Elvis Costello - The Very Best Of (2CD, 2001)

The debate over whether he is punk or new wave is long over; today Elvis Costello is less likely to be found on a list with Strummer and Scabies than he is with Bacharach and David and Jimmy Webb. Lauded initially for his energetic and literate attacks on the social ills of Thatcher's England, he has become a peerless master of the popular song. The evolution of Costello's craft as a songwriter and performer, from the early high-octane polemics, through his stylistic experiments with country and soul, and on to standards written for others, is splendidly documented on this elegant two-disc set. Chronology is ignored in favor of a thoughtful program that catalogs the jewels from his prolific output and a sprinkling of covers that demonstrate the maturing of his singing voice. The 42 tracks here lean generously to the first 10 years with the Attractions, but also collects the best of his subsequent collaborations with the cream of America's session musicians and on through to "She," his contribution to the soundtrack of 1999's Notting Hill. –Rob Stewart



Tracks:

Disc: 1

1. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?
2. Oliver's Army
3. Watching the Detectives
4. Alison
5. (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea
6. Accidents Will Happen
7. Pump It Up
8. I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down
9. Radio, Radio
10. Clubland
11. Good Year for the Roses
12. Man Out of Time
13. I Wanna Be Loved
14. Everyday I Write the Book
15. Brilliant Mistake
16. Other Side of Summer
17. Tokyo Storm Warning
18. Sulky Girl
19. So Like Candy
20. Veronica
21. She

Disc: 2

1. Big Tears
2. Beyond Belief
3. Lipstick Vogue
4. Green Shirt
5. Pills & Soap
6. Tramp the Dirt Down
7. Shipbuilding
8. High Fidelity
9. New Lace Sleeves
10. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
11. Talking in the Dark
12. New Amsterdam
13. I Hope You're Happy Now
14. Riot Act
15. My Funny Valentine
16. Indoor Fireworks
17. Almost Blue
18. I Want You
19. God Give Me Strength
20. That Day Is Done - Elvis Costello, The Fairfield Four
21. I Want to Vanish - The Brodsky Quartet, Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve


Single Songs / Samples Download :
http://rapidshare.com/files/195917404/16-Indoor_Fireworks.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916853/18-I_Want_You.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916802/07-Shipbuilding.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916784/01-Big_Tears.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916765/14-Riot_Act.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916764/21-I_Want_To_Vanish.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916757/12-New_Amsterdam.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/19...s_Wanna_Wear_My__Red_Shoes.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916284/19-God_Give_Me_Strength.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916244/09-Radio_Radio.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916234/20-That_Day_Is_Done.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916168/17-Almost_Blue.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195916103/15-My_Funny_Valentine.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195915672/06-Tramp_The_Dirt_Down.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195915556/02-Beyond_Belief.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195914319/04-Green_Shirt.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195913725/05-Pills_And_Soap.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195913722/09-New_Lace_Sleeves.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195913712/03-Lipstick_Vogue.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195913704/13-I_Hope_You_27re_Happy_Now.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195913673/08-High_Fidelity.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/195913650/11-Talking_In_The_Dark.mp3