Elvis Costello/WI, USA 1982

The latest work from the “COVID-19 QUARANTINE RELEASE!” series, which has become familiar among enthusiasts, or “HOT OFF THE HEADS PRODUCTION” is Elvis Costello & Attractions’ 1982 live performance. This year, Costello released the album “IMPERIAL BEDROOM,” which was touted as a “masterpiece,” and his popularity in the United States began to soar. Riding on that momentum, they toured America for the first time in a while in August. In the first place, 1982 was a valuable period, their peak and transitional period. For that reason, the American tour that started in July was full of tickets every day, but “HOT OFF THE HEADS PRODUCTION” recorded Alpine Valley Music Theater on August 14th. They have delivered excellent albums such as Steve Miller Band and Weather Report’s “CHICAGO 1982”, but perhaps their recording career peaked in 1982. As if to prove that, the amazing quality this time is also overwhelming. It is natural that the sound image is close, yet the clarity and freshness are outstanding. The spread of the sound is also wonderful, with a stereo feel. The closeness and freshness of Costello’s singing voice is especially wonderful. On the other hand, 1982 was a rare time in the United States where most of the songs from the album were played on stage since it was a tour supporting “IMPERIAL BEDROOM”. Most of them will no longer be played, so this year’s set list is all the more unique. “Pidgin English”, which has a much higher tempo than the album version, is truly a representative repertoire of this year, and “…And in Every Home”, which was sung with an orchestra in the album, is performed by keyboardist Steve Naive. For the first time, I played a synth and tried a live arrangement that was different from a studio orchestra. Furthermore, it was a slow re-arrangement of the country ballad “He’s Got”, which was not included in the album but continued to be played live, as a remnant of the recording of the country cover collection “ALMOST BLUE” in the fall of the previous year. The medley to “I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down” is unique to this period. What’s more, this day was the birthday of Attractions bassist Bruce Thomas, and during the member introduction during “Pump It Up,” Costello humorously said, “Today is his 16th birthday!” However, it is also valuable to see that he and Bruce are still on good terms, which later leads to a rift that can’t be repaired. And at the end of the live performance, they even performed a cover of the recently deceased Little Richard’s “Slippin’ and Slidin’,” a performance that seemed to overlap with the set list unique to Costello & Attractions in 1982. This is their 1982 live sound source, which is extremely small considering the number of items originally released even though it was at its peak, so there is no doubt that it will attract the attention of enthusiasts all over the world. The ultra high quality audience that can only be found at “HOT OFF THE HEADS PRODUCTION” came there. Costello’s best live sound source from the “IMPERIAL BEDROOM” period will be released! Live at Alpine Valley Music Theater, East Troy, WI, USA 14th April 1982 ULTIMATE SOUND Disc 1(71:10) 1. Accidents Will Happen 2. Green Shirt 3. Pidgin English 4. Hand in Hand 5. Shabby Doll 6. Watch Your Step 7. Back Stabbers King Horse 8. …And in Every Home 9. Watching the Detectives Help Me 10. The Long Honeymoon 11. Secondary Modern 12. Kid About It 13. The Beat 14. Temptation 15. From Head to Toe 16. You Belong to Me 17. New Lace Sleeves 18. Alison 19. Beyond Belief 20. Clubland 21. Imperial Bedroom Disc 2(38:49) 1. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes 2. He’ll Have to Go 3. Mystery Dance 4. Tears Before Bedtime 5. Why Don’t You Love Me 6. Almost Blue 7. Pump It Up 8. (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding 9. Shipbuilding 10. Radio Radio 11. She’s Got You 12. I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down 13. Slippin’ and Slidin’ (Peepin’ and Hidin’) 14. Big Sister’s Clothes Elvis Costello – vocals, guitar Steve Nieve – keyboard Bruce Thomas – bass Pete Thomas – drums