Elvis Costello and the Attractions
18 September 1983
Universal Amphitheatre
Universal City, California
JEMS Master
Recording Gear: Sony WM-D6 with ECM-939 stereo mic
JEMS 2023 Transfer: Master cassettes > Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1 azimuth-adjusted playback > Sound Devices USBPre2 > Audacity 3.3.3 (24/96 capture to .wav) > iZotope RX7 and Ozone 6 mastering > iZotope MBIT+ resample to 16/44 > FLAC > finishing with TLH
Musicians:
Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar
Steve Nieve - keyboards
Bruce Thomas - bass
Pete Thomas - drums
With The TKO Horns
Dave Plews - trumpet
Paul Speare - tenor saxophone
Jeff Blythe - alto saxophone
Jim Paterson - trombone
and Afrodiziak
Claudia Fontaine - backing vocals
Caron Wheeler - backing vocals
01. Intro
02. Let Them All Talk
03. Possession
04. Watching the Detectives
05. Secondary Modern
06. (Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame
07. The Greatest Thing
08. Man Out of Time
09. Kid About It
10. Mystery Dance
11. Shabby Doll
12. Heathen Town
13. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
14. The Bells
15. (What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding?
16. New Lace Sleeves
17. Shipbuilding
18. Big Sister’s Clothes
19. Stand Down Margaret
20. Beyond Belief (w/ “Friday On My Mind”)
21. Clubland
22. Watch Your Step
23. Alison (w/ “Living A Little, Laughing A Little”)
24. Backstabbers -> King Horse
25. Clowntime Is Over
26. The Great Unknown
27. Charm School
28. TKO (Boxing Day)
29. Everyday I Write the Book
30. Moods For Moderns Riff - > I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down
31. Pump It Up (w/ “Ain't That A Lot Of Love” and “Working In The Coal Mine”)
Known faults
“The Bells” introduction is incomplete (tape flip)
“Clowntime Is Over” is incomplete (tape flip)
What do we like about this JEMS Master Recording of Elvis Costello and the Attractions at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles? Pretty much everything, from the taut, horn-infused arrangements of songs like “Watching the Detectives” and “Man Out of Time” to Costello’s reaching and impassioned vocals. He sounds impossibly good as he leads his band through the 31 song set.
This 40th anniversary file set features a fresh 2023 transfer and careful remastering of Jared Houser’s top-flight stereo capture. Compared to my 1st gen. tapes made just days after the 1983 performance, a 2011 transfer sounded a bit off; now, playback returns to the sweetest of sweet spots, with higher frequencies restored, allowing an excellent Clocking In concert to sound anew. Whether you’re a fan of the Punch the Clock era or want to try something new, this recording is a delight — Universal appeal, to be sure!
The smartly-arranged stage show encompassed new numbers, rarities, and covers. Divided into mini-suites, it flowed neatly from one song to the next. “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame” sets up “The Greatest Thing,” two tracks from Imperial Bedroom play nicely together, and the left/right combination of “Beyond Belief” and “Clubland” earns points on every scorecard. With “Every Day I Write the Book” making its way on the charts (here, at #45 with a bullet!) and in rotation on MTV, it seemed like Costello was closing in on new success. Samples provided.
Thanks to BK and Professor Goody for getting the files to sound their best and play at the right speed. To area51gm, a salute for running an advent calendar that ensures Elvis Costello recordings reach fans day in and day out. And props as always to the Elvis Costello Wiki, the kind of resource an artist or fan could hope for.
Lastly, here’s to Jared, whose taping skills and generosity knew few limits. This recording was an early addition to my growing ROIO collection, joining others of Bruce Springsteen and The Who, many of which Jared simply gave me. There’s something to pay forward.
His voice is on the tape, along with that of our great friend A. Morg (they took in four shows altogether in ’83). Asides, remarks, and "Doc" mannerisms bring a smile to my face. Days later, I caught up with them before the show in Berkeley on September 23, continuing the adventure that had begun the year before when The Who played in Oakland. Great times, great friends (Stan!), great music, great tapes. Who could ask for more?
We’ll post more from ’83 — a re-seed of Berkeley via Persic (props, Sir!), plus Jared’s master of San Francisco. A new transfer of night two in Los Angeles (19 September) sounds amazing, too, and corrects the same 2011 issues; watch for that one in the not-too-distant future.
Share it freely, and for free!
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