Spectacle:With Elvis Costello

[ScoopJohnD]

I got lucky and scored tix to see a taping of this show tomorrow. Elvis playing and talking with various artists.

Kinda disappointed in the lineup for my taping...... ;)

Allan Toussaint, Nick Lowe, Levon Helm and Richard Thompson.

[windowman]

Life's a bitch, John...ENJOY!

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

damn the luck......
Richard Thompson & Loudon Wainwright III will be in town on 11/8
please give us a report you lucky __________! :)

[festivalgirl]

Nice!!! Glad to hear they are doing a second season .... we really enjoyed the first one.

Nick Lowe & Elvis!!!!! Saw them at Forest Hills in the early 80's .... stellar show.

[Orleansnj]

I got lucky and scored tix to see a taping of this show tomorrow. Elvis playing and talking with various artists.

Kinda disappointed in the lineup for my taping...... ;)

Allan Toussaint, Nick Lowe, Levon Helm and Richard Thompson.

heh heh !!

Have a great time ! (and fill-us in here )

[saturn]

I am so envious. Have a great time and report back.

We love Elvis' show and will really be looking forward to seeing this one. (I love Richard Thompson!)

I got lucky and scored tix to see a taping of this show tomorrow. Elvis playing and talking with various artists.

Kinda disappointed in the lineup for my taping...... ;)

Allan Toussaint, Nick Lowe, Levon Helm and Richard Thompson.

[mwgirlonherown]

I'm Scoop's lucky "date" for this evening.
Should be a great time as long as we avoid stopping in the Delta Grill on 9th Avenue for an amber (we've been known to never leave! Hard to during happy hour)

See you later today, John. I should be a little more relaxed. We should get news regarding the Titanic going down here at the office!

[The Krewe of Chew]

Enjoy the show, Linda and Scoop! Another friend of mine is also going; I am very jealous!

[ScoopJohnD]

Should be fun and I'll post a report. I suspect my review will be something to the effect of "The amber was cold and delicious."

Maybe I'll mention something about the show as well. ;)

[ScoopJohnD]

Well, what a f%&^ing night!! The amber was cold and delicious. :)

Oh the show......

Basically Elvis built a band on stage for us lucky audience members. The base of the musical soup was Elvis and the Imposters along with guest Larry Campbell on guitar, mandolin and fiddle (ex of Bob Dylan's band now with Levon Helm)

They opened with a rootsy twist of 'Blame It On Cain'. With the four guests in the front row they launched into a great 'Rag Mama Rag' during which Elvis added new verses that introduced and gave a short history of each guest.

First added ingredient was Richard Thompson who did a blistering 'Shoot Out The Lights'. As Elvis said in the interview that followed "I wanted to make sure we started with something that would slay the audience." I love RT acoustic but there is nothing like him on electric guitar. It was followed by Elvis singing RT's 'How I Wanted To'. All this with the rest of the band.

Next to mix came Allen Toussaint. They talked about his influences on piano and he did some 'Tipatina' and 'Big Chief ' Elvis asked Allen when was the last time he appeared at the Apollo Theatre. The answer...1957!!! Which was followed by a version of 'Holy Cow'. Then Elvis gave some heartfelt words about New Orleans and they did 'Ascention Day' from The River In Reverse.

Nick Lowe was next, who did 'Lover Don't Go' with the band (remember everyone is staying on stage) and then a solo 'Beast In Me' which was preceded by a hilarious story of how Nick wrote the song with Johnny Cash on his mind, and after writing it his wife phoned Johnny Cash, told him about it and the next thing Nick knew Johnny, June Carter Cash and a few others were over the house to hear the song.

Up comes Levon Helm who unfortunately due to vocal strain could not sing or speak (not a recurrance of his previous illness thankfully), but as Elvis said he will still "play the fuck out the drums." Elvis mentioned other drummers (Earl Palmer, Zigaboo, Jim Keltner) and Levon since he couldn't talk,answered by playing each of their styles on the drums. He did answer one question, the last time he played on the Apollo stage was 1959!!

Each guest talked about the influence of The Band and then it was rock n roll time. The entire band did 'Fortune Teller', then 'Tennesse Jed' from Electric Dirt. And then the one of the best versions of "The Weight" I've ever heard with special guest Ray LaMontagne doing vocals on the first verse and each band member taking a verse after. It was scary how much Ray LaMontagne looks like a young Richard Manuel.

Encore was 'A Certain Girl' and since it was a TV taping we got treated to a second take of 'The Weight'.

The stories were great, Linda remarked how it was neat how everything tied together in the show, and the music was unbelievable.

A real special night. :D

[rosetree]

WOW!!!
Sounds like a f*&%#* spectacular night! :D
Can't wait for the TV show

[sharon_loves_fats]

Thanks for the review, Scoop. What a great night it must have been. Glad to hear you had such a f&#^$#ing good time!!

[Bluemon]

Sounds wonderful. We really enjoyed the first season. Can't wait to see this one!

[VWGal]

I'm glad there will be a season two -- we loved season one!

[MaloGator]

Jealous!:o

[eZe]

Holy cow..thats what I refer to as a religious experience.