Sneak peek: Elvis Costello – Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook (2011)

We’ve all heard the lout in the back of the crowd, yelling “Freebird!” or some such annoying thing. On this tour, Elvis Costello brings those guys right on stage.

Costello’s Revolver Tour actually revives a spinning songbook idea that he first used back in 1986, where members of the audience are invited up to spin a giant game show-type wheel containing dozens of song titles, and a few wild card positions. Costello and the Imposters, swinging wildly between burlesque gumption and flinty attitude, then play the song that the wheel stopped on, to the thrill of the crowd.

Following along, as Costello and Co. interact with the crowd then happily leap into the singer-songwriter’s deep catalog of work — deftly moving through the expected (including songs from his latest release National Ransom; hits like “Watching the Detectives,” “Radio Radio” and “Every Day I Write The Book”) and then well off the beaten path (“Mystery Dance,” from his debut; “Lipstick Vogue,” from his first record with the Attractions; “Stella Hurt” from 2008’s Momofuku) — makes this cheeky, carnival-style box set The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook one of the most fast-paced, delightfully involving live recordings in ages.

And, one of the most comprehensive.

Due Dec. 6 from Universal Music Enterprises, the box includes 3 discs (CD, DVD, 10” vinyl EP) of music recorded over a two-night stand at the Wiltern in Los Angeles on May 11 and 12, 2011. The second disc is a DVD focusing on Costello’s show on May 12, 2011, including a special guest appearance by the Bangles. Limited to 1500 copies worldwide, each set is individually numbered with a special commemoration card personally signed by Costello.

The DVD contains bonus footage including an alternate intro by Napoleon Dynamite (aka Costello), and behind-the-scenes moments captured with the Imposters — Steve Nieve, Davey Faragher and Pete Thomas — as well as extra performances not included in the main set of the show. The third disc is a 10-inch vinyl EP with four songs only available in this set. The super deluxe package includes a 40-page hardcover book packed with candid and concert photos, a tour diary of Costello’s musings from each tour stop, a 20”-by-30” concert tour poster and the limited edition postcard. This collection is housed in a deluxe box complete with a spinning replica of “The Spectacular Spinning Songbook” on the front cover.

A single and double-disc version will be available next year.

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DISC ONE (CD): I Hope You’re Happy Now; Heart of the City; Mystery Dance; Radio Radio; Everyday I Write The Book; God Give Me Strength; Watching The Detectives; Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s A Doll Revolution); Out Of Time; I Want You; Stella Hurt; All Grown Up; Lipstick Vogue; Man out of Time; National Ransom; (What’s So Funny ‘bout) Peace, Love and Understanding. (Recorded live at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, May 11-12, 2011.)
DISC TWO (DVD): I Hope You’re Happy Now; Heart Of The City; Mystery Dance; Radio Radio; Clubland; God Give Me Strength; Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s A Doll Revolution); Out Of Time; I Want You; Everyday I Write The Book; Stella Hurt; A Slow Drag With Josephine; Jimmie Standing In The Rain; Alison; Earthbound; (What’s So Funny ‘bout) Peace, Love And Understanding. Bonus tracks: Uncomplicated; Watching The Detectives; Monkey To Man. (Filmed live at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, May 12, 2011.)
DISC THREE (THE 10”): Side A — Pump it Up; Busted. Side B — Brilliant Mistake; Strict Time.

For more info on the Revolver Tour, go to: www.elviscostello.com.

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Nick DeRiso

Nick DeRiso has written for USA Today, American Songwriter, All About Jazz, and a host of others. Honored as columnist of the year five times by the Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association and Louisiana Sports Writers Association, he oversaw a daily section named Top 10 in the U.S. by the AP before co-founding Something Else! Nick is now assistant managing editor with Townsqaure Media. Listen to NICKRADIO here: bit.ly/NICKRADIO.

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