Let Them All Talk: The Music of Elvis Costello (Sanctuary Music Library) [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Brian Hinton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 1999

The first full study of the extraordinary career of this enigmatic singer/songwriter--London born Elvis Costello.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Sanctuary Publishing; illustrated edition edition (July 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860741967
• ISBN-13: 978-1860741968
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,119,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What A Great Talent, March 15, 2002

By 

Brandon Carroll (Glen Ridge, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let Them All Talk: The Music of Elvis Costello (Sanctuary Music Library) (Paperback)

I just finished this book today. I am not that versed in Mr. Costello but I got curious when I finished the autobiography of Bebe Buell, "Rebel Heart", with Victor Bockris. I am now curious to explore his music mentioned in both books. I love a good love story!! This one sort of reminds me of the movie "Immortal Beloved" with Gary Oldman. After finishing this bio by Hinton, I was left wondering how one man could have so much talent and so many songs inside of him. It is rare to say the least. The only music I have by Mr. Costello is the "Painted From Memory" effort, which I really enjoy. I guess I will have to go and purchase the entire lot at this point!
As for this book, I found it interesting and complete. Many times I found it hard to put down. When you read this book back to back with Ms. Buell's bio, it is even more entertaining. My final word, is that Mr. Costello is a genius and a master of mind games. Wordplay is also a specialty of his and I think he will be around as an artist for a very long time. An enormous talent for sure!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Costello Fan To The MAX!!, March 13, 2002

By 

Samuel Clarke (Richmond, Indiana US of A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let Them All Talk: The Music of Elvis Costello (Sanctuary Music Library) (Paperback)

I think some of the reviews about this book are a tad harsh and unfounded. I really enjoyed the thing and all the fun theories on the topics of his songs and such. I feel that Hinton did a very complete job of exploring all the possibilities. I think that even if Costello himself were to write his own book, it would be veiled in mystery. Most writers of his talent love to confuse and excite the listener. I feel this book answered alot of questions and confirmed alot of MAYBE's... I think that this is the best of the Costello tomes and I can't wait to hear the new record, "When I Was Cruel". Sounds like he is trying to say sorry to someone. And whats up with the two big bumble "Bees" on the cover?? I can hardly wait!!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Painstaking reading, even for big Costello fans., November 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Let Them All Talk: The Music of Elvis Costello (Sanctuary Music Library) (Paperback)

They say anybody can write a book and Let Them All Talk is proof positive of that addage. This autobiography is a pastiche of interviews, press clippings and personal accounts. In short, it is painstaking reading.

If you can say anything good about this book, at the least, it is a fairly comprehensive account of Costello's career. The only problem is that it is so loosely strung together it is like reading an unassembled jigsaw puzzle. Almost every single paragraph seems to switch gears midway through, leaving me wondering if parts of a second book been inserted piecemeal into the one I was reading.

As a final note, Hinton shows extremely bad taste in criticizing the work of Tony Clayton-Lea, Krista Reese and David Gouldstone. I mean hey, let's leave that stuff on the playground.

Only a Costello fan would buy this book and unfortunately, only a Costello fan COULD read this book.