New TV show: "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with ..."

[Who Shot Sam?]

From the Rufus Wainwright episode:
Willie Moore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHNJTHq9ECQ
New Paint: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60aCTGrb ... re=channel
Memphis Skyline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOKstTbs ... re=channel
If I only had a brain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yekGSC4x ... re=channel
Vibrate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNhBYpxS ... re=channel

Really wish Rufus had continued to the end of "Memphis Skyline". Surely he knows the words. "Vibrate" was very nice indeed and I liked "If I Only Had a Brain" - pleasant surprise and it worked well for Elvis.

[Otis Westinghouse]

I actually really liked 'If I Only Had A Brain', too!

I loved it, really suited his voice.

I wonder will C4 be showing others too, or is JT a one-off? Hard to keep up.

[verbal gymnastics]

Verb: yes, five only here: Police, Elton, Rufus, Lou, Bill.

Thanks Otis.

Does anyone know of any plans to show the rest of the shows in the UK? Did Channel 4 break my Spectacles?

[Otis Westinghouse]

As John tells us...

Spectacle has crept back into Channel 4's schedule. The James Taylor episode airs on Wedne. Jan. 28th at 12.10 (really the early hours of Thurs. Jan 29th) .

[johnfoyle]

Some MP3s -

http://burnwoodtonite.blogspot.com/2009 ... d-mix.html

[always dancing]

The Guitar Pull was my favorite show so far (R. Cash, Mellencamp, Kris K., Norah Jones) Since I was at the show here is some insight. When Elvis asked John to play a song John actually had to think for a minute what he wanted to play so you know what was coming was not rehearsed. If you watch closely during "Small Town" you can see Elvis and Kris learning the cords as the song progresses. I also can't believe they left the part in about John needing a cigarette. Not PC anymore.

So ...those of you who are following along at home...It only took a few seconds for me to show up on the show this time. During the introduction about the second crowd shot I can be seen this time all in black next to kilyuradeo again in the Elvis glasses.

[ice nine]

I watched the show on The Sundace Channel and John asking for a cigarette break is still in. I guess he didn't get the memo about smoking not being good for you.

[johnfoyle]

Channel 4 seem to be giving Spectacle a regular, latenight Wednesday slot. On Wednes. Feb 4th they show the Smokey Robinson episode. It's still buried at 12.10 ( really , therefore, early Thurs. 5th) but it's still three weeks before it gets aired in the U.S. on Feb. 25th. Elvis has talked up this particular show a bit so this airing is welcome.

[johnfoyle]

The official site posts -

http://elviscostello.com/news/news.php?uid=56

01.28.09
Full Schedule for 'Spectacle' in the UK

We are happy to announce the full 2009 schedule of air dates for "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...." in the UK.

The show will air on British Channel 4 on Wednesdays at 00:10 on the following dates:

28th Jan at 00:10 - with James Taylor
4th Feb at 00:10 - with Smokey Robinson
11th Feb 00:10 - with Tony Bennett
18th Feb 00:10 - with Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones, and John Mellencamp
25th Feb 00:10 - with Renee Fleming
4th March 00:10 - with Diana Krall interviewed by Elton John
11th March 00:10 - with She & Him etc
18th March 00:10 - with Herbie Hancock

Enjoy!

[Otis Westinghouse]

Nice one, bollocks, I'd forgotten it was on tonight. - 20 minutes into it! Too late for a tape, it's not on 4 on demand, I think, and I'm way too tired to watch it.

[sweetest punch]

The James Taylor episode is available on Dime: http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-deta ... ?id=233988

[charliestumpy]

Thanks for info about forthcoming UK CH4 TV broadcast schedule.

The James Taylor episode was jolly good I thought.

Unlike the 5 UK shows before Christmas, Spectacle JT this week is not on Cable as stated above 'watch it again'.

I still really like from this JT episode everything, including especially (with Costello) stereo version of 'The hippopotamus song' and that fantastic (without Costello) JT/team 'Lonesome river' accapello.

I yesterday put all on to series-record (7 to go), but do not save the video in case it is all commercially released on 13 or 7 Blu-ray discs (with bits shown in USA but not in UK as we are too sensitive).

[johnfoyle]

The James Taylor episode is pleasant enough. Elvis is far more comfortable in the hosting role. His relaxation is evident in his willingness to just sit there and hear out James , merely leaning on the upturned clipboard, not fussing with pages etc. , as in earlier episodes. It being the last taped episode , maybe Elvis was just relieved that it was all over.

Taylor fans maybe be able to read into his carefully worded answers more than the rest of us. He says a lot but imparts little information. His performances with his band are rather dry , their dead eyed looks telling us that they have rehearsed it all to perfection. One backing singer - David Lasley ,a Gérard Depardieu look-a-like - does have a bit of personality , his sweet voice standing out. This is especially evident in the vocal only performance of Lonesome Road, a show highlight.

Of particular interest to us are a few comments Elvis makes. In framing questions for James he includes some details of his own. At one stage Elvis talks about how he has a ' mythic map of my father's home town in my head in which I move characters around in songs.' Later he adds ' singing songs about those you love makes you stronger not weaker'. This, perhaps, is an indication of a prevailing theme in ' The Secret, The Profane and the Sugar Cane ' album. A probable inclusion will be 'Down Among The Wine And Spirits' . Since it was inspired by a Ross McManus comment, and paired with these comments , perhaps we will get more of the same. It could, of course , be a reference to catalogue songs like New Amsterdam and Suit Of Lights etc.

[sweetest punch]

From the episode with Roseanne Cash, Kris Christofferson, John Mellencamp, Norah Jones,

From Sulphur To Sugarcane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z56wHsuKrF8
Here Comes That Rainbow Again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCXK3-Hw ... re=channel
Big River: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTHZY0bx ... re=channel
April 5th: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cldEvQP_ ... re=channel (killer song!)

[sweetest punch]

From the episode with Roseanne Cash, Kris Christofferson, John Mellencamp, Norah Jones,

From Sulphur To Sugarcane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z56wHsuKrF8
Here Comes That Rainbow Again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCXK3-Hw ... re=channel
Big River: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTHZY0bx ... re=channel
April 5th: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cldEvQP_ ... re=channel (killer song!)

More songs:
How Many Times Have You Broke My Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWubsD8ZVNg
Longest day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8tXKfZssms
Me And Bobby McGee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig-STFXX_eQ
Seven Year Ache: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFZRf6ZMeq8
Sunday Morning Coming Down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsc5Yz0DRTQ

[MOJO]

How bitchin' is Sunday Morning Coming Down? Good stuff, great show.

[charliestumpy]

... Lovely links ta to Kristofferson show clips ...

Here in UK this morning the Smokey show was great too.

[martinfoyle]

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-deta ... ?id=234941

ELVIS COSTELLO presents Spectacle
Guest Smokey Robinson

Smokey performs and gives an insight into his career in music and musical influences.

First Aired on The Sundance Channel in the United States.

This Torrent:
UK Channel 4 Broadcast
February 5th 2009
00:10 - 01:15

PAL 16x9

SOURCE: Digital Broadcast > Panasonic DMR-EH50 (RAM SP) > TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress >
TMPGEnc DVD Author3 > Hard Drive (Video TS)

Video: PAL 16x9, MPEG-2, 704x576, 25 fps, VBR (Constant Quality), 9548 Kb/s
Audio: AC3, 48000 Hz, Stereo, 256 kb/s

01. MUSICAL INTRO - ELVIS COSTELLO
02. NO MORE TEARSTAINED MAKEUP - ELVIS COSTELLO
03. TRACKS OF MY TEARS - SMOKEY ROBINSON
04. THE HUNTER GETS CAPTURED BY THE GAME - ELVIS COSTELLO
05. DON'T KNOW WHY - SMOKEY ROBINSON
06. YOU'VE REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME - SMOKEY ROBINSON & ELVIS COSTELLO

Menu & Track Selection

Capture, Editing & Authoring by JTT, February 2009

[johnfoyle]

I look forward to seeing this later ; From Head To Toe and Going To A Go-Go left out - hopefully they'll turn up on a DVD edition!

http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/inde ... _Robinson)

[johnfoyle]

Great show, Elvis really doing the fanboy thing and letting Smokey tell his tales. The Imposters give immaculate backing . Steve piano playing really shines, especially when it's just him accompanying Smokey as he sing Tracks Of My Tears. Interestingly Pete Thomas is reading from sheet music , something I haven't seen before. The Ray Charles story is told well , Smokey doing a nervous stutter that makes it so real. Elvis jokes about having played the Apollo before - the Apollo, Glasgow , that is. That was in January 1979 , and Elvis cites it as a place where English acts had to fight hard to get the favour of a Scottish audience. Smokey tells all the Motown stories, how Marvin Gaye 'Marvinised' his songs , how Berry Gordy helped him hone his songwriting skills etc. Elvis seems less nervous and more relaxed. This is probably down to letting his guard down through tiredness after recording the Police show earlier that day. Smokey gets more effusive, really getting there when he says 'Can I say bullshit on this show?'. Elvis says he can say what he likes and the words just tumble out.The closing duet on 'Hold On Me is a bit ragged , the song being saved by explosive backing vocals by Ada Dyer and Andricka Hall.

[martinfoyle]

Here's a zip file of the Police & Smokey Robinson songs

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?h0znxjzyw2d

[sweetest punch]

From the episode with Renee Fleming:
L'Absence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etx572P5XkY
In The Pines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gRSzLSb-ak
Answer Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bY1unOjt7w
All This Useless Beauty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnqKBRRjPOw
The Scarlet Tide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6b-3xP8 ... annel_page
Vissi D'Arte: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBoXNkO ... re=channel

[sweetest punch]

From the episode with Herbie Hancock:
Watermelon Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ASTMFN-h4
Edith And The Kingpin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAHkJ92WNrE
Chan's Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGVl1x1h9eo

[Bad Ambassador]

I thought the Smokey episode was outstanding, by far the best episode shown thus far in the UK. Admittedly, most of this is down to the quality of the guest, but I would agree with the earlier comment about Elvis seeming more relaxed and at ease. Robinson was a fabulous raconteur throughout and the musical moments were pretty special too. A great hour of telly and Elvis is right about this sort of show being otherwise absent from TV schedules. Why?

[sweetest punch]

The episode with Jakob Dylan, She & Him and Jenny Lewis is available on You Tube:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9TsQFVY ... annel_page
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcjFmS-v ... annel_page
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWtY1vxI ... annel_page
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq3SbKWk ... annel_page