Search - Elvis Costello & the Attractions :: The Costello Show: Live at the El Mocambo

Be There Now

P. B. Fey | Phoenixville, PA USA | 10/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Longtime Costello fans may already have this disc from when it first appeared--legally--in the 2-1/2 Years box set. This incendiary performance documents Elvis and the Attractions quite early in their career (the Deluxe Edition My Aim Is True contains an even earlier, rougher live performance). The pace is frantic, the energy palpable. The band blazes through Elvis's already concise songs, and the set is relatively short. But this is all about quality, not quantity. Not to mention a little rock and roll history.



Given its origin as a concert broadcast on the radio, it's only natural that there are audience sounds. Sure, they can be a little annoying but, hearing this now, all these years later, it's as if you are there and you happen to be standing next to the idiot making all the noise. The important part is You Are There.



I would've liked to have seen some additional material with this reissue but the lack of this is offset by the great price point. The hardcore fans may not need this; but if you are new to Elvis, or weren't around when all this happened, you can't afford not to have it."

Great show, good recording.

Glenn Hendler | New York, NY United States | 10/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every Elvis fan should have this one, to know what those early shows were like. My only complaint: why is this listed under "The Costello Show"--a moniker that didn't appear for a decade or more after this recording?

"

Excellent

Keith Grayson | East TN | 09/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are more than a casual Elvis Costello fan you will not be dissappointed with Live at the El Mocambo. Oh.....but it has been released before. It was included in a Rykodisk early nineties CD boxset along with EC's first three albums. I do not, however, recall being particularly annoyed by any hecklers in the audience. I haven't listened to this one in a while, though, since the latest deluxe re-re-re-reissues of My Aim Is True and This Year's Model each have bonus discs of wonderful live recordings from the same period. Ridiculously, I'm certain to purchase this version as well simply for what should be obvious sound improvements from the early 90's issue. Current new music, of similar genres, recently released cannot touch anything Elvis Costello (and EC & the Attractions) released through 1980's Get Happy! ......or Trust.....or Imperial Bedroom....or Blood and Chocolate.....or King of America.....etc. etc. Just buy them all as I have.....though maybe just once."