Live

Rip It Up, Issue 96, 1 July 1985, Page 32

Live

Elvis Costello His Majesty's Theatre, June 27 Something old; this was one for the faithful, for the mature (polite terms for the predominance of over 30s) Costello fans who believed that the song was mightier than the band, meaning the Attractions were not missed as Costello wise-cracked his way through an acoustic greatest hits. Alison’, ‘Shipbuilding’, 'Girls' Talk', ‘New Amsterdam', 'Red Shoes; 'Oliver's Army’, a haunting ‘Accidents Will Happen' and the back door aisle intro ‘Pump It Up’ provided the thread through a night of variety. Something new; teaming up with T-Bone Burnett provided Costello with the chance to hang loose, enjoy himself without the weight of band responsibilities. Burnett, who opened the night, was a mild revelation of limbs and self-effacing gawkiness a nice guy with just enough bite to be taken seriously. He later joined Costello to form the Coward

Brothers for Tennessee Blue' and 'Tom Dooley’. Something borrowed; like robes, man. Costello, avec beard and black duds and shades, was like a bohemian Peter Sellers as he did a straight, shivering version of the Who’s 'Substitute; was helped by Burnett and the audience on ‘Twist and Shout' and drew some uninformed laughs from those who didn't recognise Jerry Dammers' What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend: This was the fun. Something blue; he did 'Almost Blue' from behind the electric piano and his new songs are shrouded in sadness. ‘Fireworks’ and 'Next Time Around; working titles only, had the customary Costello acid but he presented a brace of songs that leaned on heartwrenching folk sentiments, a direction perhaps prompted by his recent work with the Pogues. This was the business. And this was how he ended the night. George Kay Hip In A Cathedral Six Month Club, June 20. Get down? Hoe-down! Hip In A Cathedral (a name adopted for one night only) break into their set with three grinning R&B/C&W numbers, a flurry of pocket insta-

matics and a helping of big-town hospitality. One Meemee and Three Sons In Jeopardy later, the atmosphere could hardly be more approving; who other than Tony Drumm could spend six minutes minutes putting on his guitar, talking about it as if it was interesting, and then not even play it? Now that's audience enthusuasm; winning favour was not an uphill task. Ah, but such a deserving band. Adam Holt held things together with a riff responsibility that allowed him real fun only towards the end; cheerful restraint in a good guitarist is a rare thing. The rhythm section was necessarily simple but began with a bounce they couldn't maintain, listing into pub-rock territory by the end of the set. Other group skills included eating biscuits while singing and the ability to play in the dark (well done, that boy on lights!). But the crux of a guitar band is the guitar and with Adam coming through so well things were just fine. Predictions include a dry country EP for a dry summer, Plymouths in the video and songs about farmer-girls. In the meantime, everyone sat back and enjoyed a perky, portable band in luxurious surroundings. Hip In A

Cathedral? Big on the ranch, more like. Chad Taylor