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 SpotifyAmazon
2
Sweet Dreams
Don Gibson
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 02:59 SpotifyAmazon
3
Success
Johnny Mullins
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 02:41 SpotifyAmazon
4
I'm Your Toy
Chris Ethridge / Gram Parsons
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 03:23 SpotifyAmazon
5
Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down
Merle Haggard
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 02:09 SpotifyAmazon
6
Brown to Blue
Virginia Franks
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 02:41 SpotifyAmazon
7
Good Year for the Roses
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 03:08 SpotifyAmazon
8
Sittin' and Thinkin'
Charlie Rich
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 03:03 SpotifyAmazon
9
Colour of the Blues
Lawton Williams
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 02:21 SpotifyAmazon
10
Too Far Gone
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 03:27 SpotifyAmazon
11
Honey Hush
Lou Willie Turner
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 02:15 SpotifyAmazon
12
How Much I've Lied
Gram Parsons / David Rivkin
Elvis Costello & the Attractions / Elvis Costello 02:45 SpotifyAmazon
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Almost Blue

Elvis Costello Discography Browser