"...I'm Not Going To Get Too Sentimental..."
Elvis Costello's debut (like much of his catalogue for the Seventies and
Eighties) has been reissued to a point where fans will yawn and newcomers turn
their eyes and ears elsewhere.
For this review I'm concentrating on the American 'Originals' CD Series
put out by Universal's Hip-O Records in May 2007 (aka Hip-O Select) where
eleven albums were Remastered to CD and presented in Artwork-Repro Digipaks
with new booklets (most sans any bonus material – just the LP). The series
started with the 1977 debut "My Aim Is True" and ran through to
1986's "Blood And Chocolate" (see list below). Here are the sneaky
details and the original sins...
US released 1 May 2007 - "My Aim Is True: Originals Series" by ELVIS COSTELLO on
Hip-O Records/Universal Music Company (UMC) B0008635-02 (Barcode 602517260863)
is a 13-Track CD Remaster of the 1977 American LP on Columbia Records. The UK
LP on Stiff Records had only 12-tracks ("Watching The Detectives" was
originally only a 7" single in the UK) but was added to the end of Side 1
of the US LP (hence the 13-tracks). This CD Remaster plays out as follows
(36:48 minutes):
1. Welcome To My Working Work
2. Miracle Man
3. No Dancing
4. Blame It On Cain
5. Alison
6. Sneaky Feelings
7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes [Side 2]
8. Less Than Zero
9. Mystery Dance
10. Pay It Back
11. I'm Not Angry
12. Waiting For The End Of The World
13. Watching The Detectives
Tracks 1 to 12 are the UK debut LP "My Aim Is True" - released
July 1977 in the UK on Stiff Records SEEZ 3. "Watching The
Detectives" was issued October 1977 in the UK as a 7" single only
(A-side) but was added on as an extra track (end of Side 1 after "Sneaky
Feelings") on the March 1978 US reissue LP on Columbia Records JC 35037.
Produced by NICK LOWE.
The Band for Tracks 1 to 12 were:
ELVIS COSTELLO - Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitars, Piano and Drumsticks
on "Mystery Dance"
JOHN McFEE - Guitar and Pedal Steel
SEAN HOPPER - Piano, Organ, Backing Vocals
JOHNNY CIAMBOTTI - Bass and Backing Vocals
MICKEY SHINE - Drums
NICK LOWE - Backing Vocals, Bass, Drums and Drumsticks on "Mystery
Dance"
Band for "Watching The Detectives" was:
ELVIS COSTELLO - Vocals and Guitar
STEVE NIEVE - Organ and Piano Overdubs
ANDREW BODNAR - Bass
STEVE GOULDING - Drums
The 'Originals' card digipak is hardly anything to write home about and
its glued-on Obi even obscures the track list on the rear cover (and the inner
gatefold is simply all yellow - a bad waste of space). The 12-page booklet has
all the lyrics - original album recording credits and reissue details - it's
good but without any history of the album and its making it's hardly great. The
Remaster was carried out by Rhino's longtime Audio Engineer DAN HERSCH and is a
mixed bag of brill and brash.
Production wise "My Aim Is True" the LP has always felt a bit
'all over the place'. The Remaster reflects the source material. Some tracks
have stunning clarity while others just feel wrong and I'd have to say that
this Remaster has only highlighted 'both'. From the moment "Working
Week" hits the speakers - you can hear the taught band but the
deliberately distanced vocals take away from the impact. Some tracks though are
absolutely stunning - the sheer drum wallop coming from "Waiting For The
End Of The World" is amazing and yet that guitar feels even more
disconnected. Even though it's brash "Blame It On The Cain" feels
incredible - that fantastic staccato beat as Elvis sings about Government
burglars taking away his dosh.
Three in a row with great sound are the beautiful ballad
"Alison" with the LP's title amidst its lyrics - the catchy
"Sneaky Feelings" (can't let them show) and the lyrically acidic
"(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" where EC used to be disgusted
but now he's just amused. "Less Than Zero" is absolutely huge on this
remaster - amazing clarity (as is "Watching The Detectives") - and I
hear South America is coming into style. There is a 2007 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' with
shed loads more on offer and flashier presentation (outtakes, B-sides, live
material) - but I like the simplicity of just the album.
I'm constantly amazed at how good Costello's first foray was and still
is - a stunning debut album that announced the arrival of a major songwriting
talent (coming up on its 40th Anniversary in November 2017).
I will get sentimental about "My Aim Is True" – warts and all
- I f***ing love it...
May 2007 ELVIS COSTELLO 'Originals' CD Series of Reissues:
1. My Aim Is True (1977) - Hip-O Records B0008635-02 (Barcode
602517260863)
2. This Year’s Model (1978) – Hip-O Records B0008638-02 (Barcode
602517260894)
3. Armed Forces (1978) – Hip-O Records B0008630-02 (Barcode
602517260818)
4. Get Happy!! (1980) - Hip-O Records B0008632-02 (Barcode 602517260832)
5. Almost Blue (1981) - Hip-O Records B0008628-02 (Barcode 602517260573)
6. Trust (1981) - Hip-O Records B0008639-02 (Barcode 602517260900)
7. Imperial Bedroom (1982) – Hip-O Records B0008634-02 (Barcode
602517260856)
8. Punch The Clock (1983) – Hip-O Records B0008636-02 (Barcode ?)
9. Goodbye Cruel World (1984) – Hip-O Records B0008633-02 (Barcode
602517260849)
10. King Of America (1986) – Hip-O Records B0008637-02 (Barcode
602517260887)
11. Blood and Chocolate (1986) – Hip-O Records B0008631-02 (Barcode
602517260825)
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