Elvis Costello
(Hip-O/Ume)
Live at the El Mocambo is either one of the easiest bootlegs to find or one of the hardest to track down releases from a major artist. Originally issued as a Canadian promotional album, it quickly found its way on to the black market and became a fan favorite. It got an official release in 1993 as part of the four-CD box set 2 ½ Years - or through a coupon that came with individual reissues of his first three albums. While fans were happy to have it, getting it required either dropping a bunch of cash or dealing with a major hassle. From the opening notes, it's clear why people went through so much b.s. for this album.
Watching him today, it's sometimes hard to remember that Elvis Costello was once an angry young punk. This is a much-needed reminder. Raw and passionate, this 1978 show features Costello at his most vital, running through brand new songs at breakneck speed while exhorting the crowd to get off its collective ass. Unfortunately, Universal hasn't treated this with the care it deserves. The packaging is minimal, as if this was still a radio promo rather than a significant piece of rock history. The CD comes with no background on the show, no essay on its meaning and no new photos. But that can't take away from the music or the hunger and energy you can practically feel coming through the speakers. The reissue could have been done a lot better, but it's still a must have.
Standout Tracks: All of them! HAL BIENSTOCK
