National Ransom - November 2010

[Ypsilanti]

The day the album drops will mark the day for a full-set show Costello will tape for PBS’s Live from the Artists Den, which should air in early 2011. Costello will be releasing several pairs of tickets for this particular show via a New York City-based Foursquare scavenger hunt. Further information about this game has yet to be revealed.

OK. I have no idea what in God's name a "Foursquare scavenger hunt" is. I just signed up for Foursquare and I still have no idea. I assume it will be fun. I hope it will not require me to run all over NYC, like an idiot. I don't think I'm friendly enough for all this social networking, but I'm trying not to turn into an old poop.

Maybe one of you smart, tech-savvy people can tell me what I've just gotten myself into. Is anyone else planning to do this too?

[Jeremy Dylan]

This a pretty stellar deal actually - the CD + an EP for less than $15AUD. Not bad.

[strangerinthehouse]

Agh, I've already ordered my CD from play.com.

Now it turns out I can get the CD and a digital EP from nationalransom.com!

Who knew this was going to happen?!

The same thing happened to me when The Walkmen released their latest, the wonderful Lisbon. I pre-ordered the album only to find out later that they were releasing a deluxe package with a 7-inch and autograph poster.

I'm excited about the EP, especially "Poor Borrowed Dress," that was a fun song from the live show. Anybody know if "Big Boys Cry" is an original?

[Hawksmoor]

Agh, I've already ordered my CD from play.com.

Now it turns out I can get the CD and a digital EP from nationalransom.com!

Who knew this was going to happen?!

The same thing happened to me when The Walkmen released their latest, the wonderful Lisbon. I pre-ordered the album only to find out later that they were releasing a deluxe package with a 7-inch and autograph poster.

I'm excited about the EP, especially "Poor Borrowed Dress," that was a fun song from the live show. Anybody know if "Big Boys Cry" is an original?

The EC wiki has it down as an Eddy Raven song. I'm assuming 'I Don't Want to Go Home' is an updating of the song that surfaced as a 'Pathway Demo' on the deluxe MAIT. Between the four songs on National Ransack and 'I Hope' we now have five of the alleged seven extras that were supposedly recorded at the sessions - anyone confirm what the other two were, or speculate on whether they'll be released? 'Lucky Dog' is likely to be one of them, I guess.

[johnfoyle]

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter ... 13035.html

Album: Elvis Costello, National Ransom (Hear Music)

(Rated 3/ 5 )

Reviewed by Andy Gill

Friday, 22 October 2010

The Independent


T-Bone Burnett's been busy: as well as the Elton & Leon album, he's marshalled the forces behind National Ransom, a collection of typically thoughtful, occasionally verbose songs from Elvis Costello whose range of subject-matter – from apologetic assassin to spiritualist séance to regretful runaway – is matched by the varied musical styles.

"Jimmie Standing In The Rain" couches northern decline in Depression-era oompah minstrelsy, "One Bell Ringing" is a Kafkaesque nightmare shrouded in horns, and "Slow Drag With Josephine" a nimble retro-Americana exercise of guitar, mandolin and fiddle. The most impressive piece is "You Hung The Moon", with subtle strings and bass clarinet shading a tale of a family trying to contact the spirit of a First World War soldier.

DOWNLOAD THIS Jimmie Standing In The Rain; Slow Drag With Josephine; You Hung The Moon

[Top balcony]

I apprciate that FLAC is likely to be the best quality

Only problem is I can't get the ******file to be accepted by FlacFrontEnd.

What programme are youse all using?

Colin Top Balcony

[sweetest punch]

I apprciate that FLAC is likely to be the best quality

Only problem is I can't get the ******file to be accepted by FlacFrontEnd.

What programme are youse all using?

Colin Top Balcony

On the computer, I play FLAC files with Winamp.
I burn the FLAC files with Nero 9.

[docinwestchester]

I apprciate that FLAC is likely to be the best quality

Only problem is I can't get the ******file to be accepted by FlacFrontEnd.

What programme are youse all using?

Colin Top Balcony

Try foobar2000
http://www.foobar2000.org/download

[verbal gymnastics]

Interesting stuff.

I am touting with whether or not to buy one of the limited edition sets. I've got justification issues.

£100 is a fair amount to part with.

[johnfoyle]

Got it! Irish stores sell discs from the Friday before a UK release date.

















Bookclub this evening & other stuff tomorrow means it'll be Sun before I get a proper listen- drat!

[verbal gymnastics]

John- it's not like you haven't heard it before

[Jack of All Parades]

Now that is teasing, Mr. Foyle! Have deliberately stayed away from listening to any downloadable venue. Continued discipline until 11/2/10 when I too can hold the physical product in my hand.

[EarlManchester]

Sweet -- thanks for the preview of the booklet, JF!

Now, someone please sack the proofreader...

• • 

[Jeremy Dylan]

I know Im Lauderdale! E's one of me oldest mates, e is.

[Lester Burnham]

Sweet -- thanks for the preview of the booklet, JF!

Now, someone please sack the proofreader...

Ugh, and the unitalicized credits in 'Station Of The Cross', and the larger font used for the running time in 'Dr. Watson'...!

[bambooneedle]

Got it! Irish stores sell discs from the Friday before a UK release date.

Great picture.

[wardo68]

Two questions:

1. Jewel case, not digipack?

2. Who's "with love MPD"?

[Neil.]

Isn't MPL the name of Paul McCartney's company, named after McCartney, Paul & Linda?

So what's McCartney's new girlfriend called? Perhaps it's them he's thanking - not that I'm aware that they had any input, but anyway...

[scielle]

It's McCartney Publishing Limited, actually. Plus there's also McCartney Pictures Limited, and McCartney Productions Limited, all operating out of the same office at Soho Square.

[pophead2k]

I'm going to hazard that MPD might be the three Christian names of his son Matthew? Only because he refers to Frank and Dexter by three Christian names in the dedication. Wild speculation only.

[Neil.]

It's McCartney Publishing Limited, actually. Plus there's also McCartney Pictures Limited, and McCartney Productions Limited, all operating out of the same office at Soho Square.

LOL - oh my God, I am such an ignoramus - there's me thinking it was lovey-dovey reference to the first McCartney marriage! Okay, that scuppers my theory.

Yep, the theory about it being the initial of his eldest son sounds like a good guess!

[Top balcony]

What programme are youse all using?

Big thanks for the advice S P and Doc - these tracks are now fully compliant with my PC.

Colin Top Balcony

[verbal gymnastics]

I know Im Lauderdale! E's one of me oldest mates, e is.

And he talks of 'is mate Eremy Dylan

[johnfoyle]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/musi ... eview.html

Daily Telegraph

National Ransom: Elvis Costello

By Neil McCormick
22 Oct 2010

There’s no shortage of brilliance on display here. The problem, absurdly, is Costello’s scope. Reunited with producer T-Bone Burnett, he delivers 15 songs spanning protest rock to whimsical swing and country folk. An overcrowded collection loses potency through lack of focus.

Download this: Stations of the Cross

[Jack of All Parades]

That is what passes for a review? Shameful!