delicious and piping hot in only 3 microwave minutes.
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Post by Misha »

Yep, looked exactly like him.....sans uke/guitar..thing...
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Post by bobster »

Couple of things to add --

Right after the dread incident, EC and Steve launched into a perhaps somewhat more spirited than usual rendition of God's Comic (previously scheduled after "Fallen" or somewhat rearranged to lighten the mood at that moment?). Anyhow, it sounded to me like the "Radio, Radio" reprobate was yelling "Now, you're dead; now you're dead" as he was being hustled off during the chorus. Probably just a convenient quote and maybe the guy's simple opinion about what he clearly feels is EC's insufficent-rocking. At the time, I wasn't bothered about this but, as I write this, I sincerely hope EC's got good security working for him.

I really hope he was drunk or stoned on something. Hate to think someone would act that way stone-cold sober. I also REALLY hope he wasn't a UCLA student. (Bruin pride wouldn't stand for that.)

I've got to say I was really impressed with the way EC, who's really become a great old pro, has handled the situation. I think he quickly realized that the audience was more angry than he was and he gave everyone an opportunity to laugh it off. I'm sure he's encountered this kind of thing before. (In fact, that "asshole" or "arsehole" line -- I've rarely been able to hear the difference when said with an English accent, myself -- gave me a strong feeling of deja vu. I think I might have read that he's used that line before with hecklers.)

I also thought that, this is sort of an occupational rock musicians face that people in other artistic fields rarely face. No one ever goes to see "King Lear" and then gets up after a sylloquy and yells "Titus Andronicus!"

And, yes, Jackshit rule. They are, in fact, the shit. (Though I've never figured out why that is a compliement.)
http://www.forwardtoyesterday.com -- Where "hopelessly dated" is a compliment!
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Post by Misha »

You heard it here first....Jackshit are the shit as Bobster would say....


Would I steer you wrong?

Never....

Unless there was money involved...and then, oh, yeah!!!
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Post by Misha »

FYI all,,,,I posted some photos.....

Don't worry, Fran is still keeping her day job.....

Roommate at the helm....
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Post by senior_service »

Misha,
Were you sitting in Row FF???
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Post by Misha »

uh, yeaaah...

Why, did I do something bad???

Cause if so...no, it was someone else that looked just like me....

????? :?: :?: :?: :?:
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Post by verbal gymnastics »

Misha/Bobster - great reports and very enjoyable reading.

Misha - glad you decided to accept the mission :wink:

What next then Mish - Jackshit featuring special guest Misha? :lol:
Who’s this kid with his mumbo jumbo?
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Post by johnfoyle »

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtm ... ction=news

Elvis Costello (Wed.
By Darryl Morden

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Elvis Costello is a happy man of late, married to jazz artist Diana Krall, settled in for contentment.

But that doesn't mean he doesn't toss out barbs to well-deserving targets on the outside. He's just not the angry young man of his early days, now finding balance as a craftsman composer, sometimes caustic singer-songwriter and also as a romantic crooner working in the style of old standards.

Wednesday's rich performance at UCLA's Royce Hall was a night of those many Costellos, accompanied by Steve Nieve on piano, a longtime musical associate in the Attractions and on many recordings. The one-time artist-in-residence a few years ago joked about how great it was to be back on campus and see old students.

Costello's always been a romantic at heart ("Alison," anyone?), but it's perhaps never been more evident than on his current album, 2003's "North," a collection of torch songs of love, unrequited and fulfilled. Such numbers as "You Left Me in the Dark" and "Someone Took the Words Away" find him stretching the range of his voice with jazzy-inflected nuances.

The newest material, so sparse and somewhat dry, though with emotions laid bare, was contrasted by various selections spanning more than 25 years as he played acoustic guitar for songs that included the biting "Green Shirt," irony-loaded "Shot With His Own Gun" and evocative "Sleep of the Just."

Nieve shifted with ease from lyrical piano as a second voice to gentle simpatico accompaniment to cabaret melodrama and cartoon soundtrack swipes at the keys. Despite the marked contrast in the songs form "North" and Costello's crafted off-center pop, the two complemented each other.

The audience was hushed for even the quietest numbers, though during the final, decaying coda of the lovely "Fallen," an autumn-inspired ballad of love renewed, a boorish fan broke the silence by shouting "Radio, Radio" -- his idea of a request for a favorite song. A minute later, Costello fired back, "We had to come all the way to Los Angeles to find as big an asshole as you."

During the afterlife musings of the Brechtian "God's Comic," it was monologue time as Costello took aim at supposed weapons of mass destruction, Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush, and also linked contemporary country music oafs and evolution. A one-two political punch without any commentary came with "Shipbuilding" followed by the rallying "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" -- written by Nick Lowe, not Costello -- played with full anthem fervor, even if just on acoustic guitar with piano.

A generous lengthy series of encores included the evocative "Still" and edgy plea of "God Give Me Strength." A lively and loose "Pump It Up" was a sure crowd-pleaser despite a technical gaffe with a Gibson electric guitar, with a capper in a stirring version of James Carr's soul classic "Dark End of the Street."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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Post by johnfoyle »

Los Angeles Times review

March 5, 2004

POP MUSIC REVIEW
Mellow Costello: An angry youth matures

By Natalie Nichols, Special to The Times

"Radio Radio" was an apt choice from Elvis Costello at UCLA's Royce
Hall on Wednesday, given the escalating war over what's appropriate for
the public airwaves and the veteran singer-songwriter's deep political
streak. Performed during an extended encore segment, it also was a rare
upbeat break in a two-hour set heavy on mournful romantic ballads.

But earlier, an overzealous fan in the balcony screamed his request for
that 1978 tune at the worst moment possible: just as Costello was
ending a particularly emotional number with a nuanced vocal flourish.
The near-capacity crowd started from its collective reverie, while the
artist upbraided the interloper with an invitation to leave. The
audience cheered, and Costello then led a chant to mock-request "Radio
Radio."

His righteous irritation and vengeful overkill reminded listeners that,
despite the concert's mellow vibe, Costello, 49, hasn't shed the
trappings of his angry youth so much as adapted them to more mature
purposes.

Yet he was congenial between songs. Playing mostly acoustic guitar and
expertly abetted by his longtime keyboardist, Steve Nieve, he offered
mopey selections from his current album, "North," along with older
torchy material such as "Almost Blue" and the stirring protest
spiritual "Scarlet Tide," his Oscar-nominated song from "Cold
Mountain."

Costello's understated theatricality sold even the slighter new tunes,
and his recurring off-the-mike singing highlighted his considerable
vocal control during a 55-minute set followed by an hour's worth of
encore after encore.

This made for wonky pacing but allowed him to hit different subtle
musical notes. Still, it was ironic that the man who at one point
jokingly dissed hobbits ended up giving us a show with more endings
than "The Return of the King."
johnfoyle
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Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2003 4:37 pm
Location: Dublin , Ireland

Post by johnfoyle »

http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site ... r_Side.htm

The LookOut music

Costello Exhibits His Softer Side, Despite Interruptions, at Royce Hall

By Tomm Carroll
Music Critic

March 9 -- “I had to come all the way to Los Angeles to meet an arse---- like you,” retorted Elvis Costello to an ill-timed shout-out for “Radio Radio,” yelled by a boorish fan over the final, delicate strains of the touching ballad “Fallen.”

Costello did not let the request ruin his otherwise exceptional two-hour show at UCLA’s Royce Hall last Wednesday night; in fact, he mimicked and joked about the interruption throughout the remainder of the evening.

The former angry young man proved he is still capable of snarling back when the occasion demands, but tonight he was here chiefly to perform songs from his classical/jazz album, North (Deutsche Grammophon) and other “exceedingly quiet” fare from his vast repertoire. Which is not to say that he neglected his rowdier hits; like most Costello shows in recent years, there is always something in the set list for everyone.

The evening became Elvis-eclectic from the get-go: “45,” “Green Shirt,” “Brilliant Mistake,” “Shot with His Own Gun” and the Burt Bacharach-co-written “This House Is Empty Now” before he and longtime keyboard accomplice Steve Nieve even broached the North material, with the piano-based first two tracks from the CD, “You Left Me in the Dark” and “Someone Took the Words Away.”

Immediately apparent was the fact that the North songs, many of which sound a little precious and even self-important with their semi-orchestrations on disc, come across as more direct and heartfelt in the evening’s two-man show. Live, they also make wonderful use of Costello’s excellent-and-only-getting-better voice.

While last March’s first-of-two nights at Royce with his full band the Imposters was one of Costello’s best appearances in years, it is, however, the duo format with Nieve that proves the most versatile live setting for elucidating his songbook.

After trying out the Elvis-and-Steve bit at London’s Royal Festival Hall during his guest curator gig back in 1995, Costello decided to debut the songs from 1996’s All This Useless Beauty in the same setting on a brief U.S. promo visit, before bringing his band the Attractions over for a full-fledged tour later that year.

The latter shows may have marked the end of the Attractions (basically erstwhile bassist Bruce Thomas), but it was the former, stripped-down performances that proved the more memorable.

The superb acoustics of Royce allowed the nuances of Costello’s voice and guitars, as well as Nieve’s piano and melodica, to be heard clearly and distinctly. One of the highlights was Costello’s solo ukelele (!) version of “The Scarlet Tide” (for which he and T-Bone Burnett were nominated for an Oscar only days before), which he introduced as “not an anti-war but an anti-fear song.”

As for his well-known pacifistic sentiments, Costello expressed them in a pair of back-to-back numbers: “Shipbuilding” and Nick Lowe’s “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding.”

And, of course, before the final bow, there was a brief blast of the 1978-era anthems “Pump It Up” and (surprise!) “Radio Radio.” I guess even onetime angry young men don’t always hold grudges.

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WhipsnSpurs
Posts: 36
Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 2:57 pm
Location: Santa Maria, CA

Post by WhipsnSpurs »

Wow, I just found this forum...I went to the UCLA concert - my first EC concert, I'll admit. One reason I went was because I knew Royce Hall's acoustics were outstanding and the courtesy of the crowd during the softer numbers was nothing short of astounding. Well, except the Radio Radio guy, of course! LOL. I dug the sing alongs (planned or not - I wish the guitar had worked on Pump it Up) and I think my favorite was the snapping accompanyment to "Fever"! Fun.

Went also to the SF concert where the crowd was definitely not as courteous. Both sets were great and it is always a pleasure to listen to EC sing, but he sounded a little tired in the voice in SF. SN was fantastic though! What a player. Plus, I was disappointed in the acoustics at the Warfield. I expected it to be much better.

Anyway, glad to see so many dedicated fans here, and now I can't wait for my next concert opportunity!
snakeoilck
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:09 pm
Location: Ventura, CA
Contact:

Yet another review of the 3.3.04 UCLA show with Steve

Post by snakeoilck »

Greetings, all. I just found this forum. I know this thread is already up to its heavy-framed black glasses in reviews of the UCLA show from two weeks ago, but I will share mine here anyway. I hesitated initially to include the bit about the heckler calling for "Radio Radio" during "Fallen," thinking it better to focus on the music. Now I see that nearly all the crtics whose reviews were posted here used the heckler for their lead. Oh, well. I'm surprised the guy was actually escorted out. Not that I feel bad for him or anything, but if being a jerk at a concert is a crime . . .

With that one notable exception, the four Elvis performances I've seen at UCLA in the last couple of years have been notable for the excellent audiences. Demonstrative and ethusiastic, and yet capable of actually shutting up long enough to let the man sing. Not difficult, and yet so rare among concert audiences. I also saw Elvis play Wolf Trap outside of Washington, D.C. in both the summers of 2002 and '03, and the crowds there were, on both occasions, completely dead. Elvis was visibly and audibly angered by their lack of response, and both shows were unusually short because of it. Seeing these two shows made me appreciate the UCLA audience all the more.

Here's a link to my review. If you're Matt Groening, please don't sue me.

http://homepage.mac.com/ctklimek/iblog/
bobster
Posts: 2160
Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2003 12:29 am
Location: North Hollywood, CA

Post by bobster »

I think they kind of had to. Hard to put my finger on why I'm so sure, but I have a feeling that kind would have kept at it if he'd stayed. Could have really put a crimp in things.
http://www.forwardtoyesterday.com -- Where "hopelessly dated" is a compliment!
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