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Some will argue that all music is state of the art. Maybe that theory is unarguable but its parallel, that all music possesses artistic quality is quite disputable.
Perhaps the best way to prove this point is by viewing the artistic talents of Elvis Costello. Costello is an artist, genius and true connoisseur of music.
Hard-rock fans may argue that Billy Squire's song "The Stroke" contains an important message which he wants to convey to his listeners (a message beyond the scope of this column to explain. But to parallel that type of message to the messages that are in Costello's music is at best musical sacrilege.
Costello expresses in his music the strong feelings he has for political and social abuses. Songs such as "Shipbuilding" (which is about the British involvement in the Falkland Islands) are artistic masterpieces in modern music.
For this "exposure to artistic music" reason alone, the Elvis Costello concert was indeed a treat to Champaign. He maximized his music and concert performance talents on Wednesday night to a large, what appeared to be "Elvis Costello fanatic," audience.
Costello's older songs, and music by other artists — such as the Everly Brothers — made up the core of his concert. During his encores, however, he played many favorites such as the aforementioned "Shipbuilding," "Angels Want To Wear My Red Shoes" and "Alison," leaving his devoted fans satiated and happy.
One of the finer aspects of a Costello concert is its simplicity. Many performers lean on the crutch of fancy lighting and creative special effects to entertain their followers. Unfortunately, the downfall of many of these entertainers is their music. Costello completely relies on the quality of his music to entertain his listeners, and does so successfully. Staging consisted only of a few gel lights and a spot light.
Costello's accompaniment was equally as simple; he relied on a guitar or piano to back up his vocals. The instruments did not drown out the singing, as is common in many concerts.
In addition to his talent as a musician, Costello makes the most of his incredibly soothing voice, a voice which is neither similar nor comparable to any other. He touches his listeners with the emotion in his voice. Songs such as "Almost Blue," a song which Costello doesn't like, feeling it was released before it was ready — is extremely emotional and the pain it expresses is explicitly heard in his voice.
A disappointing fact about this concert was that there were not many cuts played from the Imperial Bedroom and Punch the Clock albums. The priceless value of these records is the spectrum of variety found on them. Perhaps the reason for this omission is the constant use of brass in the songs which can't be performed in a solo tour. It was a definite loss to the concert.
Without a doubt, Costello fans enjoyed the three long encores he performed. The second encore was a duet with opening singer, T Bone Burnett. Burnett possesses the same artistic style as Costello but in a much cruder and unpolished form. The duet gave an excellent performance of the oldie "Baby's in Black."
The Elvis Costello concert was truly a pleasing opportunity to see an artist at his work.
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