Some might only know him for his 'hit songs' or his cool guitars including his Fender Jazzmaster, Telles and Strats along with his vintage tweed amps.

I think he's got a great knack for songwriting, his voice is very distinct and his bandmates are always some of the best in the world.

The fact that he's married to a sweetheart, Diana Krall, a very talented jazz pianist and has performed for many charities as well as having his own show (Spectacle) and playing the Beatles' "Penny Lane' at the Whitehouse is also pretty cool, IMO.

Some of his songs that I really like are :

Allison
The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes
What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding
Veronica
Watching The Detectives
Oliver's Army
Pump It Up
From A Whisper To A Scream
Everyday I Write The Book
She
(I Don't Want to Go To) Chelsea

IMO, it takes a talented singer/songwriter to have T-Bone Burnett offer
to producer your music and shows pro bono.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I haven't been following him too much lately other than catching his TV program the odd time but I loved his older stuff like Armed Forces etc.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

His current touring band includes former bandmates along with Vince Gill, Marc Ribot, Buddy Miller, and Leon Russell. Elvis told Scotland's The Herald, "The ensemble ranges from two players to nine pieces and while some songs are very intimate and quiet, others are not."

http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

...and because this thread is useless without pictures, here's his wife : (very talented jazz pianist, Diana Krall)

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Elvis is the bomb! Ive been following him since his first release in 77 "My Aim Is True" 1977 (UK) 1978 (US)

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

Hey Mike,

I spent some time last night drooling over this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojsVB7idTLw

One of the most amazingly talented and beautiful woman I've ever seen and a very cool looking Tele.

Oh, yeah - Elvis Costello is in the video too!

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer

Big love for EC. Tremendous songwriter, great producer and an incredible talent. He's innovative and his songs hold up today as they did when he wrote them. Clearly a very prolific musician. I've been a fan for years.

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2008 MIA Telecaster Crimson Red
2009 Highway 1 Telecaster Sunburst Maple
2010 Martin D-1
Vox Pathfinder 15R
Vox Night Train 15W
WhiteBox Cab w/12in Eminence Man O' War

It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive...

love elvis costello.

i would add to your list of songs to include

radio radio
goon squad
this year's model
moods for moderns
and accidents will happen

i know his old backup band was better than he was/is. (huey lewis and the news)

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Of course! His new album doesn't disappoint. My favorite will always be My Aim is True. The guy is awesome!

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I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

Elvis Costello and his band captured the hearts of music lovers when they started to be seen and heard and have gained fans steadily ever since, yes Mike there is definitely love for The Attractions and their front man.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

KInd of... The backing band for Costello was Named "Clover" they were with Elvis in 77 for his first record, and broke up in 78. Sean Harper and Micky shine were the only members to help become "The News" Jon Mcfee went to the Doobies..

Sorry Im kind of a Elvis head...

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

huey lewis and sean were in a band called clover.
after a trip to england colver became the original
backing band for elvis, but w/o huey.
huey went on to blow harp for thin lizzy for a period.
he soon reunited with a former band mate and 3 guys from a rival
band and the group huey lewis and american express was born.
in or around 1980 the credit card company american express
started a stink and huey changed the bands name to
huey lewis and the news and later in the same yr recorded
their first album.
micky shine never was in huey lewis and the news. (news head sorry )

the news:
Huey Lewis -vocals, harmonica
Sean Hopper - keyboards,
Johnny Colla - guitar, saxophone
Mario Cipollina - bass guitar
Chris Hayes - guitar,

Bill Gibson - drums, percussion,

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

EC has been a fav of mine for years!
Great songwriter and performer. Seen him in lots of settings and each time been impressed!
Seen Diana twice and she's a great singer. Love that smokey voice of hers!

Love to see EC do another collaboration with McCartney.

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-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

I first saw/heard Diana on his show (Spectacle) with Tony Bennett and I've been jealous of Elvis ever since. She plays great piano, has that sultry voice and very easy on the eyes.

Interesting that they both keep their careers separate.

EC and Macca - yes - 'Veronica' was a great collab!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Always love Elvis Costello's music. Our band covered a ton of his stuff in the 70's.
This is dating myself too, I'm a big fan of "The Sensational Alex Harvey Band" too. Also covered a bunch of his stuff.Shame he's passed.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal