Which was most influential

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by rico

I bought this "Storytellers VH1" CD at Goodwill and ended up loving it. One of the songs is Elvis Costello. I think it's called, "just a memory," but I'm not sure. The chorus goes, "losing you, is just a memory, memories don't mean that much to me." I scream that song at the top of my longs when I hear it. And ya know what? That is the only Elvis Costello song I've ever heard. I want to check out more of it. Which songs/albums do I start with?

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.

[rico]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

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.

Awesome, you've got me stoked about this.

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

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.

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

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

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

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

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.

I'll give you the Traveling Wilburys...

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by Rausch

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)