Today’s Random Weekend selection is a demo version of one of my favorite Elvis Costello songs, ‘Riot Act.’
In his liner notes for two separate re-releases of Get Happy!!, the album on which ‘Riot Act’ appeared, Costello has high praise for this version.
This is his take:
In 1979, Costello stirred up controversy and damaged his career with some drunken racist remarks about Ray Charles and James Brown. He made them in a bar during a fight with some other musicians and days later saw them plastered on the news.
His next album, Get Happy, was a collection of 20 quick-burst soul songs that many listeners read as a reaction to the embarrassing episode. Get Happy is also one part of my Costello Holy Trinity — the three albums I consider his most spectacular achievements (I’ll reveal the other two as they come up chronologically).
Meet Me In Montauk 