What is believed to be one of the last recording sessions that Burt Bacharach took part in, if not the last, was quietly released this weekend, following the songwriter’s death. “You Can Have Her,” a previously unreleased composition by Bacharach and Elvis Costello that was recorded by the latter singer with a full orchestra at Capitol Studios in 2021, went out to digital service providers on Friday.
The song’s arrival went virtually unnoticed, as the record company opted to postpone any press releases about the long-scheduled song in deference to those mourning Bacharach’s death. The legendary composer died Feb. 8, and his passing was announced the following day, only about 12 hours before “You Can Have Her” had its soft launch. (Variety reports)
Previously Elvis Costello & The Imposters have dropped the release of The Boy Named If (Alive at Memphis Magnetic), a companion to January’s widely-acclaimed – and now Grammy nominated – album The Boy Named If.
The album The Boy Named If (Alive At Memphis Magnetic) was released digitally on November 25, 2022. It includes 10 tracks recorded by Elvis Costello, The Imposters, and guitarist Charlie Sexton at Memphis Magnetic Recording in October 2021 and May 2022, plus a remix of Magnificent Hurt.
We have two recording sessions, one from last October, when The Imposters first played the songs from The Boy Named If live together, and another session in May. We started playing some other songs by other people. There's a track in Japanese on it! I heard this terrific duo called Kimiko and we invited them to rework 'Magnificent Hurt'."
A digital-only collection set for Nov. 25, "The Boy Named If (Alive at Memphis Magnetic)" gathers 11 tracks, all but one of which were recorded live-in-studio by Elvis Costello and his longtime band, the Imposters, at Scott McEwen's Memphis Magnetic Recording Co. on Vance Avenue.
The recordings — which include Costello originals as well as covers of songs by the Beatles ("Here, There and Everywhere"), the Rolling Stones ("Out of Time"), the Byrds ("So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star"), Nick Lowe ("Truth Drug") and Paul McCartney ("Let Me Roll It," from the "Band on the Run" album) — were made in October 2021 and May 2022, when Costello and the Imposters were rehearsing at Memphis Magnetic for tours in support of Costello's album, "The Boy Named If," which was released in January.
Elvis Costello has announced a forthcoming destination concert event dubbed Elvis in Iceland. The four-day occurrence is slated to take place from May 25 through 29 in the Nordic island’s capital city, Reykjavík.
The multi-day event includes accompaniment by fellow Costello collaborator and member of The Attractions and Imposters, pianist Steve Nieve. Moreover, an old friend of the artist and a recent tour member, Nick Lowe, will also add some pop power and new-wave flavor when he takes the stage with the “Alison” singer. (relix)
Of note, attendees of the forthcoming international stand will be invited to a once-in-a-lifetime private concert experience for a group of 100 couples and individuals participating in the event, as well as an exclusive question-and-answer segment with the performers.
For those interested in attending the springtime event, ticket registration is open and can be accessed here.
Listen to The Boy Named If here,
