03 January, 2007

Elvis

Even though this blog was established for me to have an outlet to try to be sarcastic and humorous, only one thought is going through my head right now and it isn't sarcastic or humorous. That thought is:

Isn't Elvis Costello the best singer, songwriter, entertainer ever? Ok, I'll give you Leonard Cohen as best songwriter, but everything else applies to Elvis Costello.

9 comments:

Susan said...

Nope, sorry. I don't aqgree with either Leonard Cohen or Elvis Costello.

They are both wonderful, to be sure, but the best? What about John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Pete Townsend or Carole King as song writers?

As for entertainers, what about Freddie Mercury & Queen, or David Bowie?

Agatestone said...

Sorry. You cannot sway me. Elvis Costello and Leonard Cohen.

Susan said...

Not trying to sway you, but why do you think Elvis Costello is such a good performer?

I think he's ok and I like some of his songs but I don't see him being the best.

Frankly, I'd peg him as a better songwriter than performer - see What's so funny 'bout Peace, Love, and Understanding.

Agatestone said...

Elvis calms me when I need calming. Or, sometimes, when I need it, he gets my heart pumping with his angryrock. I've seen him live on the telly and he just displays showmanship like noneother. Who else could cover a Brittney Spears song and make it sound like an intelligent, Elvis Costello original?!? I see my opinion is bothering you, but we're just going to have to agree to disagree.

Willow said...

I have to admit that I have never warmed up to Elvis Costello. Since I was trained in vocals, I tend to focus more on that aspect of a song than any other, and Elvis's voice has always grated on my nerves.

So many of my friends like him that sometimes I wish I could at least tolerate him, but to me, he will always be the equivalent of a male "Fran Drescher," if you remember her.

I've tried, Agatestone, I've really really tried to like him!!!

Agatestone said...

Elvis Costello = Fran Drescher? I'm almost insulted, Willow. I'll forgive you though. Susan (you need to get yourself an alias, dear) and Willow, you just don't understand the utter love I feel for Elvis Costello. It transcends logic.

Willow said...

Well, that's the beauty of music (and art in general): There's something out there for everyone.

I once had a wonderful piece of advice on my poetry. I was sharing some of my poetry with one of my friends. I told her that I didn't want to share with her the stuff that I thought was "bad." She encouraged me to share anyway, saying, "You never know how your words will touch someone."

So although I don't understand your attachment to Elvis Costello in particular, I do have similar loves for (as you know) Peter Gabriel, John McKutcheon, Loreena McKennett, and of course Matt Watroba and Robert Jones. Oh, and Mary Chapin Carpenter, and there's a holiday CD called "Celtic Woman" that I can't seem to stop playing, even though it's far after the holidays. So if you ever see on the news an account of some woman in an Equinox being pulled over for blasting "O Holy Night" and singing at the top of her lungs along with it, you can probably guess it was me.

I'd better go...I have a raging case of insomnia which always seems to make me rattle on like crazy. :) I think it's time to go bug my friends on the poetry boards.

Susan said...

agatestone,

Your views aren't bothering me, I just want to understand them. Show me a performance of Elvis' where I'll see the showmanship. I saw him on Decades Rock live and as I said, he was ok.

As for an alias, I don't feel its necessary for this kind of writing. I own my opinions and publish them under my real name though I respect others choices to use aliases if they wish.

Agatestone said...

I know, it's just more fun to call you by an alias! I have Willow, the hip-hopibrarian, and me, Agatestone.