ELVIS COSTELLO
BONNAROO '06

The inclusion of fabled songwriter/musician Elvis Costello (Declan McManus) was inevitable for Cleveland, Ohio, i.e., The Hall Of Fame, and timing couldn’t have been better in March of 2003.  With his much heralded band The Attractions, he has brought his music full circle from the “new Wave” days and has been known to pen tunes for selected movies as well as act in several full length features.

From the embryonic days in London pubs and eponymous release of “Radio Sweetheart” to the moreserene timeless compositions like “Allison”, the 51 year old crooner continues to mesmerize and capture new fans as he tours relentlessly on a regimented basis.

This year’s Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee was no exception as Elvis played a myriad of tunes thatwould span the years of his existence amidst the royalty of contemporary rock n’ roll.

Thoughts of an early retirement were vanquished in the mid eighties and his dabbling in varied genres always allows him to represent the past in his own interpretative style .A new CD with a myriad of icons including Jason Schiff from Chicago fame would see the fervor of his return spread amidst the masses of his many fans both in the United States and Europe.

The eclectic vision of Elvis Costello has allowed him to write songs with T-Bone Burnette for the movie Cold Mountain and also a plethora of tunes for Allison Krauss while now writing for his own band, now The Imposters, for Island Records. 

The 80,000 fans at Bonnaroo waited with much anticipation as who knows what will unfold during a ninety minute set with this multi-dimensional artist.or what seems more palatable in his head for any given event.

Playing with friend and fellow musician, Allen Toussaint, all were thrilled by his presence and his acceptance to appear at Bonnaroo 06, North America’s largest and most celebrated event.

Cheers – Don Aters – Haight Street Music News