Almost Blue

Elvis Costello / Elvis Costello & the Attractions

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Almost Blue Review

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Elvis Costello's "country record" is usually written off as a vanity project, but Almost Blue is quite a bit more than that. It's one of the most entertaining cover records in rock & roll, simply because of its enthusiasm. The album begins with a roaring version of Hank Williams' "Why Don't You Love Me" and doesn't stop. Costello sings with conviction on the tear-jerking ballads, as well as on barn burners like "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down." It's clear that Costello knows this music, and it's also clear who he learned it from: Gram Parsons. Costello covers Parsons' "Hot Burrito No. 1" and "How Much I Lied," and all of the music on Almost Blue recalls Parsons' taste for hardcore honky tonk and weepy ballads. It's to Costello's credit that he made a record relying on emotion to pay tribute.

Track Listing

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
1	Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used to Do?)	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	01:39	Spotify Amazon
2	Sweet Dreams Don Gibson	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	02:59	Spotify Amazon
3	Success Johnny Mullins	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	02:41	Spotify Amazon
4	I'm Your Toy Chris Ethridge / Gram Parsons	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	03:23	Spotify Amazon
5	Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down Merle Haggard	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	02:09	Spotify Amazon
6	Brown to Blue Virginia Franks	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	02:41	Spotify Amazon
7	Good Year for the Roses	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	03:08	Spotify Amazon
8	Sittin' and Thinkin' Charlie Rich	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	03:03	Spotify Amazon
9	Colour of the Blues Lawton Williams	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	02:21	Spotify Amazon
10	Too Far Gone	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	03:27	Spotify Amazon
11	Honey Hush Lou Willie Turner	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	02:15	Spotify Amazon
12	How Much I've Lied Gram Parsons / David Rivkin	Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello	02:45	Spotify Amazon