Major perpetrator of the alleged "comedy"
The only good songwriter to emerge during the '70's*
He may not have money, but he has great taste in sobriquets!
Okay, I’m dwelling
too much on Elvis Costello --- What can I tell ya? The guy is great!
On April 10th,
the day it was released, I bought the DVD “Elvis Costello & the Imposters;
The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook”. For the last several weeks I’ve
resisted writing about it, since every time E.C. releases something I will just
want to write a predictably glowing review of it and it’ll get boring. Since
then, though, it’s occurred to me that there is some interesting (interesting to me at least) trivia surrounding the project.
TRIVIA:
Will the real Napoleon Dynamite Please
stand up? Most
people recognize that name as the name of a gawdawful “comedy” film that was
released in 2004. It was co-written and directed by Jared Hess
and Jerusha Hess
and stars Jon Heder as the title character. The film's
total worldwide gross revenue was $46,140,956 – proof positive that you’ll
never lose money underestimating the taste of the American public. (No wonder
all my art projects are flops – I HAVE TOO MUCH GOOD TASTE! Heh, heh) Apparently,
two days before completion of the film, a teenage extra informed the director the
title was a nickname for Elvis Costello. The filmmaker insists he had no idea
he “stole” the title from The Great One. Considering the randomness of the name
Napoleon and the word Dynamite becoming conjoined by two independent people by
sheer coincidence seems virtually impossible. As Costello points out, “it's two
words that you're never going to hear together.” However, there is a plausible explanation. Hess claims
that around the year 2000, he was doing missionary work for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, around the Cicero Illinois
area. There he met a homeless man who referred to himself as Napoleon Dynamite.
Like all writers, Hess was undoubtedly always keeping an ear open for “found”
poetic phrases to use in his work and incorporated it thusly. You can’t blame
him – every writer does it. (“We are normal and we want our freedom!” “Giant pterodactyls
are flying into Arizona
and carrying off Buicks!”) By some accounts, Costello was christened with the
nickname by one of his girlfriends. Elvis used the pseudonym as early as 1982
for his 45 single b-side “Imperial Bedroom” – a song which, curiously, did not
appear on the album of the same name. The credits to his 1986 album “Blood and
Chocolate” only refer to him as Napoleon
Dynamite. So, unless Elvis met the homeless man from Cicero prior to 1982 and stole it from him,
E.C. is the true Nappy D!
Look at the man that you call Uncle
Elvis performs a solo acoustic “intermission”
in these live shows. The Segment is called Napoleon Solo. Napoleon Solo was the
name of a character on the 60’s spy TV show “The Man From Uncle.” It just occurred
to me – the two songs that he sings in this segment both refer to Josephine –
so it is Napoleon singing love songs to you – know- who.
Love for Tender / Clean Money
I believe I paid sixteen bucks for
the DVD, and around ten bucks for the audio CD (which I purchased separately.)
A combination CD / DVD set was released late last year and retailed for the princely
sum of $265.00! The price was so steep, even the official Elvis Costello
website refused to sell it. Hey, I love Elvis, but only when he’s a cheap date!
The joint was rockin’, goin’ ‘round and ‘round.
For The
Spectacular Spinning Songbook E.C. and the band have a big roulette wheel on
stage, listing 40 songs. Lucky audience members are pulled “from their place in
the stalls to their place with the stars” and are allowed to spin the wheel –
randomly determining the next song the band will play. The lucky participant is
allowed to stay on stage while the band plays the selection. While listening,
the fan may have a mixed drink, or dance in the on – stage go go cage.
More Bangles for your buck!
Back in 1986, Elvis and his band were
going through a period of interpersonal tensions. Considering Elvis is one of
the most acrimonious songwriters of all time, performing that material probably
did little to alleviate the tensions. Elvis came up with the game show like concept,
for a fun series of concerts that should (and did) lighten the atmosphere. One
particularly memorable show that year was in L.A. at The Wiltern. (The Will Turn – am I
imagining symbolism everywhere I look?) Special guests that evening were the
sensational girl group of the era, The Bangles. Susannah Hoffs is still a
fabulous babe! (the vintage video above should be considered REQUIRED VIEWING
FOR ANYONE WHO DIGS HOT CHICKS! YOW!) Now, with the return of the Fabulous Singing Songbook, 25 years later, The
Bangles join him on stage again. Turns out The Bangles broke up in the late 80’s and regrouped in
1998. Coincidentally, in 2002, they scored a number one hit in Germany with Elvis’
composition “Doll’s Revolution”, which they perform vocally here, backed by
E.C. & The Imposters.
Earthbound
The
DVD includes “Earthbound” a great, never previously released Costello
composition from 1993. He co – wrote it
with Cait O’Riordan, his wife of the time, for a promising up and coming singer
named Wendy James. In fact, they wrote Wendy’s entire album “These Ain’t the
Time for Your Tears” in something like two weeks – on a bet!
REVIEW:
This
is Elvis’ best DVD. Most people become Costello fans based on his early,
ferocious, garagey rock ‘n’ roll. Fans get a little frustrated since he
frequently seems to be avoiding rock ‘n’ roll on his records – probably so he
doesn’t paint himself into a corner stylistically. This time, though, Elvis
gives ‘em what they want, proving that he and his band can rock out like few
others. Although they are not generally known for their jamming, highlights
include a seven minute “(What’s So Funny) ‘Bout Peace Love and Understanding”,
an eight minute “I Want You” and especially a six minute forty-five second “Stella
Hurt”. Their music is wild, garagey, trashy, vicious, ominous, occasionally elegant,
and never short of breath takingly inspired. I would recommend this for anyone
who wants an easy introduction to Elvis.
*OK, the guys in Squeeze were good too.
