Elvis Costello has done a lot of duets in his time. He’s been around so long now, and worked in so many different genres, that there’s really not a thing he hasn’t done in the music business.
His stellar album The Delivery Man, a concept album about a love triangle in the deep south, contains three duets: two with Emmylou Harris (who must appear as a backup/second singer on far more songs than she sings on her own) and this one with Lucinda Williams.
The Costello/Harris tunes are lovely, lilting things but I’m far more intrigued by this raucous, deep-fried country carnival of a song. Williams, one of my very favorite artists, is dangerously close to unhinged here — she sounds like a woman who’d greet you with a shotgun in her lap when you show up late without a good excuse. I love it.
As in just about all of Costello’s songs, there are great lines throughout. Among my favorites is this early couplet: “Cos somebody put the hurt in you for everyone to see, and you only have to speak to tell your fortune.”
By the way, the only clip I could find of this song is a video dedication to Sawyer on Lost, so that should please some of my readers.
Late January/early February can’t arrive soon enough.
Oh, was I supposed to notice the song? Sorry. Focused now. Their voices work well together, and I enjoyed the song (esp. her woohoo at the end). Still, I adore Elvis and Emmylou’s duet on “The Scarlet Tide” from Cold Mountain, so I wish you would have chosen it (though I would have missed the Sawyer tribute). I’m rooting for an appearance this week by our favorite musical comedy duo, Lyle and Randy.
(You know I have to try to anticipate some of your selections in every theme week).
Yeah, I should have known that video could be distracting.
I considered Randy and Lyle (had a couple options) but didn’t go there. Not this week, anyway.
good pick. This was probably my first introduction to Luncinda.
Enjoyed this on all levels.