well, as promised, the second night at the tabernacle. he tried to do a lot of songs not done last night. an incomplete and out of order set list:

miracle man
alison/put your sweet lips up to the phone/suspicious minds
pump it up
radio radio
green shirt
new amsterdam/hide your love away
i can't stand up for falling down
tonight the bottle let me down
stranger in the house
wondering, wondering
i want to be loved
brilliant mistake
13 steps lead down
(what's so funny 'bout) peace, love and understanding?
uncomplicated
dust 2…
episode of blonde
i hope you're happy now
45
deep dark truthful mirror/you really got a hold on me
dissolve
spooky girl friend
human hands
the judgement
honey, are straight, or are you blind?
leave my kitten alone
i want you
almost blue
the angels want to wear my red shoes

again, elvis was in good voice. one of the amazing things about elvis these past few years is that he has continued to work on his voice. he is now an incredible singer. if you'd have told me he would be a tremendous singer, back when i first saw him (1981), i would have said you're crazy. of all the good things i would have said about him at that point, it would have never been about his vocal abilities. but he has put in the work.
the band is really tight and rocks very hard.
there was a little country set including the george jones cover - wondering, wondering.
he told a funny story about coming down in the elevator in philly and running in to jennifer lopez, but she couldn't get on because a bellhop had filled the elevator with too many bags (such a missed opportunity).
it is really a joy to see an artist at the top of their game and that is the most salient point about the last 2 nights.
goodnight

Sounds great! I love how he tries to do many different songs and changes up the selection with different shows. He must have a really strong band. I think as far as his singing voice goes, for a lot of people, it's an acquired taste- but he has definitely improved much. In fact, I think the work he did with Bacharach really brought out the "singer" in him.

Curious about that Jennifer Lopez comment, though. I have a feeling ol' J-Ho has no idea what a legend Elvis Costello is. I bet she doesn't even know who Elvis Costello is.

medoc2003 said:

I've always liked Elvis, but I really only got into him and started buying albums over the last few years. But, you're right. From the early albums I really wouldn't have called him a master vocalist. But when I saw him on this most recent tour, I was completely blown away. Nearly brought to tears several times, by his voice alone.

Elvis Costello, as I have said a million times before, is my favorite artist ever... he is absolutely the greatest songwriter.

I envy your getting to see that great show!

my head is still spinning, and i'm still recovering. my work has me up at 4:30 am and i usually have 13-14 hour days at work, so, back to back late nights are very wearing. i went directly from work (after changing in the bathroom) to both shows,to get decent seats, as both shows were general admission.

but, that being said, i wouldn't have missed them for anything. amazing set lists for both nights with significantly different shows each night.

the tabernacle is a very intimate venue, really a club venue instead of a theater or ampitheater which really added to the whole experience.

Elvis RULES! He's one of the best singer/songwriters out there. Hopefully some of y'all caught him lending his voice on the Simpsons last night>

I got into a really HUGE argument in the old General Discussion forum for saying that I thought that Elvis Costello was a better songwriter than Prince. The argument was massive with many fams joining in... I didn't give up and I still think that Elvis Costello is a much better songwriter than Prince!

Let's hear it for Declan Patrick MacManus!

It's a close call in terms of song writing. Prince is better in other ways than Elvis, but Elvis may get the edge in terms of songwriting.

Prince is still my all time fave though!

i think, in terms of a lyricist, costello is unparalleled in popular music. his wit and brilliant use of language far exceeds everyone, including prince, in pop/rock music.

as a songsmith, i think it really boils down to your taste. costello mines certain veins, prince mines other veins of music. both are brilliant.

in terms of musicianship and performance, prince rules, he far exceeds elvis, not even close, really.