Elvis and Imposters play Louisville, KY on May 7, 2008

[sweetest punch]

Elvis and the Imposters play the Louisville Palace in Louisville on May 7, 2008.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/16004 ... orcatid=60

http://www.louisvillepalace.com/

[burgundy breakfast]

Anyone else going to this show? I can't wait!

[johnfoyle]

Anyone else going?

[johnfoyle]

Preview in local 'paper -

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbc ... 8805050329

and

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbc ... 8805020352

His aim is true
Recover from Derby with Elvis Costello

By Jeffrey Lee Puckett • jpuckett@courier-journal.com • May 2, 2008

Elvis Costello has created a body of work that has already cemented his legend. He could stop now. He could have stopped 15 years ago.


But Costello has just released a new album, "Momofuku," that he recorded quickly with his band, The Imposters, and is back on the road. He performs Wednesday at the Louisville Palace (8 p.m., $44.50).

Costello probably couldn't have come to town at a worse time. The never-ending parade of Derby entertainment, and the inevitable post-Derby crash, has taken the shine off his appearance.

That's a shame, because we're talking about one of the finest songwriters and most expressive singers rock 'n' roll has ever produced. From his 1977 debut, "My Aim is True," to his recent experiments with orchestral works and jazz, Costello has been relentless and restless.

And he hasn't performed in Louisville with a full band in many years; his last appearance was as a two-piece with keyboardist Steve Nieve, a riveting show that only hinted at the power of a fully electrified Costello.

Like Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and a handful of others, Costello has defined what it means to be a career musician, to always nurture that elusive spark of creativity and inspiration. We're lucky to have him.

[burgundy breakfast]

Awesome show tonight. I'll post my about it tomorrow. Here's the setlist:

Stella Hurt
Lipstick Vogue
Everyday I Write The Book
Veronica
Red Shoes
Harry Worth
Drum and Bone
Flutter and Wow
Bedlam
Country Darkness
Monkey to Man
Pardon Me Madam, My Name Is Eve
Femme Fatale
No Hiding Place
Turpentine
Watching the Detectives
American Gangster Time
Beyond Belief
The Impostor
Radio Radio

Allison
Song With Rose
My Three Sons
Man Out Of Time

Mr. Feathers
Pump It Up

Go Away
Peace Love & Understanding/The Kids Are Alright

[gft1776]

I know this girl named Brigid Kaelin. She plays locally in different bands. She left a note for EC at a local radio station saying "I love your music. If you need an accordion player tonight, call me." He called her and she ended up taking the stage to "femme fatale," and stayed up for an other song. He brought her back up during the encore and she played accordion on "Pump it up" and played saw on some other song. Elvis seemed to really enjoy the whole experience and there were really magical moments. I would say it was the happiest experience of her life and she played wonderfully.

[pophead2k]

Talk about a dream/fantasy come true! Good for her- that is a wonderful story.

[burgundy breakfast]

She played the saw on Mr. Feathers too. It was great, the crowd was loving it.

[migdd]

Thanks for the setlist, burgundy breakfast! Sounds like a great show with quite a few different selections from the previous night in Knoxville. Interestingly, both Monkey to Man and Country Darkness were on the "reserve" portion of the official Knoxville setlist, but were not played on that night. And you guys got Bedlam, as well! Always love that one for the chance to watch Pete play it, his arms a blur!

[burgundy breakfast]

Thanks for the setlist, burgundy breakfast! Sounds like a great show with quite a few different selections from the previous night in Knoxville. Interestingly, both Monkey to Man and Country Darkness were on the "reserve" portion of the official Knoxville setlist, but were not played on that night. And you guys got Bedlam, as well! Always love that one for the chance to watch Pete play it, his arms a blur!

I was hoping to hear Clown Strike, but really I can't complain. As always, the band were on fire.

[martinfoyle]

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... =391716825

Thursday, May 08, 2008


Elvis. Oh. My. God.
Current mood: indescribable

Text message, from Mom, received 4:37pm: Omg

First, let me point out that my Mom wrote "Omg" in a text message.

I was still grinning madly in my car when I read the message, stopped at a red-light on Broadway, on my way to the Palace Theatre, for a soundcheck with .... ELVIS COSTELLO.

You know how you have a wireless internet connection in your house? And you get to name it? Well, mine is named Elvis. And the password is Costello. For years, that's been the code. If you know where I live, swing by and use my wireless internet. I figure if my neighbors are cool enough to guess the password, -- most people guess "Graceland" -- then they are cool enough to use my internet.

Anyway, the point of that is that I am a HUGE Elvis Costello fan, and I have been for quite some time.

I don't know where to begin in this blog. I should explain how this all came about, but right now I want to recap the nights' events before I forget.

So I'll start with the voicemail.

"Brigid, This is, uh, Elvis Costello. I'm down at the radio station here, and I've been given your number. You wanna give me a call? --. That's --. Bye now."

I'm not sure what came over me, but an overwhelming sense of confidence. I immediately returned the call, and he answered on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Hi there, it's Brigid, your accordion player."

"Brigid, darling, how are you?"

"Fantastic, thank you, you?"

There was some brief chit-chat, and he asked if I could be at sound check at 4:30. No problem. I hung up the phone.

Then I screamed. I screamed, and I squealed. I jumped up and down like I was in a Molly Ringwald movie and the popular boy just asked me out. I continued to scream. I went outside to see if there was a neighbor or someone I could tell.

* * *

4:30ish

Laura Shine mentions on the air that I will be playing with Elvis Costello at the Palace that night, which fuels the "Omg" text message from my mom. And about 10 phone calls from random musicians who want to play with me at the Palace, who don't understand that I'm not opening for him ... that I am going to be an Imposter! Well, an imposter Imposter.

I'm canceling my afternoon's lessons and calling Peter Searcy to get him to bring me my electric accordion, which I had left in his studio.

This town is so small. Word spreads quickly. My phone is ringing like mad. It will die shortly there-after from responding to text messages. (Sorry i didn't respond)

* * *

So I am whisked into the Palace by several production managers. The Imposters are on-stage already, but Mr. Costello is not there yet. The guitar tech, Bobby, is tuning up Elvis's twelve beautiful guitars, including a 1956 Les Paul and a brand new Taylor 12-string. So beautiful. Jeff, the soundman, asks me if my accordion is electric (yes), and he breathes a sigh of relief.

I mill around a bit backstage at the Palace, which is the most beautiful theatre I've ever been in. It's built to look like an Italian villa, with the ceiling charmed to look like the night sky (just like the dining hall at Hogwarts). I introduce myself to the Imposters, who are super-nice, although Steve Nieve doesn't seem as thrilled about my presence as the rest. I don't care. Steve Nieve is my hero. I learned to play rock-n-roll keyboards by listening to him and Chuck Leavell. I am meeting Steve Nieve!!!

Then I hear a beautiful voice asking, "Is she here yet?" Just as he asks this, Elvis Costello turns his head and looks right at me. I smile widely (actually, I don't think I had stopped smiling since his voicemail) and shake his hand.

"So good to meet you," I say.

"Thank you so much for coming down here," he says. Really, now. Imagine this. Elvis Costello is thanking ME for coming down to soundcheck. As my mom might text: Wtf????

I am re-introduced to the band, and then step aside while the boys soundcheck. Then it is my turn. What song am I playing? I'm not sure, but I don't care. This is why I learned all of my scales in piano lessons years ago.

Elvis looks at me and says: "B-flat."

And he launches into a three-quarter-time version of Lou Reed's "Femme Fatale." He even looks over and whispers in my ear, "It's just 1-4 in the solo part." I am in heaven.

I think at first he thought it would be fun to have a local musician play, but during soundcheck, he figured out that I really am a professional musician -- not just a girl in pigtails with a gimmick.

My favorite thing in the world is playing in other people's bands. I love performing my own stuff, but if you've ever seen me play in Peter Searcy's band, you've seen that same goofy ol' grin I have on my face when we are making music.

Good music with good people. That's all I want.

* * *

Dinner.

So Patrick, the production manager, graciously invited me to dine with everyone downstairs for a catered meal. I didn't much feel like eating, but how could I refuse?

I headed downstairs where the Imposters were lingering around the buffet line. They joked about the hazing rituals for new Imposters. Pete was first to the food, but I followed right after and helped myself to a plate of green beans and potatoes that I barely touched. There were several tables, but I sat with the boys in the band. Elvis was not around, and I figured he would eat in his own dressing room.

He came in and sat down right next to me, with a typed and printed set list, and immediately started talking about what songs should be cut/added. It was a totally normal thing to happen before a show. Peter Searcy and I do this every night on the road. Honestly, this didn't feel any different, except that I had never played any of the songs before. Talking to Elvis or Steve was completely normal, and I wasn't the slightest bit nervous. Every few minutes, I had to remind myself that I was eating dinner next to Elvis Costello and sitting at the same table as the Imposters.

We got to talking about bands I play in, and my new record, and other accordion players he knew in Nashville. We talked about a polka player we both knew, and I mentioned that I had played a party several months back with this polka player and Cowboy Jack Clement. Elvis exclaimed, "Cowboy Jack?! Have you seen his movie? Do you know him?"

"Yes, I do. I've got his number; should we call him?"

We didn't call, but i told the story how I had played musical saw with Cowboy Jack Clement.

And that's when Elvis Costello said to me, Brigid Kaelin (oh my freakin' god!!), "You play the musical saw? Do you have it with you?"

So he grabbed a guitar, and we rushed to a rehearsal room to jam on the musical saw. We talked more, and Elvis realized that I am indeed a professional musician, not just some chick with a CD, and said I should probably play on more than one song. I, of course, agreed!
Then Steve Nieve, the king of the theremin, was interested in the acoustic theremin, AKA the musica saw, so I gave him a brief lesson.
Steve Nieve plays the musical saw

I think Steve was opening a bit more. I hadn't yet told him that he was my hero. Some things you have to keep to yourself. For a while.

Anyway, we decided to play "Mr. Feathers" during the encore on the saw, and Jeff the amazing soundman set up microphones and we soundchecked the saw.

(By the way, I am still freaking out. Right now. As I type this. I haven't come down. I just ran into my friend Judd at Heine Brothers and passed some of my crazy energy on to him. eek! eek! I played with Elvis Costello last night!)

* * *

The show.

Elvis Costello and the Imposters took the stage at 8:04. No opener.

I went out in the audience to listen, but I immediately went backstage. Why? Because, although it sounded better out front, I didn't have a close-up of Steve Nieve's fingers. I stood by Bobby the amazing guitar tech all night and watched Steve work his genius.

I sang along backstage to "Veronica" and "Red Shoes," and clapped enthusiastically like a big nerd. No one backstage is supposed to clap, ha. But i didn't care.

Then, he says something like: "So I was down at the radio station today, WFPK (well he said WFPX at first, but Su in the front row corrected him, so all's well), and they told me about this local girl who plays a demon piano accordion." And I could hear the screams from the side of the stage. (Thank you !!!!!!!) "So we thought we'd bring her out to play a little. Please welcome Brigid Kaelin."

I strutted out with my accordion and my red shoes. The angels definitely wanted to wear my red shoes because I tell you, heaven can't possibly be any better than where I was at that very moment. Standing ovations before I started, Elvis grinning ear-to-ear, and me ready to rock.

So we played "Femme Fatale," and the whole crowd screamed during my solos, and he did this a cappella part at the end where we all went off-mic and just sung that part of the song "she's a femme fatale she's a femme fatale" and i kept looking down and seeing people i knew and wondering how they got such great seats then looking to my left and seeing elvis costello wink at me and thinking holy hell, I am on stage.!!!!!!

Aaaaaaaack!

But still, I wasn't nervous. I'm more nervous right now, blogging about it. Last night on stage, it was pure music. I was playing great music with phenomenal people. To the most appreciative audience I've ever encountered. In the most beautiful city. In the most beautiful theatre.

As i floated off the stage, I heard Elvis say, "We're gonna bring her back later to play something else."

He rocked the show away, and I came back during the second encore.... with my MUSICAL SAW chair in place.

Positioning yourself in a skirt, seated, with your legs spread enough to hold a saw, is a feat in itself. But then Elvis started the creepy little tune off his new record. It reminded me a lot of "God's Comic," which is a personal favorite of mine. "Mr. Feathers" was awesome.

Those of you who took pictures -- please email them to me at brigid@brigidkaelin.com
Please!!!

After "Mr. Feathers," Elvis whispered in my ear, "Now let's play some rock and roll," in that dreamy accent. I picked up the accordion and he started into "Pump it Up."

I mouthed to the fabulous bass player from across the stage, "What key?"

"B." (Thanks, Davey!)

And did we ever pump it up.

The crowd was jumping, the band was rocking, and I was right next to Steve Nieve again, who was playing brilliant little riffs.

Being far more comfortable talking with my hero on-stage than I was in the dressing room, I decided to have a little fun with Mr. Nieve. He was playing a little riff. And I repeated it right back to him on my accordion. He did another one, and I repeated it back. This time he noticed. He looked at me cock-eyed, like he was almost about to smile. He played something more complicated. I gave it right back. Then we had a little game of call-and-response between the organ and the accordion. I rocked a bit. Elvis came over and stood right next to me as I ripped into a solo. He also introduced the band during the rock-out portion of the song. Davey on bass. Pete on drums. Steve ..boards. And Brigid on musical saw and accordion. I got a freakin' BAND introduction!!!! I was an Imposter for a night! An Imposter Imposter, I guess, but an Imposter nonetheless.

And at the end of the song, as I was unplugging, Steve Nieve turned to me and said, "Do you need me to carry that off-stage for you?" He grabbed my accordion from me, and scurried off-stage.

Oh My God, Steve Nieve just carried my accordion off stage.

I think I love him.

That's when I decided to tell him, "Steve, you are my hero. I didn't want to tell you that earlier. But seriously, playing with you has been the coolest part of all of this.

Hugs all around backstage, and they rushed back for two more rockers. I ran out into the crowd to jump and scream and sing, "Peace, Love, and Understanding," at the top of my lungs.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, Elvis Costello, for being adventurous and for being a real musician. And thank you, Steve, Davey, and Pete, for allowing me into your magical world for an evening.

Oh yeah, those angels DEFINITELY wanna wear my red shoes.

[migdd]

That's about the coolest thing I've ever read!!
You go Brigid!!!!

[so lacklustre]

Wow!

[invisible Pole]

What a great story !
I can't even imagine being in her place (not least because I can't play the accordion).
I'd probably drop dead right there on the stage.

[johnfoyle]

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... D=31481525


Brigid Kaelin, Steve Nieve, and Elvis Costello

[johnfoyle]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbc ... 80018/1010


Elvis Costello pumps it up

By Jeffrey Lee Puckett
jpuckett@courier-journal.com

May 8, 2008

Elvis Costello has always had a gift for finding the perfect collaborators, from Nick Lowe to George Jones to Burt Bacharach. But he had to come to Louisville to find a flaming redhead prodigious on both the accordion and musical saw.

That would be Brigid Kaelin, who managed to steal at least a little of Costello's show Wednesday at the Louisville Palace -- if not a little of his heart. Diana Krall might want to watch her back. Kaelin left a mash note for Costello at WFPK's studios Wednesday afternoon, where he was doing an interview, and that typically sassy move led to an invitation to play accordion on the Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale." And that led to a saw solo -- that's right, a saw solo -- on "Mr. Feathers" and an accordion-keyboard duel with Steve Nieve on "Pump It Up." Costello even included her in the band introductions, always a nice addition to a musician's resume.

It was all a charming exclamation point to an already stellar show that saw an energized Costello lead his band, The Imposters, on a tour through his storied catalog. No one there needed a reminder that Costello is one of his generation's finest songwriters, but it never hurts to hear 2½ hours of solid proof. This was a rock 'n' roll show, and Costello's powerful voice and guitar were the focus while The Imposters were his ideal complement. The rhythm section of Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher never wavered, while Nieve whipped up all kinds of strange magic.

The main set had a couple of lulls, but "Radio Radio," Costello's famous diatribe against the music industry's infrastructure, wasn't one of them. Costello delivered it with nearly the same gusto as he did 30 years ago and, sadly, for good reason; he still can't get played on anything other than public radio.

All three encores were superb, highlighted by a gorgeous solo acoustic version of "Alison," an elegantly subtle "Man Out of Time," a blazing "Pump It Up" and a celebratory "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" that ended the night on an adrenaline rush.

Reporter Jeffrey Lee Puckett can be reached at (502) 582-4160.

[johnfoyle]

Blog account -
http://sciencevandal.blogspot.com/2008/ ... tello.html

- including this -


Alright , just don't let Hillary see this...

[verbal gymnastics]

That's about the coolest thing I've ever read!!
You go Brigid!!!!

I would have to agree with that.

What a fantastic story and dream come true.

I think next time I meet Elvis I'll tell him that his twin sons can fight for my baby daughter

[johnfoyle]

Brief bits have surfaced-

Elvis Costello & Brigid Kaelin -- "Pump it Up" 5/7/08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ryKPRd ... -5708.html

Elvis Costello & Brigid Kaelin -- "Femme Fatale" 5/7/08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnEst6JP ... re=related

Elvis Costello & Brigid Kaelin -- "Mr. Feathers" musical saw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4LEcFHM ... re=related

[johnfoyle]

http://www.acousticedinburgh.com/2011/1 ... -headline/

Acoustic Edinburgh – Tue Dec 6th 2011 – Abagail Grey headline
2011 November 27
by Si

( extract)

It’s the last Acoustic Edinburgh of the year, and we’re seeing the year out with a very special show! Not one, but two touring bands are stopping into The Third Door on their way through Edinburgh, and both are unmissable.

As if this wasn’t enough (!) we have the singer, accordionist, sawista, pianista, yodeller, and redhead, Brigid Kaelin (her words, not mine!). Newly relocated to Edinburgh from Nashville, she is properly brilliant – last time I saw her she was wowing the customers of Favorit in the small hours by playing an impromptu set on the saw, but she has also played in on stage with Elvis Costello.

http://www.brigidkaelin.com/Site/Home.html