Customer Reviews

Complicated Shadows: The Life and Music of Elvis Costello

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Elvis is my all-time favourite musician and I really was looking for a book about the life of Elvis. Complicated Shadows is a thorough treatment of the music of Elvis Costello, delving into his upbringing in a musical household through to about 2004. In all it is a scholarly treatise. Like many scholarly endeavors, it comes across as dry in spots.

I don't want to shoot the messenger, but unfortunately Graeme Thomson had the auspicious and daunting task of writing about a very reclusive and private person. As such, almost (if not) all parts of the book are second-hand accounts of the man, focusing mostly on his music rather than himself since he remains to this day a shadowy subject. I did not get the sense that Mr. Thomson was ever able to have any sort of direct meaningful conversation with Elvis.

If you are interested in knowing the exact order of songs played at a particular venue in 1987, you are in for a treat. As for me, I tired of the musical critique, setlists, and comparisons to other songs (and especially the overuse of the word "pastiche") and was hoping to learn more about the person. Graeme Thomson is obviously a big Elvis fan, but even he was not able to penetrate the layers of veils around his life to delve more into personal matters. It's like trying to learn of someone solely based on their works rather than directly talking and interviewing the person.

I was glad I got the book from a library as I would have felt bad paying for it. As I read the last words and finished the book, I felt I had learned just a bit more of the man, but he really does remain in the shadows.

This book is heavily researched, and you have to commend the author for taking on such a private subject to begin with. You can sense his enthusiasm and respect for Costello's music, but, even though every Costello album is covered in detail, I was left wanting more. I enjoyed learning new tidbits of information about the various inspirations for some of Costello's more noteworthy songs, but in the end I didn't feel like the book really addressed both parts of its subtitle: Thomson ably covers the "music" of Elvis Costello, but the "life"--his relationship with his family and friends--was a bit lacking. Also the narrative didn't move along with a real thrust; this is no page-turner, in fact it's kind of stagnant in some chapters (felt like a textbook at times). In the end, as a huge Costello fan seeking insight into his brilliant music, the book was worth the read, but it wasn't a particularly enjoyable one.

Elvis Costello has been my favorite artist since 1979, when in college I bought "Armed Forces" and was blown away. I quickly bought everything by him that I could find. Over the years I've also purchased several EC biographies (some obscure and now out of print). This new book is by far the best of the pack. It is very well written (by a Brit) and has literally hundreds of interesting tidbits I'd never heard before. It also fleshes out many well-known stories, answering a lot of questions in the process. It's a must-have if you're even a moderate fan of EC's music or enjoy good biographies of brilliant people.

I found out a lot about EC in this book that I did not know. The man definitely is private. Knowing about his relationships and upbringing give me a lot of insight into the songs. I can see the songs in a different light and it will make re-listening more fun.

On the downside, I found the very detailed set lists from performances over the years took up too much space in the book. It's interesting to a point, but by late in his career what he chose to play in Pasadena in the 30th year of his career out of hundreds and hundreds of songs just isn't that interesting. I felt like it was used to pad the book some.

I found it surprising just how quickly he turned into a real talent very quickly around 1976-77. Previously his work and performances had been pretty uninspired. The guy just had immense latent talent that blossomed at just the right time.

Also, after reading the book, I have to conclude that while he became a very talented songwriter and singer, his success probably stunted him emotionally (rock stars are allowed to be nasty and get away with it) and facilitated his continued bad behavior as a human being. At times nasty, vain, selfish, unprincipled, disloyal, and even cruel, he is not a "good man", but neither is he completely without his positive qualities.

Reading this book and other items over the years I do find it a turnoff to enjoying the songs sometimes. Previously I saw him as a put-upon underdog "voice of truth" righteously disgusted by the ways of the world and how he had been treated. Turns out he was just another cheating jerk whose wife probably nagged him about his cheating and he got in a lot of fights about it which became great songs. Worse still, it seems that anyone who might stand up to him and even return some of the teasing/cruelty becomes persona-non-grata. The wife, the second wife, and Bruce Thomas come to mind. I found Bruce's loyalty to Steve Nieve more admirable than any of the ostentatious "good deeds" EC has done over the years. Because he stood up for Steve when it wasn't in front of crowds, knowing he'd pay the price for it.

Enjoyed the book. Definitely worth a read. It drags in the last couple of decades, as has EC's career and quality of output, unfortunately.

Anyone interested in Elvis Costello should enjoy this book. Covers a lot of material that has previously been written about but is so well written and provides so much more new info that it is simply a must for your bookshelf. As an added bonus, it also provides a lot of great new photos. Just a wonderful read all around.

This is without a doubt THE book on EC.
I found it to be a REAL page turner, and was assembled in a brilliant way - especially the opening chapter.
I honestly think Elvis himself would agree that it was done with accuracy, sensitivity and fairness. It's insightful, intelligent, and extremely interesting. A great bonus to go along with the fine research done are many never before seen, very interesting photos.
Great Job Graeme!!!! You did the man proud!!

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK ABOUT ELVIS FROM HIS BIRTH THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER UP UNTIL HIS INDUCTION INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME AND THE RELEASE OF "THE DELIVERY MAN" CD!!! (UP UNTIL ABOUT 2003?)

IT COVERS THAT HE ALWAYS LIKE TO PLAY SOME HANK WILLIAMS SONGS AND SOME GRAM PARSONS' SONGS!!! IT COVERS HIS CLASSIC ALBUMS,WHICH ARE MANY, BUT SOME OF MY FAVORTIE ONES INCLUDE HIS DEBUT ALBUM IN 1977 (I CAN'T THINK OF THE NAME OF IT NOW), I LIKED THE SONG "EVERYDAY I WRITE THE BOOK", AND I LIKED THE ALBUMS "KING OF AMERICA" , "ALMOST BLUE" AND "KOJAK VARIETY" (THIS FEATURES JAMES BURTON ON GUITAR), AND THE "DELIVERY MAN".

ELVIS HAS BEEN AND IS A VERY PROLIFIC SONG WRITER, AND MUSICIAN. HE IS A VERY VERSATILE MUSICIAN. HE CAN DO ROCK, COUNTRY, RHYTYM & BLUES, AND CLASSICAL. THIS BOOKS POINTS OUT THESE THINGS.

ELVIS HAS HAD A VERY INTERESTING LIFE, WHICH HAS INCLUDED SOME CONTROVERIES, HOWEVER HE ALWAYS FACED THESE CONTROVERIES, AND WORKED THROUGH THEM, RESULTING IN POSITIVE OUTCOMES. HE HAS PROVED HIMSELF AND HAS WON THE RESPECT OF ARTISTS FROM ALL GENRE'S AND RACE'S. THIS BOOK COVERS SOME OF THESE CONTROVERIES AND STORIES.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD ROCK BIOGRAPHY. IT COVERS A LOT ABOUT THE STORIES BEHIND SOME OF HIS MUSIC.

IT COVERS HIS MARRIAGE TO THE BEAUTIFUL JAZZ SINGER DIANA KRALL. IT COVERS HIS INDUCTION INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME!!!

IF YOU LIKE ROCK BIOGRAPHIES OF THIS TYPE ON A VERSATIVE MUSICIAN (NOT LIMITED TO ONE GENRE OF MUSIC). THEN, I THINK YOU'D LIKE THIS ONE, AND IN THAT CONTEXT, I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!

Every so often, Elvis pops into my life, usually strongly. These are "exciting" periods in general. Good news: Elvis is back! Elvis is a great soundtrack for all you out there! And don't get beaten to the punch!

Certainly a must-read for any Elvis fan. I enjoyed it immensely! The only possible downside was that I didn't realize that the last paragraph was (indeed) the last paragraph - and turned the page, ready for more!

No biography can ever have everything but for me this feels very in depth. I really appreciated the insights into Elvis' childhood. I knew Ross and Lillian ( parents ) were in the music business but I now have have clear visions of how Elvis' eclectic music roots flourished.

I have 'loved' Elvis since 1978, personally I couldn't put the book down.