Elvis Costello Emplores Fan Not To Buy His Record

Yes, Elvis via his website, is asking fan to wait till next year to purchase his latest release, The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook. He say no matter how he tried to convince his record label, they would not reduce the price of the record. He thinks it's too high. If you need it now, pirate it.

He goes one step further and actually recommends another artist if you're looking for a gift to purchase for the holidays.

If you want to buy something special for your loved one at this time of seasonal giving, we suggest, “Ambassador Of Jazz” - a cute little imitation suitcase containing ten re-mastered albums by one of the most beautiful and loving revolutionaries who ever lived – Louis Armstrong.

The album (or I should say package: it's a CD, DVD and LP) which comes out 12/6 is at pre-order prices which run the gamut between $202.63 at Amazon to $307.99 at J&R (which it looks like is paid through Amazon at checkout). I'm assuming a single CD will be released in the new year, which will not be as costly.

I have not seen any comments from Elvis' record label, Hip-O Records which is part of the Universal Music Group and I didn't receive a response from his PR person. Would love to know their reasoning on the pricing.

A precursor to the tour that encompasses this recording was Elvis' 1986 Costello Sings Again Tour, which I saw on Broadway. He performed five nights at the Broadway Theater and each night was a different theme. I saw the spin the wheel, we'll play the song night. An audience member was called on stage to spin the wheel and whatever song (or name your request) came up, the band played it. Alison was played twice. I loved the show and it's spontaneity. My brother caught this most recent tour at the Paramount in Huntington and loved it.

Elvis/ Guster? Similar album covers:

We Are R-A-T-T-L-E-S

Yahoo Kids debuts the new video R-A-T-T-L-E-S, from my favorite furry pop band, The Rattles. It will make Elvis Costello, The Ramones and The Bay City Rollers proud.

RATTLE ON!

It's The Rattles record release day.  The Rattles are a band of animals from the swamps of NJ.  This project has been a labor of love for me for the past two years. I am more than excited to see the music available to everyone and the fun and colorful website up.   I will disclose that I am the music supervisor for the project.  I hired the songwriters, musicians and producers to do the music.  It so happens they are two extremely talented people.  I will be interviewing them in a few weeks. The Rattles debut album is Rattle On. 

The Rattles Band wear their music references on their sleeves.  Wavy Lane which you can download for free from the band's website immediately reminded me of one of music's unsung heroes, Mike Nesmith.  He wrote and sang those great Monkees songs Papa Gene's Blues and The Girl I Knew Somewhere.  Different Drum was a hit for Linda Ronstadt.  The innocent and endearing 1-2-3 Count On Me is the sleeper track.  It's sung by Kitty, the band's female drummer.  "Her" voice is so refreshingly charming.  R-A-T-T-L-E-S is the foot stomping, air punching nod to punk and pop:  a little Pump It Up and a little Saturday Night.  Shipwreck In The Sky and Lucky Sam's Banana Stand are both playful and catchy. When you listen to Rattle On, you can't help but think of the other "animal bands",  the already mentioned Monkees, The Byrds and The Beatles. 

Take a listen and I'm sure one of the songs will be stuck in your head, in a good way.  Play it for your kids.  Play it for yourself.

She Loves The Jerk

The song has been covered by Rodney Crowell and Elvis Costello. Here's the original by the very prolific John Hiatt.

Elvis Costello in Conversation with .....

"Spectacle: Elvis Costello with . . ." debuted last night on the Sundance Channel. His first guest was the shows producer, Elton John. Episode one was an informal conversation between two seasoned musicians who have seen their share of collaborations, toured extensively and have deep rooted fans. They explored Elton John's early career. I didn't know that he toured with Patti LaBelle before he became Elton John or that Laura Nyro was a huge influence (although it wasn't surprising). Elton still seems so excited about music, although he pointed out that the talent and singer songwriters that came out of hte 60's and 70's are sorely missing these days.

Both men also shared their reasons for not performing with their birth name. Elvis said that with a name like Declan McManus, he should be wearing a cable sweater singing Irish folk songs. It just didn't work with his music. Elton said he never wants to be call Reg again. Elton joked about a porn film composer named Costello Presley.

Elvis and Elton performed two covers: Working In Coal Mine along with Down River a song by David Ackles. Elton remembered David opening for him at the Troubadour in 1970 and couldn't believe he wasn't the headliner.

The editing of the show was a bit abrupt and it seemed clipped as it went to a commercial. This took me out of the in-your- living room pace and feel of the show. Beside the abrupt commercial breaks, the show was informative and gave us an insight into what made Reg Dwight, Elton John.