Elvis Costello!

My thoughts about this show? Well. First I would say that I got my moneys worth and then some. The tickets were priced well for the show and Elvis and his band played very well. This band ROCKED non-stop and delivered a finale of fast-paced Rock and Roll at the end of a marathon night. Impressive to say the least!

Next there was a moment when Elvis took the stage alone with just a guitar. He was singing several songs and telling stories around a couple of them. Elvis played "A Slow Drag with Josephine" and as he worked through the lyrics behind the microphone he suddenly stepped to the side and started singing and playing with no amplification.
You could have heard a pin drop. The DPAC is a pretty big place but I swear you could have heard him in the balcony. I was lucky to be standing about 10 feet from him and it sounded awesome. When he finished the song the crowd ROARED their approval, rose to their feet, and applauded. Yes, these are the moments I live to see. Indeed. No cd or video can give you goose bumps like that.

Here are some links to a cool video or two:

"Slow Drag With Josephine." Recorded this year. This video backs the story I told you above. Enjoy it. I just did again. Before you click the link listen to the tone of Elvis's voice on this song and tell me you don't hear a hint of a Paul McCartney sound. Just sayin.' As I watched him perform I could hear that tone and it was really nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV_UaQY6YUI&feature=related

"Pump it Up." Yeah this was one of the last songs. Always a favorite of mine. They rocked this one better than the video but I still go back and watch You Tube files like this to re-live that moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG-q2tEhV7s


Here is another video featuring Bono and the Edge. If you have never seen Elvis's awesome TV show you are missing something very special. Here he finishes an interview and they go to the stage to ROCK a medley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFUEM61jIVo&feature=related


Another one of the finale songs "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love & Understanding" On this link you can see Elvis hosting the "David Letterman Show" and playing that killer guitar I showed you the picture of earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XYFJUP84lE

Well that's it for the moment. Remember as Warren Zevon said "Enjoy Every Sandwich" and live NOW. Go see some live music.


Until next time, I'll see you, down the road.

NIce Inlay Dude.

I love guitars and this one was very nice. This photo is all about looking at the inlay on the fretboard. Although I haven't posted too many pictures in this blog series I did manage to get some nice
photos of the Elvis Costello guitar collection on this tour.

Bullhorns!

It is not normally an item you see on a music stage but Elvis brought out the bullhorn for one song and the klaxon sound it made was a very cool introduction for a song...

Girls on Stage...

This was not just a non-stop three hour concert, it was a SHOW! Elvis made multiple visits into the crowd one time even going all the way the back row of the DPAC to bring couples and girls to the stage for
a spin of the wheel or a seat at the bar.

His lovely assistant also brought excited fans back as well and his dancer persuaded many of the participants to dance at times with Elvis as he sang.

The Wheel!

The view as I walked into the Durham Performing Arts Center last Sunday evening. I'm here for Elvis Costello!
http://www.elviscostello.com/

It was a fine sunny day in Durham, North Carolina. The baseball game was going and I had been sitting at Tobacco Road taking in the game and enjoying the sunshine over a Green Man IPA and some awesome food.

The Durham Bulls slugged a couple of home runs into the roof over my head with a resounding thud. It was a nice way to wind down before what I knew was going to be a great show!

It was almost two years to the day since I had seen Elvis perform. In fact I was on the stage crew and I really enjoyed having a brief chat and taking some cool pictures of him and his band. That night after
the show I had the pleasure of working with his guitar technician while packing all of those fabulous guitars he owns. The guitars are very cool and the very old acoustic Gibson models are very nice.

I didn't put too many pictures from Merlefest 2010 on my blog but I have some really cool ones of his band standing in the hallway outside green room doing the pre-stage rituals.

Here is a link to a photo I put on the blog back then as Elvis jammed on stage with a Grammy-winning throng of musicians. That was an awesome day and night!

http://downsouthradiohour.blogspot.com/search?q=elvis+costello