Just a year after Momofuku, Elvis Costello returned with a modest acoustic collection. 2009’s Secret, Profane & Sugarcane was recorded in Nashville with T Bone Burnett, and was Costello’s first totally acoustic album since King of America.
Call this one King of Americana. Costello tours the old American songbook, trying his hand at country blues and bluegrass, and his affection for these styles shines through every note. This album is a grower… it’s the opposite of hook-heavy, and some of its songs meander a little too much for repeated listening. But I admire what he’s doing here and at the very least, it’s a beautiful sounding album.
Among my favorites is ‘I Felt the Chill Before the Winter Came,’ a track co-written with Loretta Lynn. I love the idea of the 77-year-old county music matriarch sitting down with a caustic Brit like Costello to pen a lovesick ode like this one. I bet they got along great.
And there’s a sadness in your eyes that you can’t hide
Why do you tremble when I hold you?
I wonder if you feel the same
I felt the chill before the winter came
But it’s easy to say that I won’t give in again
I was just tempted for a moment and then some
But it’s so easy when you love to lose control
Now look here if you will
At the faithful man you stole
I felt the chill before the winter came
I suffered the guilt and then accepted the blame
I wanted you before you ever spoke my name
But I knew that we would go wrong
Just as they do in all in those old tragic songs
Did that melody haunt your mind?
Just like a linger of perfume
Now you’re in someone else’s arms
Locked up in another room
Is there’s a difference in the way that he loves you
Is there still sadness in your eyes, you can’t deny?
Do you tremble and sigh when he holds you just like I do?
What were you thinking of to throw away our love?
And it’ s easy to say that you won’t give in again
You were just tempted for a moment and half
But it’ s so hard when you desire to lose control
I don’t know what this feeling is but it sure seems cold
I felt the chill before the winter came
I suffered the pain and then accepted the shame
I will have lost your love by end of this sad refrain
I felt the cold creeping over my skin
Still as the air until the wind rushed in
Still in control, holding on to my heart and soul
Only inches from sin
Meet Me In Montauk 
Here’s another example of an album I was unable to play to a point of familiarity before he released National Ransom. Of the two albums, I like Ransom better. While both delve into the waters of “country,” Sugarcane has a bit more of the traditional country fare that I just don’t really ultimately care for, while Ransom is a bit more diverse.
This song is perfectly lovely, but doesn’t hold a candle to anything on King of America.
Thinking of Elvis Costello sitting down with Loretta Lynn calls to my mind, for some odd reason, the video I shared a couple of weeks ago where Glen Hansard talks about his meeting with Van Morrison. Of course, Glen Hansard, especially during the time of the anecdote, is NO Elvis Costello. Still, both he and Costello are tremendous musicians who have none of the pretentiousness and cockiness that often comes with that sort of talent. Rather, both look to their predecessors with admiration, looking to learn from those masters rather than just to rebel against them.
I love that Elvis Costello used Spectacle to share some of those musical influences. Whether Loretta Lynn falls on that list, I have no idea, but I agree that this collaboration was likely a fine one for both of them.