Elvis Costello rarities?

[Aquateen]

Hey anyone know where I can get some out takes and demos and such from Elvis Costello? I know the recent reissues have some but I have those albums already. Is there an EC boxset out?

[KLM]

Aquateen,
While there are some greatest hits packages and even an elvis boxset, I'm afraid there aren't a lot of demos and unreleased material on them. One cd of other unreleased stuff is on an import cd called "Out of Our Idiot" which is also very good. Here's a link:

http://www.towerrecords.com/product.asp?pfid=1182254

The only other collection of note is a 5 cd EP set of Costello and Nieve performing live with acoustic versions of Costello songs. It's a great set but hard to find.

If you have the original cds, I would still get the new remasters as I think the sound quality is better and the bonus material is extensive.

Hope this helps.

[MagicAlex]

My favorite set of Elvis demos & outtake are found on 'The McCartney/MacManus Collaboration' released by Vigotone. Not only do you get some good Elvis stuff but Macca stuff as well!

There's an excellent acoustic version of 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' by Elvis and another excellent acoustic duo on 'So Like Candy'. The latter track is reminescent of early Beatles Paul & John....

Not to be missed if you can find it.

[Jimbo]

I have a Costello boot CD on the Tendolar label, titled Time To Play B-Sides. It collects up 25 tracks, mostly b-sides to singles released from his Warner Bros. albums. Includes his countrified take on Springsteen's "Brilliant Disguise." I assume most of these songs will eventually appear as bonus tracks on Rhino's reissues.

Interesting aside: "Time to play b-sides" is a line from Blue Oyster Cult's "Burning for You."