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Rating:
Bringing together one of the most significant English artists, who was once a punk with a controlled designation of origin, with the world's most famous classical music record label could be
a gamble not worth taking; but if the musician is named Elvis Costello and the music publishers are Deutsche Grammophon, then the risk is substantially reduced and indeed the result can be magnificent, as it is with this North.
I have always considered experimentation and never stopping in one's own creative journey after having already achieved excellence, the true mission of every artist: there would be no Guernica if Pablo Picasso had stopped at Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, and there would be no "Imagine" and "Walk On The Wild Side" if J. Lennon had stopped at the great partnership with McCartney and Lou Reed had abdicated the Velvet; or to put it in good de-baserian terms, Kid A after OK Computer!
Costello has already shown ample proof of being a great artist and of surpassing himself. After the punk, the songs of proletarian protest, and the magnificent work together with Burt Bacharach, he now falls in love with Diana Krall (his partner) and goes to encounter the atmospheres of Gershwin. The CD opens with a sound of French horns that will lead us through most of the work, where at times the solo piano and voice will create dim light and headphones atmospheres, allowing concentrated listening to truly pleasant passages, as in "Let Me Tell You About Her" or even more so in a splendid "Fallen," which alone makes the price of the CD worthwhile. "Still," brings us to the turning point of an already excellent record that will brighten many of my upcoming nights.
Almost completely eliminating the guitar and setting the drums free to brush alongside the piano sometimes only lightly touched by Steve Nieve, this album will warm up more than one evening of the impending winter paired with a good drink of high alcoholic content. It's really true: "Punk not dead!"... but it is alive and well here, and its greatest revolution is having managed to play inside Mozart's house!
Tracklist and Lyrics
06 When It Sings (03:58)
All the words you say to me
Have music in them
All the sorrows and the joys like magnetism
And a selfish boy looks through a prism
And says what is
But never asks what isn't
But a voice contains many precious things
It laughs
And then it sings
And all the lies that we can tell
To our foolish selves
Maybe this is the love song that I refused to
Write her when I loved her like I used to
And I fear my heart may spin and fracture
Like tears of stone falling from a statue
But a voice contains all that's true and false
Then cries for someone else
And for some honest tenderness
So I must confess
All the words you say to me
Have music in them
All the sorrows and the joys like magnetism
And a selfish boy looks through a prism
And says what is
But never asks what isn't
12 Impatience (04:59)
How long do I have to wait? Before I can tell you the things I've been wanting to say How long must I hesitate? I know it makes sense but it's hard for me to stay away But if this is how it has to be Maybe it's just a feeling That I could name But I'd probably best blame...impatience You can't miss - what you've never known It's quite absurd how you started disturbing me so Sometimes - when I am all alone I lose my senses I have no defences to go But if this is how I lose my heart Then I shall just embrace that My pulse is racing still I'm secretly thrilled By the laughter that tumbled And the tears that I spilled As far as I know no one ever got killed By impatience Tell me - is there danger still? I took no heed so a word might as well be deed Although - I'd really like to see you now I'm almost certain it can't be accomplished with speed So, if this how I'll bide my time Then I will set it down Til we lose our caution I'll honour your order 'Cos it's such sweet torture To carry this torch In the light of temptation Beyond conversation and all expectation Pausing a moment or two just mention... Impatience
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