Elvis vhs in Rock & Pop Music

"Live: A Case for Song" (10/21/1997) Rock & Pop Costello, Elvis, Warner Reprise VideoPersonnel: Elvis Costello (vocals, guitar). The Attractions: Steve Nieve, Bruce Thomas, Pete Thomas. The Brodsky Quartet: Paul Cassidy, Ian Belton, Michael Thomas, Jaqueline Thomas. The White City Septet: Roy Babbington, Pete Whyman, Andy Findon, Paul Pritchard, Ruth Causey, John Barcley, Hugh Seenan. Only an artist like Elvis Costello could release a concert video in which he performs not just with one band, but with three separate ensembles -- and even tosses in a few solo acoustic numbers for good measure. A Case for Song finds Costello highlighting the various stylistic leaps of his tenure with Warner Brothers. The tape opens with an energetic set backed by the Attractions, then segues into a few solo numbers before he takes the stage with the Brodsky Quartet, the string quartet with whom he recorded 1993's The Juliet Letters. Later tunes incorporate the White City Septet and also mix the various combos together for full-blown orchestral versions of Costello's songs. As a document of a live event, the tape doesn't quite do its job: It's as hard to follow the stylistic leaps as a home viewer as it must have been for the live audience. But the depth and breadth of Costello's gifts as a songwriter and performer are fully represented, and the set list delivers enough emotion to make up for any lack of flow. It covers the same ground in 77 minutes that Costello's career has covered over the last decade. Highlights include a sweltering "Riot Act," with Costello pouring his heart into the tune while the Attractions roar behind him, and a clever rendition of the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" rewritten for the Brodskies. ~ Matthew Springer