On a Sunday night in September, which is always a risky bet with an older crowd during football season, Elvis Costello played songs from his “early years”. The setlist was cool, and included some of my personal favorites like “Every Day I Write The Book”. I had purchased cheap seats for this one during the presale, which turned out to be the very last row a little right center of stage. The view was fine but the sound was kind of off for us and Elvis’ voice was not stellar this night as it seemed like he was struggling vocally a little. It was a pretty full house and the audience was clearly predominantly Elvis Costello fans who were attentative and appreciative throughout. I too am an Elvis Costello fan from way back; our friend Beefsteak Charlie chef John would play us the latest New Wave bands and albums in his apartment which was located above a store in Douglaston, Queens where he could crank up the volume to all hours of the night and he introduced to Elvis music early on.
I have seen Costello perform many times since about 1981, and even saw him recently at the Newport Jazz Festival a couple of years ago when he opened with “Watching the Detecives” at Fort Adams Park.
I am a big Elvis fan as well, and the setlist for this tour was great, but unfortunately the sound for me this Tilles Center concert left me slightly unsatisfied.

Radio, Radio

Rock on!

GQ