Monday, January 18, 2010

RADIO ON THE TV: SPECTACLE WITH ELVIS COSTELLO


I've been wanting to check out Elvis Costello's interview show on Sundance, Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... I finally picked up the DVD box set of season 1, it's really great. In the first episode he interviews, and performs with, the show's executive producer, Elton John. The show features lengthy interview segments, more like conversations, and unique performances. In the Elton episode, Elvis and his band, (The Imposters, also featuring former Elvis Presley guitarist James Burton and New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint) opened with Elton's "Border Song." Stunning. I'm midway through the second episode, where Elvis interviews President Bill Clinton. Anyway, if you're a big music fan, this is highly recommended.  The first season also features Lou Reed, James Taylor, The Police, Smokey Robinson, one episode with Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones and John Mellencamp, and another with Jakob Dylan, She & Him and Jenny Lewis. The current season has featured Bono and The Edge, Levon Helm, Sheryl Crow and a two part Bruce Springsteen episode.

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