Elvis

As the second step in my reintroduction to live music, last night I saw Elvis Costello for the ninth time since 1977.  We go back a long way.

Elvis was backed up by the three-piece band, The Imposters, two-thirds of whom (Steve Nieve on keyboards and Pete Thomas on drums) have played with him since 1977.  We all go back a long way.

First time at Arizona Federal Theater, a large venue with 5,000 seats.  It wasn't a sellout but was pretty full.  Good venue and I'd definitely go see other shows there.

No opening act.  No encore.  In between, Elvis and the Imposters played for 2 1/2 hours with more than 30 songs.  A real hard rocking show.  Eight of the songs were in the set list of that 1977 show:

Watching the Detectives (probably the finest version I've heard him do)

Alison

Mystery Dance

I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea

You Belong To Me

This Year's Model

Radio Radio

Pump It Up

Elvis' voice has lost some range and fullness since we last saw him in April 2016.  Possibly attributable to age and/or his 2018 bout with aggressive prostate cancer requiring surgery and treatment, but he can still deliver a song.

Here's a clip from his Philadelphia show a couple of weeks ago.  He closed with the same songs last night: Radio Radio, Alison, Pump It Up and What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love and Understanding?  Sound quality is poor, it was much more powerful in person last night.