Elvis Costello (A-side)
To celebrate National Album Day, consummate album artist Elvis Costello talks to John Wilson.
From his critically acclaimed debut album, My Aim Is True, released in 1977 to his about-to-be-released Look Now, his first new album in five years, Elvis Costello has been widely recognised as one of Britain’s best songwriters.
In a special edition of Mastertapes to celebrate National Album Day, the consummate album artists talks and plays his way back through a career that has spanned five decades.
From early classics like Watching The Detectives, Accidents Will Happen, and Almost Blue, all the way through to Jimmie Standing In The Rain, Unwanted Number and Under Lime his talent for wordplay has remained undimmed. He remains a composer who works across a range of styles, always mining a deep, rich seam of melodic and harmonic treasures - all of which is on display in this programme recorded in the iconic Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ studios at Maida Vale. Accompanying him is his career-long collaborator, pianist Steve Nieve.
This programme is part of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Music’s support for the first ever National Album Day, which takes place on Saturday 13th October with programming on Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, 5 Live, 6 Music, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four across the week or on the day itself.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Clips
-
Elvis Costello - Almost Blue
Duration: 02:34
-
Elvis Costello - Accidents Will Happen
Duration: 03:10
-
Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives
Duration: 04:14
-
Elvis Costello - Shot With His Own Gun
Duration: 02:39
Broadcast
- Sat 13 Oct 2018 10:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Featured in...
National Album Day
Play it long, play it loud
Eight things we learned from Lily Allen’s Mastertapes
We hear about the breakdown of her marriage, substance abuse… and socks
10 things we learned from Randy Newman’s Mastertapes
The legendary songwriter's interview with John Wilson is fascinating and very funny.
Mastertapes special: Paul McCartney
Live performances
Watch and listen to exclusive live performances from the Mastertapes recordings.
Radio 4 on Music
Re-releasing music documentaries from the Radio 4 Archive.
Podcast
-
Mastertapes
John Wilson talks with musicians about a career-defining album.