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A dollar for every Costello mixtape made would make you rich: here's the man's own, collated to amplify a memoir where, just possibly, he names the inspirations/muses/enemies that inspired his songs. It proves a potent collection, embracing some touchstones — "Alison," "Oliver's Army," "Shipbuilding" — while not being a "greatest hits." The first disc follows Costello from angry upstart (captured in Anton Corbijn's cover shot) to accomplished songsmith, a useful guide through the entrails of his increasingly tortured '8os output. The selection from the last 25 years — eg, '94's "London's Brilliant Parade" — sounds breezy by comparison, partly as Costello spent less time with the Attractions, perhaps realising Steve Nieve's cod-classic keys were doing his writing few favours. The many collaborations yield mixed results. Allen Toussaint's sharp arrangement of "Truthful Mirror" finds his vocal powers wanting, as do sessions with Bacharach and The Brodsky Quartet. He's more at ease in country company —his duet with George Jones on "Stranger In The House" was an early victory, and 2008's "April 5th" (hitherto unreleased) with Kristofferson and Rosanne Cash is a real bonus. So, too are snatches of him reading outtakes from his book; witness his droll account of his time with McCartney. After all these years, he's still tricky, still engaging. | |||
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'''Extras:''' 1975 demo of "I Can't Turn It Off", close sibling of "Red Shoes." | |||
'''6/10 | '''6/10 | ||
Revision as of 01:14, 4 March 2016
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