New TV show: "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with ..."

[johnfoyle]

Mary posts this account of the Elton John show to listserv -

Before it all started, there were all these guys with Dell laptops who kept telling us to blog our experiences as soon as we were out of the taping. They had a bunch of laptops all ready to go but, I guess no one did, or I wouldn't be writing this.They were very persistent . I guess Dell must be a sponsor of the show?

It is going to be broadcast on Sundance, but also in the UK, Canada and somewhere else, I forget.

Anyway, Elvis came out in a black bathrobe with a martini glass full of something red and he goofed around and welcomed the audience (of about maybe 150 people ; we were in the studio next to the one where they stage SNL). He joked about how it took 30 years to be back in NBC's studios and mentioned switching songs on SNL back in the 70's.

Then he left for a while and came back with a band (oh man Pete, Davy, Alain Toussaint and James Burton oh man!!!!). They played an old Elton song from Tumbleweed (it starts "holy Moses" ; is it called The Border?( the 1969 album 'Elton John' has a song called Border with 'holy Moses' in the first line - J.F.). They played it twice and it sounded great! They played a second Elton song (forgive me, I'm not an Elton fan) but I didn't recognize it.Elvis said it was a rock song but it didn't sound all that rock to me.

Anyway, then, Elton came out, with a huge bejeweled cross on his breast and a flowered something sticking out below his suit jacket. He looked really nice, as did Elvis ,they both had cool spectacles. Elton talked about his musical influences and they showed short film clips of some of his favorites -Janis Nyro (Laura Nyro , perhaps? -J.F.), Leon Russell, David Ackles - they talked for a long time. Elton cited dozens of influences ,seemingly every piano player since the 1940's (he somehow even worked in Ben Folds, who came after, but not poor Joe Jackson). He also emphasized that popular music was WAY better in the 1960's/1970's than it is today ,that there used to be ten great new albums released every week as opposed to today when everyone just thieves everyone elses' music and there's hardly anything that is truly new and good (although he does love Rufus W.).

After more than an hour's talk, they all got ready to play together. To me, the best part of the whole day happened then Elton started messing around, playing the Alain Toussaint song about "working in a coal mine" and then Pete and Davy and James Burton and Alan T each joined in one by one and then Elvis began singing.. It seemed totally unrehearsed - it was so remarkable to hear them jamming. Afterwards, Elton asked "Did you record that?" because HE knew that it was great, which it was.

Finally, they all played a song by David Ackles. Elvis asked the audience whether anyone had heard of the guy, and no one responded. He was news to me, but, I'm stupid.

Mrs. Costello was in attendance. She is so pretty! She was sitting with a guy who looked like Moby (but then again, most NYC men look like Moby these days - what is with that?).

[johnfoyle]

Dave posts to listerv -

Perusing some of the Elton John fan forums, I found out that the other song EC did besides "Border Song" was "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun", the leadoff track from Tumbleweed Connection.(John correctly mentioned earlier that "Border Song" is from his eponymous 2nd LP.) The David Ackles song was "Down River", from HIS self-titled first album.They did it three times, a runthrough, a false start, and a final.

After the taping, Elvis apparently brought Elton back out to play a few more songs connected to his inspirations, including "Burn Down the Mission", which he said was inspired by Laura Nyro's songs, and some Leon Russell.

[Neil.]

Oof! I have to say, the intro, with Elvis coming out in bathrobe and martini, sounds absolutely cringemaking. He's not a comedian, as proved by the Letterman stand-in slot! Elvis, you're not Bob Hope! Be careful.

However, the rest of the show sounds fine - lots of music, which is great!Hope most of the performances make it onto the show. Really hoping this goes well for him. Any news of how the Bill Clinton show went?

[Neil.]

Just thought though - perhaps the bathrobe thing wasn't part of the filmed show - maybe it was just an intro to warm up the crowd and introduce himself. Fingers crossed!

[verbal gymnastics]

It sounds great musically and I bet there's a whole wealth of unreleased material recorded.

[bronxapostle]

i got the LOU REED tix!!! i'll check back in with my recap wednesday night when i get home!!!!!!!!

[Otis Westinghouse]

Wow, well done. What a thrill that will be. Can't wait for details.

[Neil.]

Anyone got anything to say about the Bill Clinton one?

And do we know who any of the other guests are? I bet there'll be some existing pals - Joni Mitchell, I bet. And what about Macca?

And d'you reckon anyone from the film world will show?

[jmm]

Elvis' only song at the Tony Bennett show tonight was Cold, Cold Heart. He said that he will always sing a song written by, or associated with, the guest over the opening credits. They talked about how Tony's version of CCH was the first time that Hank Williams had a song crossover at a time when country songs didn't do that.

EC, although nervous at first, did a nice job interviewing Tony. He was nowhere near as nervous as in the clip they showed of EC singing with Tony and the Count Basie band from years ago where he was pertrified and said so. Once they settled in and moved beyond the three minute questions and two word answers, they had an interesting and varied conversation about the American Songbook, musical collborations, painting and other things. Tony talked about passing on "What a Wonderful World" as one of the times he didn't see how a great song would work.

Tony sang another 4 or 5 standards and EC repeatedly said "I'm not going to follow that". Diana was in the audience and Tony called her up to do "I've Got a World on a String" with him. She was busily sending a message on her blackberry and seemed to have no idea this was happening on the stage or was planned (she even ironically remarked "I'll do it just like in rehearsal!?!?"). Tony did get her to sing just a bit

Overall it certainly seems like this could turn into an interesting and enjoyable show as they get more comfortable doing it and the interesting musical guests keep coming.

A couple of other things - no bathrobe intro, they said to expect the show to air around November and that tomorrow night is the last taping until the fall, Rachel Dratch (ex-SNL) was in the audience. the sectioned off part of the SNL studio seemed to work well, someone we were talking to who was at the Bill Clinton show said that it was an interesting discussion about music (especially jazz) and EC sang one Elvis Presley tune (although he couldn't say which one)

[And No Coffee Table]

If the plan is for Elvis to do a song associated with the interviewee, the obvious Elvis Presley song for the Bill Clinton episode is "Heartbreak Hotel," which Clinton played on "The Arsenio Hall Show" in 1992.

I'm having trouble imagining Elvis doing that one though... especially since he specifically mocks the idea of covering "Heartbreak Hotel" in the Almost Blue liner notes!

Thanks for the report.

[johnfoyle]

From listserv-

Just got back from the excellent taping. Here's the best I can recall

off the top of my head...

EC first began with an intro playing the Hank Williams song "Cold,
Cold Heart" that Tony made into an international hit. Tony later
recalled how Hank Williams phoned him back in '51 and jokingly told
him "Thanks for ruining my song."

The first clip EC showed was when he was a guest on the Tony Bennett
tribute from 1983. Everyone was laughing and Elvis mentioned being a
pasty-faced youngster at the time.

Tony sang four songs throughout the taping with a pianist he raved was

the next Bill Evans. I believe his name was Billy Shallop (apologies
for not recognizing the last name, but the guy is pretty amazing.)

"I'm Old Fashioned"
"I've Got The World On A String" He invited Diana Krall out from the
audience to play (and sing) with him. She was actually texting
someone on her cell phone at the time, and she had to pop up onstage
and was telling Tony that she was just blown away throughout the
taping. She was great.

I'm not sure, but I think he also played "Just One Of Those Things",
but I may be confusing it with another song. (I confess to not being
intimate with the entire TB discography!)

His last song was a very sweet "The Way You Look Tonight"

They talked a bit about his art, showing a few of his paintings, and
Tony also chided "The Corporations" twice for dictating what we listen

to these days as opposed to having the audience make their own musical

choices. Something to the effect of "too much drums and shrieking
these days. You can't hear the harmonies anymore."

He mentioned that he and Rosemary Clooney were the ORIGINAL American
Idols (he came in 2nd to her) and had some great snippets of nostalgia

recalling Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and how Bob Hope
gave him his name. He also talked briefly about singing with Harry
Belafonte at a Martin Luther King Jr. event in '65.

EC recounted a few stories about when he first performed with an
orchestra back in '82. He was talking to his father about advice, and

Ross commented "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" That got
great laughter, and then Elvis said the one great thing he always kept

in mind that his father told him was (i'm paraphrasing here) "Never
look up to a note, always look down", which makes perfect sense as we
can tell when Elvis takes the lower octaves as his voice continues to
age.

Surprisingly, the didn't sing a duet together. Elvis was, though,
gushing over his wife getting to sing with Tony. As Elvis ended the
show, he walked into the audience, paused when he came to Diana in the

2nd row, and planted a big kiss on her. A great end to a nice evening.

Tomorrow's Lou Reed taping should be an interesting contrast to
witness!


-Steve

P.S. Oh yeah, Elvis asked Tony if he ever regretted not taking on a
song. He told the story about this song plugger who was quite
persistent about him taking on this one song. Tony just wasn't into
it and turned it down. It went on to become a little hit by Louie
Armstrong - "What A Wonderful World."

[scielle]

I believe his name was Billy Shallop (apologies for not recognizing the last name, but the guy is pretty amazing.)

Bill Charlap?
See yere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Og-DP_kaAg
He's married to another fabulous Vancouver jazz pianist, Renee Rosnes.

[charliestumpy]

Thanks for all of the info/updates - I-a few others will look forward to UK transmission ...

One reason why some sign up for fora but appear not to post is that they are seeking information, and post only to contribute.

I am still coming to terms with fact that 'M..f' might be a real physical happening on vinyls this month and CD in May (although I still have not ordered 1 in UK, or as I sometimes do from USA or Japan).

I confess to liking-buying the female members' (of Rufus Wainwright's family) sound-output, and accept that he is quite bright and jolly.

I agree with Reg Dwight that most new sounds etc are not as good as most old sounds (?digital/immorality?).

It is rumoured (by me) that DPAM has so far had several contributions to Bond 24
turned down. (I like all of James Bond films even the 2 naff ones too).

I also rumour that Elvis C. will buy Liver FC.

Possibly to seek mass credibility people do silly things - I did (even though not seeking mass interest).

Secret Lemonade Sell-Out.

[MOJO]

My mom would watch this show. It was all about Frank, Tony, Bing, and the Rat Pack with my mom, dad, and their friends (back in the day)... The Manhattan was the drink. Stirred, not shaken... Today, I see my friends drinking the same cocktail... It's a turn off for me... maybe because I had seen too many Manhattan parties growing up... I'll have send a copy of the show to my mom. She will dig it.

[jmm]

Interestingly Tony indirectly addressed the prior two posts last night. He said "I don't beleive in demographics, just good music" during one of his anti-corporate music business answers. They also talked about jazz being the only American art form and the need to understand where the music came from and what's worked in the past to build on it into the future. Tony even predicted "the American songbook will BE the classical music of 200 years from now"

If EC gets comfortable with this he might just get to a different version of Piano Jazz with Marian McParland and that would be pretty cool. And you'd have to think it'd please the guy who recent said "And I'm thinking well, goodness me, if me just recording Good Year For The Roses, whether or not it was a good record or not, had anybody buy a George Jones record, then my work here is done."

[bronxapostle]

okay went like this....acoustic guitar for E with STEVE on accordion, LARRY CAMPBELL, TONY GARNIER and i missed the girl fiddle players name...(however, she is currently playing with FRISSELL) for TWO VU songs: BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT and FEMME FATALE...both VERY well played and E in fine falsetto voice on LIGHT! then about an hour or more of E and LOU shooting the shit. it MUST be trimmed down to 1/2 that for tv sake. then, some director friend of LOU i am unfamiliar with as i am NOT a movie person. then a duet on PERFECT DAY with STEVE and another piano player. then, just the two for SET THE TWILIGHT REELING w/ LOU electric ELVIS acoustic and lead vox on 2nd verse! also, they were playing two jams beneath EC's intro of guests...WAITING FOR MY MAN as E beat poet introed LOU! good fun, but WAY long. ended 9:30!

[jmm]

cool ba, thanks - guess that's a new configuration for you!

[johnfoyle]

Steve posts to listerv -

Alrighty, another quick late night mini-review!

Diana is in her same spot, sitting next to the same guy for tonight's
taping. The stage manager called her out when telling people to turn
off their cell phones and refrain from text messaging during the
show. ha ha.



Celebrities recognized - Michael "Christopher Moltisanti" Imperioli
and Julian Schnabel (who later would be invited onstage for at least
an entire hour chatting with Lou about his "Berlin" project and his
own film-making process. Also, music critic Bill Flanagan, whom
various listers (including myself) will recall, interviewed Elvis
during that 3-hour taping of Sessions @ West 54th St a few years ago.

We got two performances by Elvis at the start - Lou's "Beginning To
See The Light" and "Femme Fatale", accompanied by Steve Nieve ("in
from France") on accordion, the same bass player from last night, a
guitarist and female violinist Jenny Scheinman, who Elvis raved about
and recommended everyone go see perform later tonight at the Village
Vanguard with the Bill Frisell Quintet. "We'll all be there, won't
you?" (Quick, someone check if EC made a guest appearance at VV
tonight)

Lou came out and seemed a bit out of it, walking tenderly on stage.
Very hazy and seemed distracted at first, but eventually warmed up and

was in a great story telling mode the entire night. Talked straight
for an hour about growing up in Bklyn and Long Island and some of the
early jobs he had. It wasn't until more than half-way through that
Lou finally grabbed his guitar and showed Elvis an example of how the
simple 3-chord structure of "Sweet Jane" contained a magic chord and
how it influenced the recording (he explained this same concept to
Sterling Morrison who didn't "get it")

Lou then needed to take a short break. Around 10 minutes into the 2nd

half, EC invited Julian Schnabel on stage, replete in his *rolls eyes*

"signature" sport coat over PJs and slippers outfit. He was equal
amounts annoyingly obtuse and brilliantly introspective the remainder
of the night. Talked much about The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
(which I absolutely loved) and also how great friends he and Lou have
been over the past 15-20 years. In fact, JS couldn't resist letting
us know that it was he who was the impetus for "Songs For Drella."
More discussion about him wanting to film Lou's "Berlin" and how they
both went into partnership and completed the project by paying
themselves. Plenty of stories that I'll no butcher by trying to
recall them - best left to see what makes it into the final cut.

After 2 hours of straight talk, the interview portion was over. Elvis

promised to return after a short break to perform a few songs with
Lou. What a treat we had in store. We got two amazing performances -

the first was "Perfect Day" with Elvis singing it straight while Lou
repeated over in his spoken style, and the night ended with a goose-
bump inducing rendition of "Set The Twilight Reeling." The crowd went

ape-shit. These will definitely make final cut.

So, that's it for the first 4 episodes until after September, when
Elvis returns from his Summer tour with The Police. I can only hope
to be fortunate to snag additional tickets for the future tapings.

[Otis Westinghouse]

We got two performances by Elvis at the start - Lou's "Beginning To
See The Light" and "Femme Fatale"[/i]

Can't wait to hear these. Two of my favourite Velvets songs.

[Neil.]

Thanks for all the info, guys!

How did Elvis come across as an interviewer? Someone said he was nervous with Tony Bennett. He's quite an edgy guy who doesn't seem to be able to relax properly, always prowling around the stage between songs. Only when singing does his tension seem to dissipate.

So was he a relaxed interviewer? Did the conversation flow? Could he keep still? Was his mind on the discussions or the songs he was about to perform?

I so hope this works out for him. It could be a real boost to his profile - his songs deserve to be standards, but they're not known by anyone outside 'serious' music fandom.

[johnfoyle]

Blog account here -

http://www.jukeboxgraduate.com/archives/000512.html

[Otis Westinghouse]

Love that account, makes me desperate to see and hear it. The author wants to know how you came across it. Google alert?

"p.s. To my utter shock, I'm getting a gazillion hits to this thing but no referrers, so I don't know how you got here. Comments or email letting me know how you found this would be most welcomed."

[johnfoyle]

Complaints about the Lou Reed show -

http://productshopnyc.com/htdocs/2008/0 ... isast.html

[Otis Westinghouse]

... about what sounds like horrendous mismanagement rather than the 'spectacular' contents. That link is worth checking for the Lou & Elv 'Set The Twilight Reeling' French TV YouTube clip, which I hadn't seen before. Don't know the song (I adore the Velvets but have only a sporadic knowledge of solo Lou, especially post-Berlin). May '96. Shame it cuts out the talk at either end.

[ReadyToHearTheWorst]

Here's an (I think) more complete MPG of the same French TV moment:
http://www.4shared.com/file/34974427/9a2ce4f7/1996_-_