Elvis Costello's "Spectacle" lasted for only two seasons. In a perfect world, we would still be watching today. Big name artists and music obsessives sat together on the stage, discussing their influences, telling stories and singing together. Levon Helm, Allen Toussaint, Bono, Richard Thompson, James Taylor, Rosanne Cash, Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen and co-producer Elton John, were just some of the legends that shared their time with Elvis.
I hadn't thought about the show in years, but sharing the Norah Jones song last week reminded me that I had some audio.
So here is something I put together for your listening pleasure. If memory serves, all of the guests were backed by The Imposters.
TRACKLIST:
Ballad Of A Well Known Gun- Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Seven Year Ache- Rosanne Cash & Norah Jones
Tennessee Jed- Allen Toussaint, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson, Levon Helm, Larry Campbell & E.C.
Everyday I Write The Book- Ron Sexsmith, Jesse Winchester, Sheryl Crow & E.C.
Crying In The Rain- James Taylor & E.C.
Show Biz Kids- E.C.
Straight To Hell- Jakob Dylan & E.C.
Sham-A-Ling- Dong-Ding- Jesse Winchester
The Longest Days- John Mellencamp
Don't Forget Me- Neko Case
How Many Times Have You Broken My Heart- Norah Jones & E.C.
Shoot Out The Lights- Richard Thompson & E.C.
Border Song- Allen Toussaint & E.C.
April 5th- E.C. , Rosanne Cash, & Kris Kristofferson
Ring Them Bells- Ron Sexsmith, Sheryl Crow & E.C.
Perfect Day- Lou Reed- & E.C.
Sunday Morning Coming Down- Kris Kristofferson
Down River- Elton John & E.C.
28 comments:
Excellent Sal - thanks so much!
Thanks so much for this. A great show and an awesome playlist.
Oh, what a great show. The Jesse Winchester performance of Sham-a-Ling-Dong (or whatever) is so marvelous. It breaks my heart every time. I have to give a shout out to the video because watching the other artists rapt with attention and one of them quietly shed a tear is so beautiful. Looking forward to these other highlights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGabTMx8mOM
Oh man - what a gift! Thanks, Sal!
This is very cool. Thank you!
Captain Al
Thanks very much, Sal.
whoa!!
Great show! I remember the episode where Lou Reed trashed Yes 9or maybe just Rick Wakeman)
The show was a marvel, EC is a really great host...Much thanks for this!
Great treasure chest!
Thanks!
Netflix wants even more $$ from me to watch it 🥴
I've often wondered why Macca was never a guest on the show. Even if they would only discuss their collaborations.
This looks like a terrific mix. Thanks. But I'm worried because I'm not recalling the show. With this lineup I'm sure it would have been something I'd have watched.
A wonderful show indeed. Thanks, Sal.
Oh man, so happy to see this pop up. If someone put out a box set of every song from every episode, I'd buy it in a minute. Thank you for this tasty little set!
And I'm glad the live take of Neko Case singing "Don't Forget Me" is on here ... Nilsson's original slays me, but her version on the show - with Elvis almost curled up into a fetal position watching her sing this amazing version - is almost too much to take. Slays me all 1,000 times I've watched it.
Check it out here, for those who have never seen it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGlJCx4SG-k
Jesse Winchester performance mentioned is among the most moving moments of Spectacle. Just watching Neko Case and Elvis himself is beautiful. Tear jerker for certain.Im guessing Jesse might have already had his CA diagnosis but can’t be positive.
Whenever I'm in the mood to have my heart ripped out and stamped into pieces I watch the Jesse winchester video (Michael Glitz is totally right about the song) and especially Neko Case's reaction. Even Elvis looks stunned. In one of Jesse's later albums he has a song about his father that if you're not finished off by Shama, this other one will take care of the rest of you. Thanks for putting this out there though. what a great collection.
This is great. Thanks so much
Thank you very much!
Thank you!!!!
Sal, is there a reason no records show up for sale on your Discogs page? I must have missed something.
I am currently reorganizing. I am expecting a large collection this weekend, so I will open the page fresh, with a bunch of new stock. Thanks for checking. Check back next week.
Thanks for sharing the Neko/Nilsson cover Noel! A reminder of what a particularly great episode that was. Of course the show is tangled in music rights issues and ain't streaming except bootleg stuff on YouTube (which pays artists royalties). And it must have cost about ten cents to make so I assume Elvis was the one who stopped it? Otherwise, a curse on the execs who pulled the plug.
Never understood why this show was cancelled. Was Elvis tired? It is sorely missed. Thank's for gathering these performances.
I never saw the show, but I've seen a lot of video clips. Good mix, thanks!
Bloody hell.. this is superb. Many thanks. so many memories. Now ( of course) I ave to dive back into You Tube to watch them!
Would you please restore Link for this? Have'nt been checking my usual Blogs and missed this. Thanks, Mark
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