Elvis Costello & the Attractions - Almost Blue [Expanded]

Given the nature of Almost Blue -- a covers album filled with country songs that Elvis Costello loved -- it doesn't come as a surprise that there's a lot of related material left in the vaults, whether it's songs cut during the sessions that didn't make it to the finished record, B-sides, live tracks, or duets tucked away on other records. In other words, there's a bunch of songs that can be featured on expanded editions such as Rykodisc's 1994 reissue, which nearly doubled the length of the original 12-track LP, or on Rhino's subsequent 2004 double-disc set, which has a whopping 27 tracks on its bonus disc. The 11 bonus cuts on the Ryko edition are all here, along with a slew of outtakes from the album sessions, a set of seven live songs cut with steel guitarist John McFee (who played on My Aim Is True) from 1979, a handful of other in-concert recordings, plus duets with country legends George Jones ("Stranger in the House," originally released on the Possum's My Very Special Guests album) and Johnny Cash (the Dave Edmunds-produced "We Oughta Be Ashamed," a previously unreleased gem). Many of these recordings were initially released as B-sides or have circulated on bootlegs such as Plugging the Gaps, so there are few, if any, revelations for the hardcore here, but it's hard not to celebrate the official release of this material, since it's nearly all excellent. Given the large number of different sessions and concerts that comprise the source material for the bonus disc, it's hardly surprising that it's altogether more ragged than the finished album, but that's part of its charm, particularly because that raggedness leads to impassioned performances, such as the haunting, nervy "Stranger in the House" with McFee, which is arguably the strongest version Costello cut. While some songs are duplicated as live versions, either from the finished album or elsewhere on the bonus disc, the performances are different -- either in terms of conviction or tone -- so it never feels redundant, particularly since the music is consistently strong throughout the disc. Ultimately, the bonus disc is as satisfying as Almost Blue itself, and that's because it's essentially more of the same -- namely, more of Costello & the Attractions playing great country songs with heart and passion. If you liked the original album, which remains one of his most purely enjoyable records, this is an essential upgrade. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Billy Sherrill Audio Production, Producer Bruce Thomas Bass, Guitar (Bass), Group Member Elvis Costello Liner Notes, Audio Production, Guitar, Vocals, Group Member Fast Eddy Hudson Assistant George Jones Vocals, Quotes Researched & Compiled John McFee Guest Appearance, Guitar, Pedal Steel Johnny Cash Vocals Pete Thomas Drums, Group Member Ron Reynolds Engineer, Audio Engineer Steve Nieve Piano, Organ, Group Member The Nashville Edition Vocals (Background) Tommy Millar Fiddle