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Bootleg Watch: Elvis Costello Hits the Gas on “This Years Model”

7/23/07, 1:06 pm EST

Photo: Elvis CostelloStarting this week, we’re going to be spotlighting our favorite bootlegs of the moment. No, we won’t be linking to them – we don’t want anybody to get sued on our account – but if you’re interested, start here and here.
Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Winterland Ballroom, June 7th, 1978
By the time Elvis Costello and the Attractions hit San Francisco for this show in 1978, they had been on the road pretty much nonstop for a solid year and had only just begun to play large rooms such as Bill Graham’s famed Winterland Ballroom. Performing most of This Year’s Model – Costello’s first album with the Attractions, which had hit stores just a few weeks prior – the four-piece bashed away at a frantic pace they haven‚t matched since. The songs rush by Ramones-style – there are barely any pauses between them except for Costello screaming out terse intros like, “This one’s called ‘Pump It Up!’.” This must be why all their early press called them a punk band. Highlights include a highly pressurized ‘Watching the Detectives” and a frenzied “Radio Radio,” during which Steve Nieve bangs on his organ with such force that the thing sounds like it’s on the verge of short-circuiting.

Photo:Photo: Sussman/Getty


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Comments

stan pearce | 2/10/2009, 7:35 am EST

What is up with the Rock Media ? Are they waiting for him to die until they give him the recognition he deserves ? Plug him now ! Elvis is the best singersongwriter Britain has EVER had..Long live the King !

Stan Pearce | 12/9/2008, 11:48 am EST

I was there on the Stiff tour and I have been a fanatic ever since !

heyricky | 8/13/2007, 7:57 pm EST

I was at this show…bought tickets at the last moment so had to sit up/behind the stage. It was loud and outrageous. Occasionally Elvis would turn around and wave at me and my big mouthed buddies. KSAN had broadcast it so I had a tape of it to play over and over….and I’m still listening to it!
heyricky

ben | 7/25/2007, 12:27 pm EST

Costello is King

Ya see | 7/24/2007, 11:42 pm EST

I know how to play nice!–HH

EC | 7/24/2007, 11:40 pm EST

Alison, I know this world is killing you, Oh Alison, My aim is true…

Saltlick | 7/24/2007, 11:18 am EST

Excellent, creative ,exciting time for Elvis Costello and the fab Attractions.

charles webster baer | 7/24/2007, 2:15 am EST

gigusa.blog.com

charles webster baer | 7/24/2007, 2:13 am EST

weeeee

Elvis | 7/23/2007, 3:15 pm EST

20/20 did a piece of Elvis C at this time…raw footage exists on bootleg videos that circulate

Alan C | 7/23/2007, 2:50 pm EST

For what may be the best EC live, try to find “Live at the El Mocambo.”

oh yea | 7/23/2007, 2:26 pm EST

young elvis was great!

oh yea | 7/23/2007, 2:26 pm EST

young elvis was great!

CK | 7/23/2007, 2:19 pm EST

Shame some of these artists don’t just release these shows legitimately. We could all stop skulking around if they did, and they could maybe make a few bucks on them.

Stuporfly | 7/23/2007, 2:17 pm EST

It’s amazing these artists don’t just legally release some of these incredible shows. They could even put them up for download on their website for a pittance.

COMFORT INN | 7/23/2007, 2:12 pm EST

When he was at his best

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