View Full Version : Elvis Costello and Mike Compton
Don Grieser
May-14-2009, 2:41pm
Mike Compton will be touring with Elvis Costello in June. I guess TBone Burnett produced an album of Elvis playing with Mike, Jerry Douglas, and some other Nashville cats. I plan to catch their show at the Telluride BG Festival in June.
Sure hope it's better than the David Lee Roth thing from a couple of years ago.
JEStanek
May-14-2009, 2:46pm
I have faith it would be a great show. I'll keep an eye out for it in Philly.
Jamie
Don Grieser
May-14-2009, 2:53pm
David Lee Roth is not exactly in the same league as Elvis.
Chris Biorkman
May-14-2009, 2:59pm
David Lee Roth is not exactly in the same league as Elvis.
Totally, he looks way better in spandex.
SternART
May-14-2009, 5:04pm
Elvis' wife certainly does......
mandopete
May-14-2009, 5:19pm
John Reischman told me that he ran into Elvis on a ferry boat up there in British Columbia and that he struck up a conversation with him. John said Elvis was very down to earth and personable and that he was very interested in bluegrass music. John said he gave Elvis a copy of one of the Jaybirds CD's.
I also note that Elvis appears on at least one the tracks on the new Charlie Haden CD, which is country/bluegrass. So to hear that he would tour with Mike Compton makes perfect sense.
Good onya Elvis!
mandolooter
May-15-2009, 7:58am
http://www.elviscostellofans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7561
Here's a snippet from his fan base page.
Here's some info on his new album coming out on June 2nd.
http://elviscostello.com/news/journal.php
This has got the possibilty of being pretty good. Jerry Douglas (dobro), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Mike Compton (mandolin), Jeff Taylor (accordion) and Dennis Crouch (double bass), are among the musicians. Jim Lauderdale sings the primary harmony and Emmylou Harris sings harmony on one song.
Elvis has been a country fan all his life and if you've ever heard the "Almost Blue album you know the boy can sing it pretty well. His rendition of "Good Year For The Roses" is better than George Jones's IMO. I'm looking forward to see what he can do in the string band genre.
JimRichter
May-15-2009, 8:31am
It's good stuff. Mike told me about this project a few months ago and it's one I definitely want to see. Local college radio station is already playing the single from the album--sounds real good. I've always loved Costello, so hearing Mike in that context is a treat. And, frankly, anything TBone Burnett touches is golden.
mtucker
May-15-2009, 9:06am
Elvis for sure is the real deal, and I agree AStern, his wife ain't too shabby either. Both very talented. Thanks for the headsup.
Dan Johnson
May-15-2009, 11:48am
reminds me of Costello at Merlefest a few years ago ('07)... Main stage, was it Friday night? Must have been because Tony Rice and Allison Krause must have done The Saturday Big Show... Costello was a weird fit, to my thinking, at first. He started by himself with a big Gibson John Lennon (?) doing these sentimental, wordy, ironic songs. Not exactly what I expected, but... Anyways, he kept on bringing out musicians, one at a time, and by the end of his set, he just blew the top off the place... It was awesome.
Mike Romkey
May-29-2009, 7:05pm
Mike's discombobulated because he has to use a DI box. I feel his pain. Check out the Elvis' website for the tour. Great Southern gothic. Look forward to seeing Mike in T'ride during the usual eclectic festival. If I can buy you a Fat Tire, Don, or any of the rest of you, give me a holler. We're staying in town with a gaggle of musicians. 563-940-0508 -- call or text.
Brad Weiss
May-29-2009, 8:07pm
I'm catching the tour here in Raleigh (OK, Cary) NC in a few weeks. Can't wait! Elvis has huge respect for all sorts of American music traditions, from Chet Baker to Burt Bacharach (they made some killer records), to say nothing of some avant garde classical stuff. I'm sure it will be more than interesting.
Elvis, Mike Compton, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan and the rest of the Sugarcanes are scheduled to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman on June 4th. I imagine they'll be doing something from the new album, which should be worthy of an extra cup of coffee Friday morning.
Don Grieser
Jun-02-2009, 9:34pm
Hey Geno,
Thanks for the tip! I'm staying up. The new album is out; I just downloaded it today on iTunes and got the booklet and everything. It's great to hear Compton in a different setting like this. Great Costello songs as always.
Don
Sinclair Baldassari
Jun-02-2009, 10:27pm
I am going to the show here in Nashvegas. My seats are in the second row and I think I have an extra ticket...anybody want to join us? Remember, Elvis is my favorite musician ( well, second favorite!) and Butch and I had a great experience meeting him last year. I need to find that photo in the bracelet shots.
Don Grieser
Jun-03-2009, 8:34pm
Compton says he's not on the Letterman show Thursday with Elvis if it's a new one, but I guess I'll stay up anyway. Compton says he will be on the Tonight Show with Elvis on the 23rd of June. :mandosmiley:
Hi, I'm going to Tellurude with two Czech friends - mandolin players - Martin Krajicek (http://www.myspace.com/martinkrajicek) and Miroslav Vana (http://www.myspace.com/vanamandolins) so we will luckily catch the show there : -)
Brad Weiss
Jun-15-2009, 10:41am
This show is a blast!!! Tremendous performances from Duncan, Mike Compton has some wonderful, complimentary picking, and Jerry Douglas IS the man. And Elvis just kept singing one great tune after another - the encore alone was about 6 tunes!
Go if you can.
JimRichter
Jun-15-2009, 11:21pm
I've always been a fan of Elvis C. and this is one of his best albums in a long time. The album is pure genius and Mike, Duncan, Douglas, et al are gravy on the potatoes. Excellent excellent album.
I'm going to catch them in Dayton in August. Out of curiosity, are they doing any of Elvis' old stuff like Allison or Red Shoes? It'll be a blast to hear Compton playing on Pump It Up!
Rick Schmidlin
Jun-16-2009, 12:51am
To bad Elvis lost his voice. If you watched his TV show everytime he opens his mouth it strained and off key. He mad a mess of Lou Reeds peformance. I live in Vancouver and will not pay to see Elvis. Er..... Mike Compton that's another thing.
mandolirius
Jun-16-2009, 1:40am
<To bad Elvis lost his voice. If you watched his TV show everytime he opens his mouth it strained and off key.>
How would you know? I thought you were tone deaf.
man dough nollij
Jun-16-2009, 4:51am
[QUOTE=mandolirius;679236How would you know? I thought you were tone deaf.[/QUOTE]
Touche. Response?
Brad Weiss
Jun-16-2009, 6:05am
Out of curiosity, are they doing any of Elvis' old stuff like Allison or Red Shoes? It'll be a blast to hear Compton playing on Pump It Up!
No Pump it Up (classic!), but LOTS of oldies: Everyday I Write the Book, Brilliant Mistake, Blame it on Cain, and the encore included Red Shoes, Alison, AND Peace Love and Understanding.
helluva show
mandopete
Jun-16-2009, 9:37am
Here's a link to an interview with the angry young man on NPR:
Interview on NPR (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105326845)
Rick Schmidlin
Jun-16-2009, 11:29am
<To bad Elvis lost his voice. If you watched his TV show everytime he opens his mouth it strained and off key.>
How would you know? I thought you were tone deaf.
I can hear off key, I saw Elvis first every American tour. He is not what he used to be:(
Mike Bunting
Jun-16-2009, 12:30pm
I can hear off key, I saw Elvis first every American tour. He is not what he used to be:(
Then you are not tone deaf.
Brad Weiss
Jun-16-2009, 1:06pm
I can hear off key, I saw Elvis first every American tour. He is not what he used to be:(
Let me just say 1) having just seen this show and 2) having been a HUGE fan in 1977, and followed that first tour pretty closely that I respectfully disagree. Not flaming here, just my considered opinion.
Rick Schmidlin
Jun-16-2009, 1:21pm
Let me just say 1) having just seen this show and 2) having been a HUGE fan in 1977, and followed that first tour pretty closely that I respectfully disagree. Not flaming here, just my considered opinion.
Just the tour date in Albany N.Y, the same year I saw the first US tours of The Dire Straights and The Police. All small clubs.i like Elvis when he does his own thing he just can't really sing with others that well.
Mike Bunting
Jun-16-2009, 1:44pm
You didnt get to ride in his car then?
Rick Schmidlin
Jun-16-2009, 1:45pm
You didnt get to ride in his car then?
Nope, but I was in a car once with Doc Watson (really)
mandopete
Jun-16-2009, 3:54pm
I too pine for the good ol' days of an Armed Forces or a Get Happy recording with The Attractions. Elvis sure has gone through a lot a phases in his long career and some I liked and others not so much.
My jury is kind of out on this one. I need to hear the recording a bit more, but what I've heard so far didn't thrill me too much. I like the Hank Williams tune he did on the recording with Charlie Haden.
Anyone here been watching his T.V. interview show called "Spectacle"? I less than thrilled by that one as well. Seems like he sort of answers his own questions.
Brad Weiss
Jun-16-2009, 7:19pm
Good review (http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/1570248.html) of said show...
:mandosmiley:
Mandoblab
Jun-16-2009, 7:29pm
I have been a fan of Elvis Costello since I saw him on his first American tour and he issued "My Aim is True."
This is a really fine album (oops, I mean CD!). However, despite my appreciation for Jerry Douglas, I wish Elvis had mixed Mike Compton further up, Jerry Douglas a bit further back, and had given Mike a couple of solo breaks. Jerry is featured and Mike is only given the task of providing mandolin "color."
Mandoblab
Mike Bunting
Jun-16-2009, 8:47pm
Easy money for Mike!
Brad Weiss
Jun-17-2009, 5:48am
I have been a fan of Elvis Costello since I saw him on his first American tour and he issued "My Aim is True."
This is a really fine album (oops, I mean CD!). However, despite my appreciation for Jerry Douglas, I wish Elvis had mixed Mike Compton further up, Jerry Douglas a bit further back, and had given Mike a couple of solo breaks. Jerry is featured and Mike is only given the task of providing mandolin "color."
Mandoblab
All true. Too bad- but still fine music.
DavidHowell
Jun-23-2009, 11:30pm
Elvis Costello is on the tonight show along with a mandolin player.
journeybear
Jun-24-2009, 12:17am
Well, Mike was there, as promised, but he didn't get to do much. Most of the fill work and the lead were provided by Stuart Duncan on fiddle. Jim Lauderdale played guitar and sang, as he had when EC was on Letterman June 4th - that appearance also featured some nice slide work on a National steel guitar instead of fiddle. Anyway, nice to see such a fine mandolin on TV, a rare occurrence. :mandosmiley:
Soupy1957
Jun-24-2009, 4:22am
"Secret, Profane & Sugarcane," Elvis Costello's most recent release, includes the following artists:
(FYI)
* Elvis Costello - vocals, acoustic guitar
* Dennis Crouch - double bass
* Stuart Duncan - fiddle
* Jerry Douglas - dobro
* Jeff Taylor - accordion
* Mike Compton - mandolin
* Jim Lauderdale - harmony & background vocals
* T Bone Burnett - electric guitar
* Emylou Harris - harmony vocal
My history with Elvis Costello goes back to "The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes" and "Alison" and other songs from those years. Lately, (the last 15 years or so), he's gone in a TON of different directions, some that I've liked, and some that I haven't cared for.
The songs on the afore mentioned latest CD are full of bizzare key changes, (not in all the songs, but in a number of them) and the tempo of the lyrics in some of the songs is confusing. Typical Elvis C. adaptations, IMHO.
I picked up a CD not long ago, of a famous Jazz Bass player, who as a child, had done a lot of family "old country" music, (I'll see if I can find his CD today, for the sake of specificity, should someone want to know who it was), who was re-visiting the music again, at the behest of friends. He was joined by his lovely daughters on the CD, and other musicians, including Elvis C.. I remember hearing E.C.'s contribution to it, and not liking it. There's just something "Leon Redbone" about E.C. that doesn't (IMHO) lend itself to Bluegrass well.
onassis
Jun-24-2009, 8:41am
I've come to the realization that EC will always just sound like EC, no matter WHAT genre of music he may be playing. Be that good or bad. I really like him, but sometimes he gets a real "square peg/round hole" thing going.
Mike Bunting
Jun-24-2009, 10:07am
I picked up a CD not long ago, of a famous Jazz Bass player, who as a child, had done a lot of family "old country" music, (I'll see if I can find his CD today, for the sake of specificity, should someone want to know who it was),
Charlie Haden.
Soupy1957
Jun-24-2009, 3:44pm
Mike: THAT'S IT!!! Thanks.........
Brad Weiss
Jun-24-2009, 4:21pm
I've come to the realization that EC will always just sound like EC, no matter WHAT genre of music he may be playing. Be that good or bad. I really like him, but sometimes he gets a real "square peg/round hole" thing going.
When we were at the show last week, my wife turned to me after three bars (of "Mystery Train"!) and said "Ooh, it sounds just like Elvis Costello!" That's a GOOD thing in my book.
Well, I think his voice spoils most things he does. I agree wholeheartedly that Alison, etc. were really beautiful but a lot of some really lovely songs of his are ruined because ...he happens to be singing them.
delsbrother
Jul-27-2009, 11:19pm
Picked up this album the other day and I'm really enjoying it..
The liner notes credit Lou Reed for "Femme Fatale" - am I missing something? Is there a hidden track somewhere that my CD player is skipping? Or does he reference a line or two in a song that I missed?
Don Grieser
Jul-28-2009, 9:40am
I downloaded it from iTunes and Femme Fatale is listed as a bonus track. Maybe it's a hidden track at the end of the CD? Maybe it's only available on the downloads?
sgarrity
Jul-28-2009, 8:16pm
Ya know, I listened to the samples and didn't really care for it. The local FYE music store had a sale the other weekend and all cds were $9.99, so I broke down and bought it. I mean, it has Mike Compton on it afterall. After listening to the whole recording, it's much better than I thought. My only complaint is that they could have showcased the mandolin a little more. Still a cool project!
Don Grieser
Jul-28-2009, 9:38pm
It grows on you. "I Felt the Chill Before the Winter Came" (that he wrote with Loretta Lynn) is about as fine a song that's ever been written IMHO and the recording captures a stellar performance of it.
Rick Schmidlin
Jul-28-2009, 11:33pm
I look forward to seeing them in Vancouver.
Mike Bunting
Jul-29-2009, 12:05am
I look forward to seeing them in Vancouver.
"To bad Elvis lost his voice. If you watched his TV show everytime he opens his mouth it strained and off key. He mad a mess of Lou Reeds peformance. I live in Vancouver and will not pay to see Elvis. Er..... Mike Compton that's another thing. "
__
Must be a tough choice for you!
Soupy1957
Jul-29-2009, 4:52am
<is not a fan of Elvis Costello's Genré jumping (he's been doin a LOT of it lately).
-Soupy1957
Dan Johnson
Jul-29-2009, 6:04am
I've got to say this album hasn't really knocked me over yet...
Dan Johnson
Jul-29-2009, 10:38am
maybe it's because he says "Al-ba-nee New York" on the title track, instead of what it's supposed to be... "AWL-BANY!";)
Rick Schmidlin
Jul-29-2009, 10:52am
I've got to say this album hasn't really knocked me over yet...
T Bones Alison Kraus /Robert Plant was better last summer.
A Whole Lotta Love:)
I haven't seen him live lately, but I love his stuff. Plus, he clearly has good taste in mandolin players
delsbrother
Jul-29-2009, 9:27pm
Does it sound like this?
(Elvis haters please ignore - also notice non-Compton mando content)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwpLvGuE_p8
edit - ah, more searching found that the vinyl edition of the record is actually a two disc set (?) anyway:
Due to the division of the music over four sides, the vinyl edition will contain two additional tracks, an arrangement of Lou Reed’s “Femme Fatale” and Costello’s sequel to the old Appalachian murder ballad, “Omie Wise”, entitled, “What Lewis Did Last”.
I likee!
Maybe not Compton, but a nice mando part in that clip, even if it is way down in the mix. Who are those people, besides Elvis?