Salon, May 13, 1998: Difference between revisions
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Occasionally these collections produce an inspired moment, like Shonen Knife's reconfiguration of the Carpenters' "Top of the World." More often, they're artistically bankrupt, as when Rod Stewart et al. re-recorded Carole King's entire ''Tapestry'' album, or country artists like Travis Tritt attempted to cross over by remaking Eagles hits. Only a precious handful have actually been unassailable albums that broadened and deepened the audience for both the subject and the acts involved, like the Grateful Dead tribute ''Deadicated'', ''Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams'' and most of producer Hal Willner's projects, like ''Stay Awake'' (Disney) and ''That's the Way I Feel Now'' (Thelonious Monk). What separates these projects from the litter is the way they transcend the originals without desecrating them, stressing the songwriting while also allowing each interpreter's idiosyncrasy to shine. | Occasionally these collections produce an inspired moment, like Shonen Knife's reconfiguration of the Carpenters' "Top of the World." More often, they're artistically bankrupt, as when Rod Stewart et al. re-recorded Carole King's entire ''Tapestry'' album, or country artists like Travis Tritt attempted to cross over by remaking Eagles hits. Only a precious handful have actually been unassailable albums that broadened and deepened the audience for both the subject and the acts involved, like the Grateful Dead tribute ''Deadicated'', ''Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams'' and most of producer Hal Willner's projects, like ''Stay Awake'' (Disney) and ''That's the Way I Feel Now'' (Thelonious Monk). What separates these projects from the litter is the way they transcend the originals without desecrating them, stressing the songwriting while also allowing each interpreter's idiosyncrasy to shine. | ||
One of the few performers to consistently deliver on tribute projects is Elvis Costello; check out his masterful "Ship of Fools" on ''Deadicated'', or his a cappella "Full Force Gale" on ''No Prima Donna: The Songs of Van Morrison.'' And his own tossed-off collection of favorite chestnuts, | One of the few performers to consistently deliver on tribute projects is Elvis Costello; check out his masterful "Ship of Fools" on ''Deadicated'', or his a cappella "Full Force Gale" on ''No Prima Donna: The Songs of Van Morrison.'' And his own tossed-off collection of favorite chestnuts, ''Kojak Variety'', showed Costello to possess the knowledge and taste of an obsessive, record-buying nerd. Now Rhino has turned the tables, assembling a collection of previously recorded Costello tunes by 21 different artists, and the result is a bracing reassessment of Costello's work. | ||
These days there are basically two schools of thought on Costello: that he's an aged punk rocker who peaked around 1980, or that he's one of the most vibrant, thoughtful and versatile songwriters of the rock era. This collection, despite its characteristically verbose, inscrutable title and ugly cover, should help sway people toward the latter opinion. Take, for example, the two songs written for movie soundtracks: Only Costello could write both "Unwanted Number," an impeccable, peppy girl-group song about an unwanted pregnancy (from ''Grace of My Heart'', performed by For Real) and the drunken jazz singer's depiction of soap-opera brutality "Punishing Kiss" (from ''Short Cuts'', performed by Annie Ross.) | These days there are basically two schools of thought on Costello: that he's an aged punk rocker who peaked around 1980, or that he's one of the most vibrant, thoughtful and versatile songwriters of the rock era. This collection, despite its characteristically verbose, inscrutable title and ugly cover, should help sway people toward the latter opinion. Take, for example, the two songs written for movie soundtracks: Only Costello could write both "Unwanted Number," an impeccable, peppy girl-group song about an unwanted pregnancy (from ''Grace of My Heart'', performed by For Real) and the drunken jazz singer's depiction of soap-opera brutality "Punishing Kiss" (from ''Short Cuts'', performed by Annie Ross.) |
Revision as of 20:00, 8 May 2019
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