My Flame Burns Blue [Includes Bonus CD]

Charles Mingus (Composer), Elvis Costello (Composer), Dave Bartholomew (Composer), Billy Strayhorn (Composer), Burt / Costello, Elvis Bacharach (Composer), Vince Mendoza (Conductor), Michael Tilson Thomas (Conductor), Metropole Orchestra (Performer), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Steve Nieve (Performer), Elvis Costello (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Metropole Orchestra, Steve Nieve, Elvis Costello
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Vince Mendoza, Michael Tilson Thomas
• Composer: Charles Mingus, Elvis Costello, Dave Bartholomew, Billy Strayhorn, Burt / Costello, Elvis Bacharach
• Audio CD (February 28, 2006)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000E0OF0W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,467 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Elvis Costello takes the occasion of his first official live release (recorded with the 52-piece Metropole Orkest at The Hague's North Sea Jazz Festival in 2004) to not only recap the various non-rock/pop genres the restless veteran singer-songwriter has explored in recent years, but recast a few of his songbook favorites in striking new musical arrangements as well. The widow of Charles Mingus commissioned Costello to pen lyrics for the rousing revamp of the jazz legend's "Hora Decubitus" that anchors the album, a task he also performs for the bluesy title track, a reworking of Billy Strayhorn's final composition "Blood Count." Elvis wends through such oblique compositional corners as "Favourit! e Hour" and "Upon A Veil of Midnight Blue," a moody song originally written for blues great Charles Brown, but ultimately thoroughly reworked as "I Wonder How She Knows." "Clubland" is charged with savory Latin rhythms, "Almost Blue" recast as autumnal orchestral lament and "Watching the Detectives" re-imagined as jazzy, Bernard Herrmann-esque ‘50s TV theme. Other standouts include a swinging big band cover of Dave Bartholomew's "That's How You Got Killed Before" and a gorgeous rendition of his first Burt Bacharach collaboration, "God Give Me Strength." The set's bonus disc explores yet another intriguing corner of Costello's contemporary non-pop career via the 45-minute orchestral Il Sogno Suite, music culled from his '04 score for the Aterbaletto dance troupe's Italian production of A Midsummer's Night Dream. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elvis at middle age - I hope you're happy now!, February 28, 2006

By 

S. Reiff (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: My Flame Burns Blue [Includes Bonus CD] (Audio CD)

I've been an avid follower of Elvis' music since My Aim is True. Through the years he has explored a wide variety of styles, some of which worked (his brilliant early works) and some that didn't (do I have to even mention his classical forays). It's been hard to make sense of Elvis as I wondered if he was adopting more "mature" music in order to impress us with his feigned sophistication. After listening to his recent NPR CD with Marian McPartland, I began to see just how comfortable Elvis is with jazz and classical music. On My Flame Burns Blue (MFBB), Elvis pours his heart into his music, much like he did on his first few brilliant albums. It took a few listens to one of my favorite Elvis songs, "Clubland" before I could accept it as where he is musically. The other tracks also work - his voice has never sounded better. I am glad that he is continuing to present us with interesting new music - after seeing the Rolling Stones at the Super Bowl I shudder to think of Elvis at 60+ years old becoming a parody of himself. Elvis is the very rare artist that takes chances musically, seemingly paying no interest to sales figures, popularity, and radio play. How many other artists will follow this path? Don't buy the CD if you are looking for 1970's and 1980's Elvis. There will always be new angry artists being touted. It's a pity that this CD will be virtually ignored while the newest American Idol will sell millions.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't get this darn thing off my CD player!!, March 16, 2006

By 

J. A. Buss "Lack Of Sleep" (Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: My Flame Burns Blue [Includes Bonus CD] (Audio CD)

First off, let me premise by saying I wasn't that big of an Elvis Costello fan to begin with. I didn't really stick around after the first couple of albums. I mainly got this one after finding out Bill Frissel plays on three of the tracks.

All I can say is that I was blown away by this disc. I don't think I've ever heard a better-quality live recording. The music is amazing. If you even remotely dabble in Jazz, swing, or big-band, you will find something here you love. "Almost Blue" and "Veil of Midnight Blue" are so incredibly tender, while "Clubland" and "Watching the Detectives" are so electric, you can't not get up and shake it. The biggest gem for me had to be "Speak Darkly, My Angel". It doesn't get much better than this.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Costello Takes On Jazz, February 28, 2006

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: My Flame Burns Blue [Includes Bonus CD] (Audio CD)

My Flame Burns Blue is a live recording by Elvis Costello where he is backed by the jazz orchestra Metropole Orkest. The album consists of a reworking of several of his well-known songs, some his more recent material, songs he wrote for others that he never recorded and some instrumental jazz songs that he has written new lyrics for. The album sounds like it could be an experiment gone wrong, but it is yet another triumph by Mr. Costello. He is a true musical chameleon who can jump in between various musical styles with ease. The album really works due to the great interaction between Mr. Costello and the band. He doesn't treat them merely as a backing band, but allows the musicians to standout in their own right.