Elvis Costello - Spike

Throughout his career Elvis Costello has always been prolific; thus it was surprising, even given the change in record labels for the US, when he took a whole 20 months between Blood & Chocolate and this follow-up. But the musical growth he exhibits makes the wait worthwhile. The musical settings range from the stark folk of "Tramp the Dirt Down" to the pop sprightliness of "Veronica" (a collaboration with Paul McCartney that became Costello's first American Top 20 hit) and the New Orleans jazz sound of "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror," featuring the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The lyrics are among his best. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Name Credits Allen Toussaint Piano (Grand), Piano Benmont Tench Piano, Spinet, Clavinet, Vox Continental Bob Ludwig Mastering Brian Griffin Photography, Photography Buell Neidlinger Double Bass Buell Niedlinger Cello, Double Bass Cait O'Riordan Maracas, Bells Charles Joseph Trombone Chrissie Hynde Vocal Harmony Christy Moore Bodhran David Farrell Assistant Engineer Davy Spillane Whistle (Instrument), Pipe, Uillean Pipes, Low Whistle Declan MacManus Piano, Melodica, Vocals, Organ, Tambourine, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar Derek Bell ?, Harp, Tiompan, Irish Harp Dónal Lunny Bodhran, Guitar (Acoustic), Bouzouki, Electric Bouzouki Efrem Towns Trumpet Elvis Costello Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Bells, Bass, Bass (Electric), Producer, Bass (Acoustic), Mandolin, Organ, Piano, Organ (Hammond), Guitar (Electric), Design Frankie Gavin Fiddle Gregory Davis Trumpet Jenell Marshall Drums (Snare) Jeri Heiden Design Jerry Marotta Drums (Snare), Drums Jerry Scheff Bass (Electric), Bass, Fuzz Bass, Double Bass Jim Keltner Tom-Tom, Chinese Cymbals, Cymbals, Drums, Drums (Snare) John Donnelly Drum Programming John Grimes Assistant Engineer John Heiden Logo Design, Logo Kathe Duba-Noland Editorial Coordinator Kevin Harris Sax (Tenor) Kevin Killen Producer, Mixing, Engineer Kirk Joseph Sousaphone Lance Phillips Assistant Engineer Lionel Batiste Drums (Bass) Marc Ribot Guitar, Sounds, Spanish Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Banjo Michael Blair Xylophone, Chinese Drums, Drums, Drums (Snare), Transcription Assistant, Percussion, Bells, Anvil, Metal Pipes, Arranger, Marimba, Vibraphone, Tympani [Timpani], Temple Bells, Conductor, Glockenspiel, Tambourine Mike Ross Assistant Engineer, Engineer Mitchell Froom Chamberlin, Keyboards, Indian Harmonium, Harmonium, Wurlitzer, Piano (Electric), Organ Paul McCartney Bass (Electric), Guitar (Bass) Pete Thomas Drums Phyllis Cohen Make-Up Ralph Forbes Drum Programming, Drums (Electric), Drum Programming Roger Lewis Sax (Soprano), Sax (Baritone) Roger McGuinn Guitar (12 String), Guitar (Rickenbacker) Steve Wickham Fiddle T Bone Burnett Transcription Assistant, Guitar (Bass), Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), National Steel Guitar, Conductor, Arranger T-Bone Wolk Accordion, Bass The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Performer, String Arrangements William Green Drums Willie Green Drums