Elvis Costello/MD, USA 1989

Recently, the taper who calls himself Two Of Us has released the sound source he had recorded on his website to the delight of enthusiasts. Perhaps Elvis Costello was his favorite, and he has uploaded multiple audience recordings of his stage performances. Among them, the one that was by far the most valuable and had the best sound quality was the sound source from Meriwether Post Pavilion, Columbia, on August 20, 1989. In that year, Costello transferred to Warner, and his first album, “SPIKE,” and the single “Veronica” became big hits, and he achieved even greater success than before. Since I had just transferred, I spent the entire year on a solo performance tour due to cost issues. However, in response to their recent big hit, they embarked on a month-long tour in America with the band starting in August. The band formed at this time was Rude 5. There is a strong impression that this group served as Costello’s backing on the tour accompanying the next album “MIGHTY LIKE A ROSE”, but it is said that it was actually formed in 1989. However, for the reasons mentioned above, their activity period in the same year was extremely short, and even enthusiasts tend to overlook the original Rude 5 tour. Not only that, the tour with Rude 5 in 1989 also had the problem that there were few sound sources with excellent sound quality. This was not only due to the short duration of the tour, but was also a manifestation of the problem that the taper was unable to secure a good position as the number of fans increased due to the big hit of “SPIKE”. The fact that there were no items for this short tour probably reflected this situation. In that respect, the sound quality of the Columbia performance that Two Of Us released this time is very good, and it is at a level that it would not be strange to release it on a press CD. First of all, it is an audience recording with very clear sound quality, and it perfectly conveys the rich sound of Rude 5, a large band made up of talented musicians. In fact, in 1989, there was a practical problem in that they were only able to tour in the United States, partly due to the costs incurred by hiring such large families and famous musicians. Costello himself later said, “It cost a lot of money at that time.” However, they were able to accompany the musicians who also participated in the recording of the album, and the result was an extremely valuable tour where the gorgeous pop and sophisticated sound of “SPIKE” was showcased on stage in 1989. is. After all, this was the only time the album’s song “Miss Macbeth” was played live, and it was also the first time the album’s opening song, “…This Town…” was performed by a band. This short tour only. And best of all, it was a huge hit, and Costello’s signature song “Veronica” was played by the band in 1989 on this tour. What’s more, it’s also a wonderful live version that recreates the lively atmosphere of the album version on stage. As proof of its huge success, it is also a valuable document to understand how it was played as an encore even though it was a new song at the time. The original Rude 5 included percussionist Michael Blair, who also participated in the album, and Stephen Soles (a core member of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue), whom he met while recording a Roy Orbison video in 1987. The live performance of the famous song “Veronica” stands out even more because of the backing chorus. The first title from the super valuable tour that you want to call the original “SPIKE” live is released with the best audience recording. You’ll be especially moved by the real-time band performance of “Veronica”! Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD, USA 20th August 1989 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Disc 1(61:01) 01. Accidents Will Happen 02. Brilliant Mistake 03. Honey, Are You Straight Or Are You Blind? 04. Let Him Dangle 05. Clubland 06. Miss Macbeth 07. Loveable 08. God’s Comic 09. Radio Sweetheart / Jackie Wilson Said 10. Tramp The Dirt Down 11. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes 12. American Without Tears Disc 2(62:14) 01 …This Town… 02. Man Out Of Time 03. I Want You 04. Uncomplicated / Hidden Charms 05. Watching The Detectives 06. Deep Dark Truthful Mirror 07. Alison 08. Veronica 09. Poisoned Rose 10. Pads , Paws And Claws 11. Mystery Dance 12. Pump It Up Elvis Costello – lead vocal. guitar Marc Ribot – lead guitar, cornet, Eb horn Jerry Scheff – bass, tuba Larry Knechtel – keyboards Pete Thomas – drums Michael Blair – percussion, accordion , vocals Steven Soles – vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, trombone