Elvis Costello – The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook!!! (2011/2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:16:09 minutes | 1,58 GB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © UMe – Elvis Costello
Prolific singer-songwriter Elvis Costello spun another pivotal outing at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on May 11 and 12, 2011. This recording marked the triumphant return of “The Spectacular Spinning Songbook,” an artistic and innovative endeavor, which put fans in control. Each spin outlined a song that would be performed in the set list. The British icon first introduced this game-show type wheel in 1986 at the Beverly Theatre. The performance showcased exhilarating renditions of beloved hits and rarities including “Watching The Detectives,” “Man Out Of Time,” and “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?”. This musical experience was unlike any other and is available as a pristine hi-res download.
A weighty box set containing one concert in three different formats — CD, DVD, and 10″ vinyl — The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook!!! gained some notoriety in the week prior to its release when Elvis Costello claimed its “price appears to be either a misprint or a satire.” True, the $262 price tag is steep — particularly for an album that offers 16 songs on its CD and 19 on its DVD, some overlapped, some not — but some die-hard fans with deep wallets will surely find the replica of the Spectacular Spinning Songwheel appealing and the musical contents, which are penciled in for a separate affordable release sometime in 2012, are strong. Costello & the Imposters are in high spirits, jumping out of the gate with “I Hope You’re Happy Now” — a tune whose 1986 vintage dates from the original Spinning Songwheel tour, legendary among Costello fanatics for its loose, unpredictable nature — then tearing into Nick Lowe’s “Heart of the City,” one of two unexpected covers here (the other being the Rolling Stones’ “Out of Time”). Other pleasant surprises rear their heads — notably Susanna Hoffs taking lead on “Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s a Doll Revolution),” a song the Bangles recorded after Elvis — but he still finds time for such staples as “Everyday I Write the Book,” “Watching the Detectives,” “I Want You,” “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding,” and “Radio, Radio,” so it’s not entirely a stroll through the darkest corners of Costello’s past, something that undoubtedly makes that high price tag sting just a little bit more. But disregard the cost of The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook!!! for a moment and focus on the music: it’s an enjoyable set that is absolutely worth the price when it’s available at a lower suggested retail, and for those wealthy Costello fanatics, this big box is a handsome collectable. –AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
01. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – I Hope You’re Happy Now (03:14)
02. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Heart Of The City (02:21)
03. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Mystery Dance (02:04)
04. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Radio Radio (02:35)
05. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Everyday I Write The Book (05:00)
06. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – God Give Me Strength (06:33)
07. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Watching The Detectives (06:50)
08. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s A Doll Revolution) (feat. Susanna Hoffs) (03:43)
09. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Out Of Time (04:59)
10. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – I Want You (08:38)
11. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Stella Hurt (06:43)
12. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – All Grown Up (04:42)
13. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Lipstick Vogue (04:24)
14. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Man Out Of Time (04:54)
15. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – National Ransom (04:03)
16. Elvis Costello & The Imposters – (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? (05:19)
