Elvis Costello – Elvis Costello's Kojak Variety (2004)

With Kojak Variety, Elvis Costello is a crooner, picking forgotten tunes by both minor and major artists (anyone from Screamin' Jay Hawkins to Bob Dylan). From his song selections to the pseudo-avant-rock/R&B band, Costello doesn't make any obvious moves. Yet that doesn't mean that the record is difficult--it just shows the depths of Costello's affection for music and record collecting (which is also clear from his loving, detailed liner notes). Costello and his band featuring guitarists James Burton and Marc Ribot, drummer Jim Keltner and Attraction Pete Thomas play with gusto, tearing through the songs with the vigour of a bar band on a Friday night. What matters here is the performances, and the majority of Kojak Variety is filled with fine interpretations. This album does what any good covers record should do: it makes you want to seek out the originals. Now considerably expanded with a complete second disc of 20 outtakes and collaborations--one with the New Orleans' Dirty Dozen Brass Band and one with harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler, this album gives considerable insight into Elvis Costello's taste in music and his inspirations.

Tracklist
CD 1
1. (00:02:52) Elvis Costello - Strange
2. (00:03:30) Elvis Costello - Hidden Charms
3. (00:03:53) Elvis Costello - Remove This Doubt
4. (00:03:24) Elvis Costello - I Threw It All Away
5. (00:03:21) Elvis Costello - Leave My Kitten Alone
6. (00:04:08) Elvis Costello - Everybody's Crying Mercy
7. (00:03:03) Elvis Costello - I've Been Wrong Before
8. (00:02:46) Elvis Costello - Bama Lama Bama Loo
9. (00:03:52) Elvis Costello - Must You Throw Dirt in My Face
10. (00:03:39) Elvis Costello - Pouring Water on a Drowning Ma
11. (00:03:40) Elvis Costello - The Very Thought of You
12. (00:02:58) Elvis Costello - Payday
13. (00:04:55) Elvis Costello - Please Stay
14. (00:03:04) Elvis Costello - Running Out of Fools
15. (00:04:58) Elvis Costello - Days

CD 2
1. (00:05:20) Elvis Costello - Ship of Fools
2. (00:02:01) Elvis Costello - My Resistance Is Low
3. (00:04:30) Elvis Costello - Innocent When You Dream
4. (00:03:14) Elvis Costello - I'm Coming Home
5. (00:03:09) Elvis Costello - The Dark End of the Street
6. (00:02:48) Elvis Costello - Congratulations
7. (00:02:14) Elvis Costello - You're Gonna Make Lonesome When You Go
8. (00:02:55) Elvis Costello - Pouring Water on a Drowning Man[Alternate Version]
9. (00:02:24) Elvis Costello - Still Feeling Blue
10. (00:04:04) Elvis Costello - Brilliant Disguise
11. (00:02:31) Elvis Costello - How Long Has This Been Going On
12. (00:03:56) Elvis Costello - Sleepless Nights
13. (00:02:50) Elvis Costello - Step Inside Love
14. (00:02:38) Elvis Costello - You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
15. (00:02:19) Elvis Costello - Sally Sue Brown
16. (00:01:37) Elvis Costello - Sticks and Stones
17. (00:03:12) Elvis Costello - That's How You Got Killed Before
18. (00:05:08) Elvis Costello - The Night Before Larry Was Stretched
19. (00:05:02) Elvis Costello - But Not for Me
20. (00:02:59) Elvis Costello - Full Force Gale

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