Elvis Costello: Mystery Dance
Profile of singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, from a Catholic upbringing to success with The Attractions, multiple reinventions and collaborations with the likes of Paul McCartney.
Elvis Costello is one of the uncontested geniuses of the rock world. 33 albums and dozens of hit songs have established him as one of the most versatile and intelligent songwriters and performers of his generation. This film provides a definitive account of one of Britain's greatest living songwriters - the first portrait of its kind - directed by Mark Kidel, who was won numerous awards for his music documentaries, including portraits of Rod Stewart, Boy George, Tricky, Alfred Brendel, Ravi Shankar, John Adams and Robert Wyatt.
Elvis is a master of melody, but what distinguishes him above all is an almost uncanny way with words, from the playful use of the well-worn cliche to daring poetic associations, whether he is writing about the sorrow of love or the burning fire of desire, the power play of the bedroom or the world of politics.
The film tells the story of Elvis Costello - a childhood under the influence of his father Ross McManus, the singer with Joe Loss's popular dance band; a Catholic education which has clearly marked him deeply; his overnight success with The Attractions and subsequent disenchantment with the formatted pressures of the music business; a disillusionment which led him to reinvent himself a number of times; and writing and recording songs in various styles, including country, jazz, soul and classical.
The film focuses in particular on his collaborations with Paul McCartney and Allen Toussaint, who both contribute. It also features exclusive access to unreleased demos of songs written by McCartney and Costello. Elvis was interviewed in Liverpool, London and New York, revisiting the places in which he grew up. The main interview, shot over two days at the famed Avatar Studios in NYC, is characterised by unusual intimacy. Elvis talks for the first time at great length about his career, songwriting and music, and often breaks into song with relevant examples from his repertoire.
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Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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Steve Nieve
Alison
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Pump It Up
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Oliver聮's Army
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Elvis Costello & Brodsky Quartet
Pills and Soap
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Elvis Costello & The Sugarcanes
The Delivery Man
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Elvis Costello & John Harle
When That I Was And A Little Tiny Boy
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Joe Loss & His Orchestra
You're The Cream In My Coffee
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Ross MacManus & Joe Loss & His Orchestra
If I Had A Hammer
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Joni Mitchell, Russ Kunkel, Sneaky Pete Kleinow & James Taylor
California
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Elvis Costello
Poison Moon
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Elvis Costello & Clover
Less Than Zero
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Elvis Costello
Alison
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
This Year's Girl
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Radio Radio
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Pump It Up
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Lipstick Vogue
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
High Fidelity
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Why Don't You Love Me
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Sweet Dreams
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Elvis Costello & Robert Wyatt
Shipbuilding
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Elvis Costello
Brilliant Mistake (feat. The Attractions & The Confederates)
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Elvis Costello
Poisoned Rose (feat. The Attractions & The Confederates)
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Elvis Costello & Brodsky Quartet
The Birds Will Be Singing
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Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve, Davey Faragher, Pete Thomas, Brian "Breeze" Cayolle, Amadee Castenell, Joe Smith, Sam Williams & Allen Toussaint
The River In Reverse
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Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve, Davey Faragher, Pete Thomas, Joe Smith, Sam Williams & Allen Toussaint
Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further
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Elvis Costello
Still
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Elton John, Elvis Costello & Diana Krall
Makin' Whoopee
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Elvis Costello
Quiet About It
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Elvis Costello
Mystery Dance
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Elvis Costello & The Sugarcanes
Cinco Minutos Con Vos
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00:26Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
Credit
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Director | Mark Kidel |
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