Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...
Intimate interviews between host Elvis Costello and various musical guests intertwined with performances by Costello, the guests, and duets between the two.
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Ep 1Pilot: Elton John
Elvis interviewed/conversed with Elton John for most of the show. They reminisced about great singers, piano players and performers they knew or played with. Elton talked a great deal about his idols and influences. The conversation was remarkably informative. Musical highlights included Elvis Costello opening the show with the Elton John tune Border Song, Elton at the piano demonstrating various piano techniques (Leon Russell, Laura Nyro, etc.), and the two of them performing a duet of a David Ackles song called Down River. In addition there were various clips of musicians they discussed, Elvis, his band and Elton jamming on Working In The Coal Mine, a song co-written by the great Allen Toussaint, who currently is a keyboard player in Elvis's band. The end titles have Elvis and his band performing Elton John's Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun.
Ep 2Lou Reed + Julian Schnabel
Lou Reed joins Elvis for his interview/performance show. Reed, the Velvet Underground legend, discusses music, creativity and all things New York : including music, art and the old days when he was known as the Prince of Darkness. During the show, Reed is joined by Julian Schnabel, an old working buddy. Schnabel reminisces and performs what the Sundance web site describes as "a riveting - and totally spontaneous - spoken-word performance." In addition, Reed joins Elvis and his band for two musical performances.
Ep 3Bill Clinton
Former President Bill Clinton joins Elvis for his interview/performance show. The 42nd President comments on musicians who influenced his life and, according to the Sundance web site, helped shape him "as a man, a politician and a President". Clinton also talks about his early aspirations as a saxophonist, the importance of music in education, and the similar skill sets which distinguish both great musicians and great politicians. In addition, Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny join Elvis and his band for special, live musical performances.
Ep 4James Taylor
James Taylor joins Elvis for his interview/performance show. The legendary 'singer-songwriter' comments on his life, his times and the writers and musicians who influenced his four decade-long career. Taylor brings along his guitar and interweaves the often intimate conversation with some of his most famous creations (Fire And Rain, Sweet Baby James), as well as songs by several other great writers, such as Carole King and George Jones. And, as always, Elvis joins James in song for some magical, live musical performances.
Ep 5Tony Bennett
Two of the greatest performers of their respective generations discuss the people and the songs which make up the history of modern popular music. Tony Bennett, the irrepressible 83 year-old wonder, joins Elvis for his interview/performance show. The legendary singer, whose career spans the extremes of covering Hank Williams in the 1950's to winning Grammy's and partnering with k. d. lang in the first decade of the 21st century, is well matched with Elvis, whose own musical tastes and styles run the gamut of genres - past, present and future. Tony, accompanied by jazz pianist Bill Charlap, sings several classics and, according to the Sundance web site, "pulls a very special surprise guest from the audience for a spontaneous and irresistible duet".
Ep 6The Police
The format of Elvis' fantastic interview/performance show changes this week as Elvis interviews The Police both as a group and individually (perhaps wise as Andy, Sting and Stewart have always been a bit combustible in tandem). Elvis and The Police have toured together recently and it shows in their music. Sting performs the original version of the Police's big hit Roxanne and then Elvis duets separately with both Sting and Andy. For the grand finale Elvis and The Imposters join forces with The Police for what the Sundance web site promises is "an unprecedented 'mash-up' of a Costello classic and a Police essential, as well as a surprising cover of a time-tested hard rock anthem".
SundanceTV
US
