(MusicPortal.com) (06/17/05)

Edited By Michael Bennett

LONDON, UK - DemonVision has announced that for the very first time on DVD, a unique collection of the visual works of ELVIS COSTELLO, "The Right Spectacle: The Very Best Of Elvis Costello - The Videos," will be released on September 5th.

From his first Radar Records single in 1978, 'I Don't Want To Go To (Chelsea),' to his final video for Warner Bros. Records, '13 Steps Lead Down' (from 1994's "Brutal Youth" album), "The Right Spectacle" is a must-have for all serious Elvis Costello enthusiasts and fans alike.

Widely regarded as one of today's most respected singer/songwriters in Rock and Pop, Costello was instrumental in pioneering the promotional music video in its early days - most of which became regular viewing on MTV and other noted music television channels.

"The Right Spectacle" boasts a grand total of 27 videos that includes material rarely seen since the original release of the singles they supported, while the DVD can be alternatively watched with audio commentary that Elvis Costello has recorded especially for each video.

Costello's witty and lively explanations provide insights into where, why and how the videos were created.

Bonus features include over 70 extra minutes of early and ultra-rare television archive footage, culled from an array of TV channels from the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK.

The footage includes Elvis Costello along with The Attractions performing 'Alison,' 'Lip Service' and 'No Dancing' on the British TV show "Granada Reports" from 1977, 'Oliver's Army' on Dutch TV show "Countdown" from 1978, "Shipbuilding" on The Tube from 1983, and more.

"The Right Spectacle" is also presented in a collectible digipack, with comprehensive production notes written by Elvis Costello himself, as well as a surprise Easter Egg strategically hidden away on the DVD for the most ardent of Costello enthusiasts to find.

When Elvis Costello's first album was released in 1977, his bristling cynicism and anger linked him with the Punk and New Wave explosion.

A cursory listen to "My Aim Is True" proves that the main connection that Costello had with the punks was his unbridled passion.

He tore through Rock's back pages taking whatever he wanted, as well as borrowing from Country, Tin Pan Alley Pop, Reggae, and many other musical genres.

Over his career, that musical eclecticism has distinguished Costello's records as much as his fiercely literate lyrics.

Because his lyrics have always been with his richly diverse music, Elvis Costello has turned into one of the most innovative and influential songwriters since Bob Dylan.

The son of British bandleader Ross McManus, Costello (born Declan McManus) worked as a computer programmer during the early '70s, performing under the name D.P. Costello in various Folk clubs.

In 1976, he became the leader of Country/Rock group Flip City.

He recorded demo tapes of his original material with the intention of landing a record contract. A copy of these tapes made its way to Jake Riviera, one of the heads of the fledgling independent label Stiff Records.

Riviera signed Costello to Stiff as a solo artist in 1977 -- the singer/songwriter adopting the name "Elvis Costello" at that time -- taking his first name from Elvis Presley, and his last name from his mother's maiden name.

With former Brinsley Schwarz bassist Nick Lowe producing, Costello began recording his debut album with American band Clover providing support.

'Less Than Zero,' the first single released from those sessions, appeared in April 1977.

That single failed to chart, as did its follow-up, 'Alison,' which was released the following month.

By the Summer of 1977, Costello's backing band had been assembled.

Featuring bassist Bruce Thomas, keyboardist Steve Nieve and drummer Pete Thomas, the trio was named The Attractions, and they made their live debut in July of 1977.

Elvis Costello's debut album, "My Aim Is True," was released in the Summer of 1977 to positive reviews.

The album climbed to number 14 on the British charts but it wasn't released on his U.S. label, Columbia Records, until later in the year.

Along with Nick Lowe, Ian Dury, and Wreckless Eric, Costello participated in the "Stiffs Live" package tour in the Fall.

Later that same year, Jake Riviera split from Stiff Records to form Radar Records, taking Costello and Lowe with him.

Elvis Costello's last single for Stiff Records, the Reggae-inflected 'Watching the Detectives,' became his first hit - climbing to number 15.

"This Year's Model," Costello's first album recorded with The Attractions, was released in the Spring of 1978.

A rawer, harder-rocking record than "My Aim Is True," "This Year's Model" was an even bigger hit, reaching number 4 in Britain and number 30 In America.

Released the following year, "Armed Forces" was a more ambitious and musically diverse album than either of his previous records.

It was another hit, reaching No. 2 in the UK and cracking the Top Ten in the U.S. 'Oliver's Army,' the first single from the album, also peaked at number 2 in Britain.

In the Summer of 1979, Elvis Costello produced the self-titled debut album by pioneers of the modern Ska movement, The Specials.

In February 1980, the soul-influenced "Get Happy!!" was released; it was the first record on Riviera's new record label, F-Beat.

"Get Happy!!" was another hit, peaking at number 2 in Britain and number 11 in America. Later that year, two collections of B-sides, singles, and outtakes called "Taking Liberties" was released in America.

In Britain, a similar album called "Ten Bloody Marys" and "Ten How's Your Fathers" appeared as a cassette-only release, featuring different tracks than the U.S. version.

Elvis Costello And The Attractions released "Trust" in early 1981; it was his fifth consecutive album produced by Nick Lowe.

Trust debuted at number 9 in the UK charts, and worked its way into the Top 30 in the U.S.

During the spring of 1981, the group began recording an album of Country covers with famed Nashville producer Billy Sherrill, who recorded records for George Jones and Charlie Rich.

"Almost Blue" was released that year, with the single 'A Good Year For The Roses' becoming a UK Top Ten hit.

Elvis Costello's next album, "Imperial Bedroom" (1982), was an ambitious set of lush Pop arrangements co-produced by Geoff Emerick, who engineered several of The Beatles' albums.

"Imperial Bedroom" received some of his best reviews, and debuted at number six in the UK.

For 1983's "Punch The Clock," Costello worked with Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. The collaboration proved a success, as the album peaked at No. 3 in the UK.

The single 'Everyday I Write The Book' cracked the Top 40 in both Britain and America, Costello following the success of "Punch The Clock" with 1984's "Goodbye Cruel World."

Elvis Costello embarked on his first solo tour in the Summer of 1984.

In 1985, he released the single 'The People's Limousine' with singer/songwriter T-Bone Burnett, which was released under the artist name The Coward Brothers.

Costello also took time to produce "Rum, Sodomy And The Lash," the second album by the Punk/Folk band The Pogues.

Moving toward a more stripped-down, folky approach with 1986's "King Of America," that album was recorded without The Attractions and released under the artist name The Costello Show.

"King Of America" was a Country/Folk album that earned Elvis Costello his best reviews since 1982's "Imperial Bedroom."

The album "Blood And Chocolate" followed, a reunion of sorts with both The Attractions and producer Nick Lowe. Costello would not record another album with The Attractions again until 1994.

During 1987, Costello signed to Warner Bros. Records and collaborated with Paul McCartney.

Two years later he released "Spike," which featured the first appearance of songs written by Costello and McCartney, including the single 'Veronica' which became his biggest U.S. hit - peaking at No. 19.

Two years later, Elvis Costello released "Mighty Like A Rose," which echoed "Spike" in its diversity, yet it was a darker, more challenging record.

In 1993, Costello collaborated with The Brodsky Quartet on "The Juliet Letters," a song cycle that was the artist's first attempt at Classical music.

Costello reunited with The Attractions to record the majority of 1994's "Brutal Youth," the most straightforward and pop-oriented album he had recorded since "Goodbye Cruel World."

The Attractions backed Costello on a worldwide tour in 1994 and played concerts with him throughout 1995.

That year, he released his long-shelved collection of covers, "Kojak Variety," while in the Spring of 1996, Costello released "All This Useless Beauty," which featured a number of songs he had given to other artists, but never recorded himself.

"Painted From Memory," a collaboration with the legendary Burt Bacharach, followed in 1998.

Costello and Bacharach hit the road and and performed in both the United States and Europe. After Bacharach's departure, Costello added The Attractions' Steve Nieve in his place , the two traveling around the world on what they dubbed the "Lonely World Tour."

By 1999, Costello contributed music to the films "Notting Hill" and "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me."

Continuing his tour with Nieve, he began singing the last song with a microphone, forcing the audience to sit in complete silence as he usually performed 'Couldn't Call It Unexpected #4' with nothing but his dulcet baritone filling the auditorium.

Elvis Costello then moved to Universal Records, releasing a second "Greatest Hits" album.

Next, he released a collection of Pop standards performed with Ann Sofie Von Otter, which included a few songs originally written by Costello.

The album came out in March 2001 on the German Grammophone label, which coincided with the extensive re-release of his entire cataloge up to 1996 under both Demon and Rhino Records.

Each disc included an extra CD of rare material and liner notes written by Costello, making them attractive to fans.

In 2001, Elvis Costello started a residency at UCLA, where he performed several concerts and taught music.

He began work on a self-produced album, which featured both Steve Nieve and Pete Thomas, now billed as a band called The Imposters, entitled "When I Was Cruel."

The album was released by Island Records in the Spring of 2002. At the end of that year, he released a collection of B-sides and leftovers from the album's sessions entitled "Cruel Smile."

"When I Was Cruel" kicked off another productive era for the ever-prolific Elvis Costello.

In 2003, he returned with "North," a collection of classically-styled Pop songs pitched halfway between George Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim.

The next year, he collaborated with new wife Diana Krall on her first collection of original material, "The Girl In The Other Room."

That Fall, Costello released two albums of original material - a classical work entitled "Il Sogno," and the album "The Delivery Man," a Rock 'N' Roll album cut with The Imposters.

"The Right Spectacle" DVD Track Listing:

01. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
02. Pump It Up
03. Radio Radio
04. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding
05. Oliver's Army
06. Accidents Will Happen
07. I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
08. High Fidelity
09. Love For Tender
10. Possession
11. New Amsterdam
12. Clubland
13. New Lace Sleeves
14. Good Year For The Roses
15. Sweet Dreams
16. You Little Fool
17. Everyday I Write The Book
18. Let Them All Talk
19. The Only Flame In Town
20. I Wanna Be Loved
21. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
22. Veronica
23. This Town
24. The Other Side Of Summer
25. So Like Candy
26. Sulky Girl
27. 13 Steps Lead Down

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