Elvis Costello & The Attractions
1981-12-31 New Year's Eve Show
The Palladium
New York City, NY
Soundboard, Good Quality Recording
mp3 @ 192
Artwork Included
Happy New Year, everyone! New's Year's Eve has always been a big night for rock concerts. I guess it's just very appealing to ring in the new year watching, listening, and singing along with your favorite music artists. There have been many legendary New Year's Eve shows and bootleg recordings available over the years, most notably featuring artists like Bruce Springsteen and The Grateful Dead, but also acts such as the Allman Brothers, Santana, U2, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. I have previously featured 2 great NYE shows on this blog (The Kinks-1980 and The Band-1971). In looking back through my collection of NYE shows, for this NYE post I decided to go with a show that was a little different and not as readily available, and that also features another of my favorite artists that I have not yet posted anything by. So, here is a unique NYE show from Elvis Costello, from 1981, the time between his Almost Blue all-covers 'Country' album and his pop masterpiece Imperial Bedroom. This show features an extensive and eclectic setlist, including most of the songs (seldom-performed) from the underrated Almost Blue album, and several 'previews' of new songs ('Pidgin English', 'Kid About It', 'Shabby Doll', 'Human Hands', 'The Long Honeymoon', 'Beyond Belief') from the yet-to-be-released Imperial Bedroom, as well as the usual faves from that period. The set even includes Steve Nieve's intermission solo performance (which includes Auld Lang Syne). The set also includes old friend John McFee (from Clover and Elvis's first album) sitting in on pedal steel guitar for a few songs. A very unique and wonderful show. Sound quality is good, but not great (a bit tinny sounding, with not much low end), but the show is well worth the listen. In fact, this show, which is from the Palladium in NY, follows exactly one year later (at the same concert hall) as the Kinks 1980 NYE Palladium show, already posted here. How's that for continuity?
Disc 1
01. Lipstick Vogue
02. Watching The Detectives
03. Accidents Will Happen
04. Secondary Modern
05. Oliver's Army
06. Green Shirt
07. Radio, Radio
08. Sittin' And Thinkin'
09. Success
10. Good Year For The Roses
11. Psycho
12. Brown To Blue
13. How Much I Lied
14. Sweet Dreams
15. Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down
16. I'm Your Toy
17. Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used To Do)?
18. Honey Hush
19. instrumental - Steve Nieve solo
20. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?
21. Strict Time
Disc 2
22. Pidgin English
23. Watch Your Step
24. The Beat
25. Kid About It
26. New Lace Sleeves
27. Big Tears
28. Human Hands
29. Hand In Hand
30. Shabby Doll
31. Almost Blue
32. High Fidelity
33. The Long Honeymoon
34. Temptation
35. Clowntime Is Over
36. Beyond Belief
37. Clubland
38. I've Been Born Again/King Horse
39. Big Sister's Clothes
40. I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
41. From A Whisper To A Scream
42. Mystery Dance
43. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
44. Alison (Performed but not on disc)
New Links! (Updated 07/12/21)
3 comments:
I was actually at this show. It was fantastic. Elvis and The Attractions were at the top of their game. They gave away very cool Costello Calendars that read "Almost Blue/Almost '82" just for this show because it was New Year's Eve! The fabulous NRBQ were the opening act, and both bands rocked the house!
I was at this show too. First of many Elvis Costello concerts for me. I still have the calendar/poster they gave out at the show.
Thanks for making this available (and updating the links!). Can't get enough Imperial Bedroom era Elvis!
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