Well sir.. you have come to the right place!

Here is the problem.. Elvis Costello has done it all. His music spans so many different styles and genres that it's hard to just say "start here." BUT at least we have a starting point with "Just a Memory." That came from Get Happy! his 4th album. That song is slower than the typical songs on that album. So if you want that style, you will want to go forward in time with his work rather than going back. That style is closer (imho) to Trust or what is often considered the greatest EC album (produced by Geoff Emerick) Imperial Bedroom.

If you want I can suggest some favorite songs and see if they are on YouTube. Oh, another good "starter" album I have found is King of America. it really defines the "middle" of his career for me and is just a damn good album.

I've noticed that a lot of musicians mention David Bowie as being influential. Fred Neil is another one. Heck, he wrote the original "Everybody's Talking" popularized by Nilsson. Totally awesome. His most popular song is probably the song that played on the Sopranos when Chris relapsed at a carnival setting. Song is called "The Dolphins." Good shit.

Jeff Buckley is a semi-recent obscure musician that I notice many artists reference as being influential. Most notably Thom Yorke. I heard that he was one of the contributing factors that prompted Radiohead to move on from their "Pablo Honey" sound in terms of vocals. Many hardcore Buckley fans claim that you can notice Yorke channeling Buckley in Kid A.

Noticed that there are a lot of connections with the bands I have mentioned in this thread:

Nilsson: worked with John Lennon and when the members of the Beatles were asked who their favorite American musician was, one or more of them instantly replied, "Nilsson." Nilsson covered a Fred Neil Song called "Everybody's Talking." Bob Dylan, before becoming Bob Dylan, played harmonica for Fred Neil. Jeff Buckley's father, (Tim), covered "The Dolphins." Stone Temple Pilots front man has mentioned David Bowie being his most prominent musical influence. Same with Trent Reznor (my all time favorite musician). David Bowie mentioned Jeff Buckley's "Grace" album as 1 of 5 he would choose to have with him on a deserted island. Thom Yorke reportedly is a huge fan of Buckley and has been accused of channeling him. Scott Weiland is a huge Radiohead fan....claimed that the OK Computer album was contributory in getting him through one of his rehab stints.

Another band that I've noticed referenced as being influential to other artists: Joy Division.

Here is "The Dolphins" by Fred Neil. Great song. Obscure as hell. Below it is the original version of "Everybody's Talkin'."

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RP4wnGTwLtg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KiR5NQoqWns" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Au contraire

http://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=263696

I've seen the Vedder/Weiland debate quite a few times.... many people debating back and forth whether or not Weiland ripped Vedder's vocal style. I am glad Weiland started mixing it up on "Purple." Heck, one of my favorite all time songs is a very, very obscure song by STP on the under-appreciated No. 4 album called, "I Got You." I think everything about that song is just...amazing...I absolutely love the lyrics to that song.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9fGoJOIrygY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Awesome, you've got me stoked about this.

Ok here is a good primer on the Imperial Bedroom album...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J76dprNEOgE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZrX7J9wN8Mk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Let me know if you want darker, or more melodic, or more upbeat... I can steer ya in the right direction!

The more I think about it, this album or Trust or Armed Forces really should be decent starting points.. unless you want the REALLY raw (by raw I mean emotionally not musically) stuff... then we'd want to try out the first two albums.

Please send me a PM. I can't guarantee that I'll respond immediately but I'll give a few details.

Essentially, a guy named Keith from San Diego heard a new sound and sought out a singer that would be sing what he heard in his head.

You may not know Keith's name but his music can be heard all over cable and network TV.

Sometimes, things don't work as we planned but fortunately, they turn out better.

Both vids = awesome. I am now listening to some more of his songs on youtube.

I am officially Curious freaking George. Been a fan of both bands for years. My dad of all people, who is 52 years old, got me into both bands when I was 8-9 years old.

Just to cover my bases.. here are some later songs of Costello's

So Like Candy - 1991
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dgyPs5bS3DM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Why Can't a Man Stand Alone -1996
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/poXaa5RDMSI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ok, to be clear, I'm trying to "match" the tone of the song you mentioned.. there are SO MANY more that are completely different. This is by no means an accurate "sample" of the breadth of his work.

Ok now here are some of my favorite official VIDEOS of his. (I include liner notes where I could find them)

The Other Side of Summer -1991
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZXlnyRIhp4M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Good Year for the Roses(originally a hit for George Jones, but Costello NAILS it and it remains one of my favorite performances.) - 1981
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ySQlU3hussQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

OK Finally, I challenge you not to get a little choked up watching this last one...

Veronica -1989
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zifeVbK8b-g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sweet! be careful, his music can be addictive. You can spend WEEKS catching up with his entire catalogue. Here is the best webpage to get all the info.. http://www.elviscostello.info

This. I don't think it's even close.

Having been there for both, it has to be Elvis. Elvis was like nothing most of us had ever seen. That's not to take anything away from the Beatles, but if it wasn't for Elvis, there wouldn't have been mainstream rock and roll. Even though Ed Sullivan wouldn't televise him below the waist, we all knew it was cool. The Bealtes did not write their early hits, they were covers of Bo Diddley. Chuck Berry, etc.
The Beatles became a huge influence. They wrote most of their songs, something most artists didn't do. They wrote songs of love and peace in a time many of us were questioning the values of Eisenhower America (and I know LBJ was President when they hit the States). But those songs came later.

Nice. I was just wondering if anyone mentioned Chuck Berry or Bo Diddley in this thread. :thumb:

I had a David Bowie 'Live at the Beeb' album where he covered Berry's 'We're Almost Grown.' Wasn't some amazing cover, but showed me the respect he had for Berry.

And Diddley's 'Who Do You Love' is a fav of mine

Elvis didn't write songs. Elvis didn't play on his recordings. Elvis didn't engineer his records. Elvis didn't produce his records.

Elvis was an entertainer. He was absolutely amazing and the best entertainer since Frank, but an entertainer, nonetheless. Once Elvis got out of the Army, his popularity waned so he turned to movies.

After The Beatles split, they became even more popular. Each of them had successful solo careers and were loved by billions.

There people to this day all over the world that reference The Beatles in their works, whether it's Soundgarden or Coldplay or Oasis or any number of million selling acts (not to mention all the acts in the 60's and 70's. Oh, and Tears for Fears, etc. and so on).

There are very few, if any artists/songwriters that wake up and say "I wanna be like Elvis".

"before elvis, there was nothing."

it's a silly comparison.

Sorry to disagree, Stevie, but plenty of influential artists existed before and during Elvis' short reign (whom I absolutely LOVE).

Charlie Christian, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Bo Diddley, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Freddie King, BB King, Muddy Waters and so on and so forth.

Elvis was The King. Sometimes imitated but never duplicated.

I suspect a poll fixed by dumbassery...

Not only that but it's a weird question to ask the fanbase of a midwestern football team, 99% of whom do not work in the music business as songwriters, musical artists, producers or engineers.

THOSE people will provide the real answer.

quote is from Lennon. as i'm sure you are aware.

it's silly because comparing one guy to four isn't realistic.
Like Johhny Cash, EP is in rnr, country and gospel HOF's. that alone speaks to a broader range of influence.

This is the first time I've ever wanted to kick yer' nuts up 'round your ears...

You're right: It's really silly. Elvis and The Beatles inspired countless millions (if not billions, seriously) to pick up an instrument and learn to sing or play.

Only a teeny-weeny fraction of those people were then able to turn those influences into commercially viable music for everyone else to enjoy.

Personally, Elvis ranks infinitely higher for me than The Beatles. But I have to acknowledge that I know way more people in the field of music that were inspired and continue to be inspired by The Beatles to this day.

The bottom line is that they were both groundbreaking and amazing acts and we're fortunate to have been able to enjoy their works.

LMAO

There's way more to this than just what Hollywood engineers think. They are far from the only people who are allowed to be influenced by the music of the Beatles, or Elvis, or Zeppelin, or anyone really. Think of how many people learned how to play guitar, piano, or learned how to sing because they were moved by the music of some of these bands. But maybe that's misreading the question.

Right and I mentioned that. And it's not just Hollywood engineers. It's every engineer or producer in the world.

:thumb:

:thumb:

just say no to Elvis Costello.

:LOL:

my advice to you sir it to either get a life or start drinking heavily.

I'm over the top on both counts!

It's fine if you don't like EC.. but it's hard not to recognize the breadth of his work.

Let's list a few genres he has done significant work in...

punk/new wave
soul
country
Tin Pan Alley pop
reggae
rock
blues
jazz
classical (string quartet and even a ballet)
torch songs
etc etc the list goes on...

My taste in music is EXTREMELY broad and fairly deep and EC is one of the few artists that even comes close to touching on a noticeable fraction of it.

The guy has 30 studio albums.. only 8 of which didn't break the top 100... mostly due to being limited releases.

let's look at some of the artists he has written for... (and often with)

Chet Baker
David Crosby
Roy Orbison
Johnny Cash
Paul McCartney
nick Lowe
Dusty Springfield
Alison Krauss
The Chieftains
The Dubliners
Sam Moore
Roger McGuinn
and many many more

and this doesn't cover the people who have covered his works... bands like
Green Day
Linda Ronstadt
Duran Duran
Toto
Bob Walkenhorst(had to slip in the local boy)
George Jones
Ben Folds Five

And this list is just from his FIRST ALBUM. The full list is massive

I'll give you the Traveling Wilburys...

I love me some Wilburys. Otis Wilbury is one of my all time favorite artists and producers. A seriously underrated talent outside the business.

He was the one who got Nelson, Lucky, Lefty and Charlie T. Jr. to record together in the first place. (although others claim it was more Nelson's idear)

Purely influence it has to be the Beatles. Can't say I'm a huge fan of either, but I understand each ones contribution to the music industry.