Thursday, May 31, 2007

Get Happy!!

Elvis has entered the building...

Elvis Costello's catalogue from the Columbia years* has finally made it's way into the Rhapsody catalogue, this after a slew of redundant reissues following the transfer to Universal (Rhino's double-disc reissues really should've closed the book.) The period (1977-1986) represents the angry young man in his prime, with his first seven albums all classics in their own right (the first four - My Aim is True to Get Happy!! - especially.)

Playlist: The Best of Elvis Costello - The First 10 Years

Anytime there's a transfer to a new label for an old catalogue, there's almost always a greatest hits to coincide with it, and Universal's Hip-O label is no different. The Best of the First 10 years is at least the third to tackle this important period, and you'd think we'd heard the last of it, but truly, it's hard to argue against the 22 tracks chosen as a prime introduction to the Costello library. The album comes into Rhapsody as a 'buy only' option, but nearly every track is there for the taking from the actual albums ('cept "Oliver's Army" which is absent for some unknown reason,) and I've taken the liberty of assembling them for you.

The other collection Universal has for us (Rock And Roll Music - also a 'buy only' option) piques my interest a bit more, with several hard to find songs like "Big Tears," "Baby's Got A Brand New Hairdo" and several live tracks. It's slanted heavily to This Year's Model (which has six songs on it) and attempts to compile Costello's more raucus early material together with some level of success.

Why don't I have my own compilation? I'm not about to narrow it down, I'm afraid... just play the whole damn catalogue and be done with it, I say. Between this and Macca's recent addition, we've got some pretty large cracks in the digital distribution dam... it's only a matter of time. I now can (but will I?) go back and finish some playlists that have been lingering awaiting Costello's appearance for (near) completion.

Bonus treat: Elvis' infamous SNL appearance in December, 1977.

And years later Costello revists that moment with the Beastie Boys.

*'Columbia Years' as defined by US distribution. Costello was on several UK imprints during this time - Stiff, Radar, Fbeat and Demon.

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3 comments:

Shawn Anderson said...

The Best of Elvis Costello - The First 10 Years

1. "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" - Elvis Costello
2. "Alison" - Elvis Costello
3. "Watching The Detective" - Elvis Costello
4. "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea" - Elvis Costello
5. "Pump It Up" - Elvis Costello
6. "Radio, Radio" - Elvis Costello
7. "Accidents Will Happen" - Elvis Costello
8. "Oliver's Army" - Elvis Costello
9. "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" - Elvis Costello
10. "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" - Elvis Costello
11. "High Fidelity" - Elvis Costello
12. "Clubland" - Elvis Costello
13. "New Lace Sleeves" - Elvis Costello
14. "Good Year For The Roses" - Elvis Costello
15. "Beyond Belief" - Elvis Costello
16. "Man Out Of Time" - Elvis Costello
17. "Almost Blue" - Elvis Costello
18. "Every Day I Write The Book" - Elvis Costello
19. "Shipbuilding" - Elvis Costello
20. "Brilliant Mistake (Live In Studio)" - Elvis Costello
21. "Indoor Fireworks (Live In Studio)" - Elvis Costello
22. "I Want You" - Elvis Costello

Michelle Auer said...

I sure do love that man!

Kevin said...

Elvis Costello is the be all. Great post you got here.