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Elvis Costello has always been a unique performer. So unique, in fact, that he has always had trouble getting his songs played on the radio. He's never really had a hit single, yet his albums sell well and he has a loyal following.
Judging by his show this week at the Universal Amphitheatre, Costello seems headed in a direction that will allow him to pick. up an even wider audience.
He even mentioned that a new song "Everyday I Write the Book," was heading up the Billboard charts with a bullet.
Costello has smoothed out a lot of the rough edges in his performances in the past couple of years. In his early shows, the performer would rush on stage and hurry through a 45 minute set that would leave audiences dazed.
Now he takes his time, using a lot more dynamics and pacing than he used to. The result is a much more accessible set that lacks a lot of the urgency of the younger Costello. But his new act is very effective in its own way.
In Sunday night's show, Costello used a four-piece horn section and two female backup singers in addition to his long-time rhythm section, The Attractions. The result was the most full and rich sound he has ever produced in a live performance:
During his nearly two-hour set, he introduced many new songs, but also took time for a lot of the old favorites. These included "Mystery Dance," "Alison," and "Watching the Detectives."
Surprisingly enough, the new and unfamiliar material got as good a response as the old favorites.
It's evident that Costello has matured as an artist, losing a lot of the angry young man attitude that he once held — without sacrificing any of the passion in the music.
The elaborate set and excellent sound system were a definite improvement over his early shows which often featured poor sound and virtually no set decoration.
Costello seems ready now to attract a larger audience than he ever has before, but he hasn't given up any of his artistic integrity like many performers do when they try to reach a mass audience.
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