Elvis Costello - Village Music 21st Birthday Party (2022)

DYNAMIC ALL-STAR EVENT FEATURING ELVIS COSTELLO & A FEW BUDDIES 1988 was the first year since 1977 that Elvis Costello didn t release a new album and/or tour extensively. His next album, Spike, was released in early 1989, and he started touring again in the spring of that year, continuing with predominantly solo shows, most often with Nick Lowe opening and joining Elvis for 2-3 songs. The shows were structured much like the 'Spinning Songbook' gigs of 1987, with a solo set from Elvis, culminating with duets with Lowe, then coming back out as his 'Napoleon Dynamite' alter-ego and doing an encore set of talk, requests, and various audience participation sections. The main difference being the inclusion of several songs from Spike at the 89 gigs. The show presented here, however, was truly a one-of-a-kind event, during which Elvis is joined onstage by none other than Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and other West Coast luminaries for a wild and spontaneous session. During his spring US tour, Costello was asked to perform for the Village Music (a legendary music store) 21st Birthday celebration at The Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA. So, after his initial solo set (culminating with the Lowe duet on 'Peace, Love and Understanding'), he did a few songs with his back-up band, a modified version of the Confederates. After that, however, other rock royalty in attendance were called up to the stage. First Charles Brown and Kim Wilson sang a few songs, after which Jerry Garcia joins Elvis for some country tunes (with Elvis on vocals). Then, Elvis asks if anyone else wants sing, and up comes Commander Cody and Sammy Hagar. Bob Weir eventually also joins the collective for a couple more, finally ending with Elvis back on vocals for 'Let The Good Times Roll' and 'Lovable'. A strange assemblage of artists for sure, but a lot of fun too. This previously unreleased recording of the show - made for live local FM broadcast - is now available here for the first time, surely destined to become a top drawer collectable for fans of Elvis and the other participants who performed at this legendary event more than thirty years ago.