Tag Archives: Wise Up Ghost

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Song of the Day #5,133: ‘(She Might Be A) Grenade’ – Elvis Costello and The Roots

Elvis Costello loves to keep his fans guessing. This is the man who released an album of country music covers in between two of his poppiest efforts in the 80s. And an album recorded with a string quartet a decade later.

He has released collaborative albums with vocalist Anne Sofie von Otter, New Orleans R&B legend Allen Toussaint, Netherlands ensemble the Metropole Orkest, jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, symphonic composer Richard Harvey, and esteemed songwriter Burt Bacharach. None of those albums sound alike, nor do they sound like any of the “regular” albums Costello dropped in between them.

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Song of the Day #2,023: ‘Wake Me Up’ – Elvis Costello & The Roots

wise_up_ghost_costello_rootsGuest blogger Dana concludes… (and thanks for taking the reins for the past two weeks!)

Dana’s Best Songs of 2013
Elvis Costello & The Roots – ‘Wake Me Up’

 
Well, I guess I am nothing if not predictable in placing Mr. Costello number one on my “best of” list, though there have certainly been years in the recent path where his output might not have merited such high praise.

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Song of the Day #1,977: ‘Sugar Won’t Work’ – Elvis Costello and The Roots

wise_up_ghost_costello_rootsBest Songs of 2013 – #15

Elvis Costello has pulled a lot of tricks out of his bag over the past decade plus, really stretching the boundaries of what a popular artist can get away with.

Teaming up with The Roots? Well, to borrow a phrase from the man himself, you couldn’t call it unexpected. Not for a guy who’s put out classical, jazz and country albums over a three year span.

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Song of the Day #1,930: ‘Tripwire’ – Elvis Costello and The Roots

wise_up_ghost_costello_rootsIf Elvis Costello didn’t have such a wide-ranging, eclectic career, his teaming up with The Roots might come as a left-field surprise.

While I can’t say that I would have predicted this match-up, it certainly doesn’t fall outside the range of things Costello might do. If his next release includes a duet with Alison Gold of ‘Chinese Food’ fame, I’ll nod and think “yeah, that makes some sense.”

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