Let's Start Again

Some breaking news in Costelloland:

The press release is well worth a read, as it surely originated with one of his publicity firm’s account managers but clearly reflects some specific clever edits from EC himself. It reads like a brief missing excerpt from his autobiography in spots.

There’s going to be plenty of time to dive into the contents here in a few months, but a few details that jump out:

• Disc 2 is going to be the real revelation—an approximate collection of the score from Taken From Life, a musical adaptation of the Bacharach/Costello songbook meant for the Broadway stage, with both existing Painted From Memory songs and original material wrapped around a new story. The PR also mentions a song from an aborted Austin Powers musical for which the pair were collaborating with Mike Myers. Add in the adaptation of A Face In The Crowd that we’ve discussed here before, and this marks no less than three separate attempts to bring the music of Elvis Costello to the stage. COME ON, PEOPLE. This needs to happen.

• It was news to me that the Bacharach/Costello musical was prompted and guided by TV mogul Chuck Lorre, best known as creator and EP of shows like Two and a Half Men, Mom and The Big Bang Theory. One of his trusted lieutenants is Eddie Gorodetsky, a TV writer and exceptional gadfly who has built personal friendships with many of his musical idols, including Costello and Bob Dylan. He was also an occasional presence on Costello-L, the Elvis Costello fan e-mail list from almost thirty years ago that helped nurture my early fandom. You out there, Eddy? Let’s talk!

• The most recent track featuring Bacharach’s collaboration was recorded last September…which is remarkable considering the man is 94 years old. It’s a real gift that this collection will see the light of day while he’s able to be around and appreciate the accolades.

I’ll probably be all-in at some point for the Super Deluxe version which is retailing at $180. Four CDs, two LPs and a book with a 10,000 word essay by Costello. The essay is the real selling point for me here, otherwise I would maybe buy the vinyl version and make do with the streaming version of the collection. But that essay should be a remarkable document of their collaboration…

…a collaboration which began with their 1998 album Painted From Memory, still the greatest document of their work together, and a remarkable album in its own right. As excited as I am for all the trimmings we’ll get from this boxed set, I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that this record is a stunner, all by its lonesome, even without a hardcover book and glossy new presentation. I’m eager to hear the new remaster by Bob Ludwig, which may not be a revelation considering the album originated in the digital age, but will still likely uncover some amazing detail in the recordings.

And of course, we’ve already covered a few Bacharach/Costello tunes here at That Fatal Mailing List! Ah, the memories.

What about you, faithful readers? Will YOU be forking over hard-earned cash for this treasure trove of Bacharach/Costello plunder? Comment below!