River in Reverse discussion

Post by **BlueChair** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:09 am

Now that I've sat with this record for a week, I can easily say it falls between the 4 and 5 star territory. I think I like it better than both When I Was Cruel and The Delivery Man.

Post by **spooky girlfriend** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:24 am

I too am listening to this, although I won't say how. I am still selecting my favorite tracks but I love the overall sound. I am pleased to hear how much you are enjoying it, Blue.

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:19 am

Between 4 & 5 is about right. It does sound great, my only reservation is that it's a bit too long. 45 minutes would have been about right, though I cant say which tracks I'd drop. Whatever, you are all in for a treat when it becomes generally availble.

so lacklustre · Post by **so lacklustre** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:40 am

He does tend to be unable to edit his albums down to a reasonable length recently. How long is it?

Post by **BlueChair** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:44 am

not that long.. like 56 minutes or something

sweetest punch · Post by **sweetest punch** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:00 pm

(from listserv)

A video of the song 'The River In Reverse' from New Orleans Jazz Fest:
http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=53250 ... e8&f=jazzf

A video of the song 'International Echo' from the Tribeca Film Festival:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_q1ywzl ... 20costello

And No Coffee Table · Post by **And No Coffee Table** » Wed May 10, 2006 5:16 pm

It's 52:56. I don't think it feels too long at all.

That said, I do think one song (and only one) misses the mark, so if I had to drop one, I know which it would be.

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Wed May 10, 2006 5:49 pm

I suppose it's not too long compared with WIWC. It just doesn't hold up, imo, for the whole 52 minutes. Over on the eclistserv there has been a prolonged discussion about the similiarities between International Echo and Party Party. 'Echo actually reminds me a lot of Fish & Chip Paper. Another track reminds me a lot of a Randy Newman song, tunewise. We'll say no more until we've all heard it.

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Thu May 11, 2006 12:53 am

More details of Japanese edition -

http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail.asp?sku=3D1366357

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:52 am

More RIR vinyl -

http://www.towerrecords.com/product.asp ... +Toussaint

John · Post by **John** » Thu May 11, 2006 12:53 pm

KOA is 58 minutes with a couple of duffers, so 53 minutes with only one weak track will do fine for me. I can't wait to hear this. "The River In Reverse" sounds just great on the video. How does this compare to the album?

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Thu May 11, 2006 2:13 pm

From listserv -

Re- Japanese release of RIR

OK, so here is a translation of the track listing!

Disk 1:
1. On Your Way Down
2. Nearer To You
3. Tears, Tears And More Tears
4. The Sharpest Thorn
5. Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?
6. The River In Reverse
7. Freedom For The Stallion
8. Broken Promise Land
9. Ascension Day
10. International Echo
11. All These Things
12. Wonder Woman
13. Six-Fingered Man
14. The Greatest Love

Disc 2: (it should be the DVD)
1. Tears, Tears And More Tears
2. The Sharpest Thorn
3. What Do You Want The Girl To Do?
4. The River In Reverse
5. Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?
6. All These Things
7. Freedom For The Stallion
8. Sweet Georgia Brown
9. Ascension Day
10. On Your Way Down

Ayako

charliestumpy · Post by **charliestumpy** » Fri May 12, 2006 2:18 am

Ta for DVD-song listing - seems as if there's 2 on it not officially released - knew there was some reason why I ordered DVD version at fiver more ... will check out quickest-cheapest-best way of buying Japanese release (with DVD) in UK. In past have made do with downloading Japanese bonus tracks until they get included on some UK rere mish-mash ...

I obviously like Costello, but IMO his 'record' companies have always been absolute crap at selling his recorded product/pissing off potential purchasers etc ...

bambooneedle · Post by **bambooneedle** » Fri May 12, 2006 2:36 am

The Japanese market... what makes them so special. They should just get some superfluous bonus two tracks like Pump It Up and Alison live or something.

Post by **BlueChair** » Fri May 12, 2006 5:57 am

I've heard they give the Japanese market extra stuff on a lot of releases because CDs are significantly more expensive in the country.

King Hoarse · Post by **King Hoarse** » Fri May 12, 2006 3:11 pm

BlueChair wrote:I've heard they give the Japanese market extra stuff on a lot of releases because CDs are significantly more expensive in the country.

Yeah the Japanese My Flame Burns Blue was more than twice the price of the imported CD (US I think) when I was there in February.

Some Japanese labels refuse to release anything without bonus tracks because they need the completist exports to make money on it; it's not only for the sake of the locals almost getting their money's worth.

So they should just do import presses, distribute them as Japanese releases and stick a translation sheet in there if they insist IMHO.

John · Post by **John** » Sat May 13, 2006 6:07 pm

A clip of each track can be heard on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FA ... nce&n=5174

oldhamer · Post by **oldhamer** » Sat May 13, 2006 7:14 pm

Playing through the 30 second samples, I'm quietly optimistic about this album. I'm glad "All These Things" finally found it's way on an album, I loved his version on the Blood and Chocolate bonus disc, and this one seems just as good. Perhaps a couple of badly chosed covers, but I like the general sound and mood of this record. My favourite track on first listen was definitely "Sharpest Thorn". So generally I'm optimistic, I just hope this record doesn't go the way of When I Was Cruel North, My Flame Burns Blue and most of the Juliet Letters - an enjoyable record that I don't play much because it's a bit long and not that high a tempo. I listen to Costello mostly in my walkman when I'm walkman, and those four albums aren't good to walk to.

Post by **spooky girlfriend** » Sat May 13, 2006 9:54 pm

Sharpest Thorn is really good for me as well. My fave so far.

migdd · Post by **migdd** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:21 pm

As someone who had a BOOTLEG copy of Blood and Chocolate four months prior to release, and a BOOTLEG copy of KOA two months prior to it's hallowed street date, I'm proud to say I've only heard the 30 second snippets on Amazon.com with no advance copy in sight. I look forward to June 6th (one day prior to my 47th birthday) when I can wander over to my neighborhood record shop (BEST BUY!!!. . .sigh) and purchase this virgin CD. . .hot off the cherry tree.

sweetest punch · Post by **sweetest punch** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:28 am

You can listen to an almost complete 'Tears, Tears and More Tears' here:

http://www.radio1.be/radio1_master/home ... index.html

Click on "Programma's". Then click "Carte Blanche" in the schedule. Press "Beluister de jongste uitzending" (listen again), an internetradio player will open. The song is at 0:51

You can listen again to this radio programme for just one week.

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Mon May 15, 2006 5:28 pm

Watch a RIR e-card -

http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/ecard.as ... 9&ecid=101

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Mon May 15, 2006 6:19 pm

Sounds great!

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Tue May 16, 2006 5:41 pm

Since , presumably , those of you who want it will have, by now, purchased a copy of The Word's May issue , it seems safe enough to post the text of the Costello/Toussaint feature in it.

http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/

The Word , May '06

IF YOUR NAMEâ€™S ELVIS AND THIS IS TUESDAY..

...that could mean a collaboration with Allen Toussaint, a few standards with Tony Bennett or a night at the Grand Ole Opry. But it could as easily have been country or ballet, film music or jazz. TOBY MANNING meets the intrepid explorer in New York

" SHALL I TELL YOU my week?â€

John · Post by **John** » Wed May 17, 2006 4:08 pm

Tears, tears and more tears is storming up this airplay chart. Now at 18.

http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16700

Elvis Costello Fan Forum

River in Reverse discussion

TRIR - DVD version ...