Research Catalog

Title

The words and music of Elvis Costello / James E. Perone.

Author

Perone, James E.

Publication

Santa Barbara, California : Praeger, [2015]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

viii, 204 pages; 24 cm

Summary

Elvis Costello is one of the greatest pop songwriters of his generation as well as one of the most significant songwriters of the 20th century. His career's length now approaching four decades, Costello continues to be vital part of pop culture through live performances, recordings, and the iconic nature of his work. "The Words and Music of Elvis Costello" provides in-depth analysis of this important artist's words, music, and recordings. Arranged chronologically, the book places Costello in the cultural context of his time and place; addresses the overlaps between rock, classical, torch song, and jazz in Costello's highly eclectic range of songs from 1975 to the present; provides a look at the uniquely British aspects of his work; and uniquely spotlights his compositional techniques and approaches to musical form. The book covers everything from Costello's first album "My Aim Is True" as well as his other albums in the 1970s to his body of work in the '80s and '90s to his continuing eclecticism in the 21st century as he successfully integrates what would appear to be mutually exclusive genres. The concluding chapter provides analysis of the critical commentary about Elvis Costello's work as a performer and songwriter over his long career.

Series Statement

The Praeger singer-songwriter collection

Subject

• Costello, Elvis
• Costello, Elvis > Criticism and interpretation
• Great Britain
• Rock music
• Rock music > Great Britain > History and criticism

Genre/Form

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-196) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Early life, early career -- My aim is true. My aim is true (1977) ; This year's model (1978) ; Armed forces (1979) ; Get happy!! (1980) -- Never quite part of the mainstream. Trust (1981) ; Imperial bedroom (1982) ; Punch the clock (1983) ; Goodbye cruel world (1984) ; King of America (1986) ; Blood & chocolate (1986) ; Spike (1989) -- Moves into jazz and classical music. Mighty like a rose (1991) ; The Juliet letters (1992) ; Brutal youth (1994) ; All this useless beauty (1996) ; Painted from memory (1998) -- New century, same eclecticism. When I was cruel (2002) ; North (2003) ; The delivery man (2004) ; The river in reverse (2006) ; Momofuku (2008) ; Secret, profane & sugar cane (2009) ; National ransom (2010) ; Wise up ghost and other songs 2013 (2013) -- Conclusions. The importance of being Elvis.

ISBN

• 9781440832154 (hard copy : alk. paper)
• 1440832153 (hard copy : alk. paper)
• 9781440832161 (ebook) (canceled/invalid)
• 1440832161 (ebook) (canceled/invalid)

LCCN

^^2015000977

OCLC

900016186

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library