And also, keep in mind that Daddy MacManus was a professional singer who, it is said, was quite good for his time. I have never heard his father, but I often wonder how similar they are and if young Declan got a lot of tips just from hearing and watching his Dad.
You mentioned how Elvis will now in concert stand alone on the stage and sing without amplification or accompaniament. I saw him do this a few years ago and again, he killed me. It was as powerful as watching Pavarotti singing an aria. Incredible control!!!!
We'll have to see what happens to Elvis in coming years. He is about 52 now, a point in time where the vibrato starts getting wider and harder to control and the range starts to shrink. Statistically speaking, he may not have many years left to produce new vocal masterpieces. But, knowing him, his writing will change with it and he will still continue to be the only one capable of singing his songs.
Article comments
1 - Gretchen
Bloody hell, it's about time someone started giving EC his due. I've been smitten since 1993; saw him perform on the Brutal Youth tour the night before my Contracts final, decided he was Probably God, and haven't changed my opinion since. He's incredibly fucking brilliant. I didn't know that about his range, not being a singer, but I have always adored the vocal style I once characterized as "perverse crooner".
2 - Zula
A full album of Elvis tunes was recorded in 2003 by Toronto jazz singer Bonnie Brett. You can hear bits of it here:
I believe it can also be purchased through 3 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
I think early on, Elvis displayed some range and vocal power with the live version of "Alison" (at Hollywood High: the single that cam with "Armed Forces."
I love the term "perverse crooner" and I would add to that two absolutlely gorgeous songs from "North": "Still" and "I'm in the Mood Again." And I always thought it was a shame that Sinatra didn't record "Always Blue" as intended.
As you can see, I am I huge fan, highly regarding Elvis' impecable melodic and lyrical intution and execution. New Album out in a few months!
4 - gypsyman
It's funny I've never really given his vocal abilities much thought. I've always been a big fan of his music, dating back to those early "whose this guy who looks like Buddy Holly days".
But thinking about it, and harkening back to even his older tunes, the things he's done with his voice is truely astounding. In spite of the rough edges he's able to launch upwards without nary a crack appearing anywhere along the line.
Thanks Al for giving me another reason for appreciating a fine singer and songwriter.
gypsyman
5 - Lisa McKay
Nice to feel the Elvis love, I must say.
Around the time that North was released, Elvis said in an interview that he's spent a lot of time in recent years working on his vocal delivery. I think he has one of the best voices going, made more special precisely because it's rather idiosyncratic. Unlike you, Al, I'm not in a really big hurry to hear other singers interpret the Costello catalogue.
6 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
I also like the "expect the unexpected" perverseness: right after "King of America," Elvis announced in an interview that from now on he would be focusing his efforts--like "King"-- on well-crafted songwriting with linear, detailed, story-like lyrics, more polished recording, etc.
OKAY FINE.
But what is his next release?: The gloriously raw, sloppy, rough-around-the-edges and one one my faves from him "Blood and Chocolate." If the stream-of-unconsciousness of "Tokyo Storm Warning" isn't the antithesis of anything on "King of America," I don't know what is.
Gotta love it.
7 - Nom De Plume
Although I don't believe that a whole album's worth of EC covers by either would be appropriate, to hear two examples of Costello covers by truly fantastic vocalists, whose versions, I think, even outshine the originals, seek out Robert Wyatt's cover of "Shipbuilding" and June Tabor's cover of "All This Useless Beauty".
Costello himself has the highest regard for each -- "Shipbuilding" was given to Wyatt to record before Costello's version came out (The Attractions even provide musical backing), and he once said of June Tabor, “If you don’t like listening to June Tabor, you should stop listening to music”.
8 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
One EC song that I think was improved upon was Dave Edmund's version of "Girl's Talk."
9 - hymns
Just a mention on kd lang, her octave range range is 4 1/2.
And, yeah, just imagine what she could do!
10 - Jeff Allen
Just one comment (though some might not agree): I am a huge Elvis Costello fan, but I happen to think his vocals have gotten awfully too mannered and overdone lately. The Delivery Man has some great songs, and musicianship, but in my opinion, he is over-singing (and over-sneering)in many of the tracks. Listen to it, and then go back to one of his early albums: less developed vocal technique, sure, but more effective communication of genuine emotion I would argue. In many ways, my favorite album is Trust: he's experimenting with styles more, and we're beginning to see his range, but that early straight-on sincerity (or despair?) is still there. Again, don't get me wrong: he's an amazing artist--and always has been a spectacular live performer--but I just think he sometimes tries a bit too hard to be--fill in the blank (Sinatra,Bachrach,Hank-Lucinda Williams, or Mr. Diana Krall)--instead of the amazing natural talent he is.
11 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Jeff--I won't take issue with you except to mention his signing on another recent work, "North"--a beautiful voice, natural, no over-singing (listen especially to "Still" or "I'm in the Mood Again"). If there's a fault with "Delivery Man" I'd chalk it off to an isolated case and some disappointing production.
12 - Al Barger
Jeff, you raise an interesting point with the argument about Elvis becoming too mannered. Some of that is subjective perception, and I see you point, but I don't think so.
Now, there's some amount of mannerism on, most obviously, The Juliet Letters- but the (excellent) material calls for that. Other times- and I include The Delivery Man- he's getting in touch with his Hank muse.
Thing is, Elvis is a very self-conscious artist with a very strong grasp of his own strengths and weaknesses. I compare him to Paul Simon in that manner. Like Simon, he knows how to cast his line out into experimental waters- and when to reel it back in with stuff closer to home emotionally and stylistically.
As to The Delivery Man, I'll specifically pick "Either Side of the Same Town" as one of his finest vocal performances. That's beautiful, and pretty direct in the impact. It's not some mannered hothouse thing.
13 - JP
Just to clarify, for a casual fan, Delivery Man will be a much better choice. North requires multiple listens.