This was a lucky week. Between Petra and me, we won tickets to four movies. But the big prize was that we won tickets (thanks to the web site Sacramento365.com) to see one of the master artists of our time, Elvis Costello. If you know me, you know I have been a big fan of his for about 35 years, since his first album My Aim Is True came out. Holy crap, 35 years?!

Well, I’ve seen him in concert maybe 10-12 times over the years and am convinced that he is a great showman and this show was more proof of that. Over the years, I’ve seen him solo, and also with various bands (Attractions, Imposters, Confederates, etc) and it has always been a top-notch quality show. This time it was solo, with a sparse stage with a couple chairs, a keyboard, and maybe a half dozen guitars.

There was a big lit-up 20 sign on the left and a big lit-up 54 sign on the right. It is the “centiary tour” because he would be 100 in 2054 but he said something about playing the songs now instead. This show, at the wonderful Mondavi Center in nearby Davis, was a bit unusual in that there were fewer “hits” played than any of his other shows that I have been to. That’s fine, since last year we saw him in Reno on the “Spinning Songbook” tour where it was almost all hits. Not this time, though. For the first time that I remember, he did not play perhaps his biggest hit, Alison. He did, however, play The Angels Want To Wear My Red Shoes, Veronica, Everyday I Write The book, and a very noisy version of Watching The Detectives that started with part of Neil Young’s Down By The River. He appeared to be having a lot of fun with that one.

There was an early, obscure favorite of a b-side Ghost Train, and some deep album tracks that were surprising but effective choices: Bedlam from The Delivery Man, The River In Reverse from his album of the same name with Alain Toussant, Suit Of Lights from King Of America, all unexpected but all good. And there was a sizable chunk of his latest studio album National Ransom. And more, there were at least a couple songs that I didn’t recognize and I’m a pretty big fan. There were a couple encores and he finally ended the show after over two hours with a hit of sorts, even though he did not write it, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, And Understanding. That’s a great one to end with, and a message that never goes out of style.

His guitar and keyboard playing have improved steadily over the years and his voice is still powerful and striking. And of course his songwriting can’t even be touched by very many other artists. Sure, he’s mellowed some over the years, overall at least, but he can still rock out and be pretty intense when he wants to. If you like him at all, by all means see him live. He does not disappoint.

Were you at this show? Are you a Costello fan? Whatever, leave me a comment!

Just added! Here’s someone else’s review of the show

Previous Elvis Costello video on my YouTube page

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