Secret, Profane and Sugarcane

Just a reminder: If you're in the San Francisco or Hollywood, CA area, you might want to check out Elvis Costello at Amoeba today. He'll be performing songs from his latest CD, Secret, Profane and Sugarcane.

The album, which was produced by the legendary T. Bone Burnett, has Elvis getting in touch with his inner cowboy as he croons thirteen country-infused tunes. Even with the laconic drawling western sound, Elvis' signature sharp wit is still in evidence as witnessed by the lyrics of the CD's opening song, "Down Among the Wines and Spirits":

"Down among the wines and spirits
Where a man gets where he merits...
Once it was written in letter 'bout nine feet tall
Now he sees how far he's fallen

Since he set his mind on her completely
But then I guess that you couldn't have seen him lately
Walking around with a pain that just never ceases
He starts to speak and then he goes to pieces..."

Not only did Burnett produce the album, but he also played guitar on several songs and co-wrote "Sulphur to Sugarcane" and "The Crooked Line" with Costello. Elvis also collaborated with Loretta Lynn on "I Felt the Chill Before the Winter Came" and Emmylou Harris provides harmony vocals on "The Crooked Line" adding to the country-western cred.

Two non-Costello compositions appear on the album notably Lou Reed's "Femme Fatale" and the album's closing number, "Changing Partners" by Lawrence Coleman and Joseph Darion.

Track List:

1. Down Among the Wine and Spirits
2. Complicated Shadows
3. I Felt the Chill
4. My All Time Doll
5. Hidden Shame
6. She Handed Me a Mirror
7. I Dreamed of My Old Lover
8. How Deep is the Red
9. She Was No Good
10. Sulfur to Sugarcane
11. Red Cotton
12. The Crooked Line
13. Changing Partners

Secret, Profane and Sugarcane showcases Costello's journey from ascerbic witty punk-pop star to reflective rock elder statesman musing about how "Life isn't a game...won or tied..lost by either side..." Kick back, pour yourself a cold brew and enjoy!

I Love Elvis

I'm a big fan of Elvis Costello and if you are as well--and you're in the Los Angeles or San Francisco area--you're in for a treat!

To promote his newly released album Secret, Profane and Sugarcane, Elvis will conduct a one-day music tour with acoustic performances on Monday, June 22nd at the San Francisco (noon) and Hollywood (8 pm) Amoeba Music stores.

CD signings will follow the mini-concerts.

If you're not located near either of these cities, no worries. The Hollywood performance at 8 pm PT will be streamed live on Amoeba.com.

Playing for Change

Playing for Change describes themselves as "a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music."

Starting in 2005 in my hometown of Santa Monica, CA, Playing for Change has traveled to Barcelona, Johnannesburg, Cape Town, New Orleans, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Ghana and Dublin bringing musicians from all over the world together to perform benefit concerts that build music and art schools in communities that are in need of inspiration and hope.

Those performances have been recorded and are available on a 2-disc CD/DVD. The ten song audio CD features classics written by Bob Marley, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, U2/Bob Dylan and Sam Cooke and featuring performances by Keb Mo', Bob Marley and Bono.

Disc One - CD

1. Stand By Me 5:13
2. One Love 5:01
3. War/No More Trouble 4:34
4. Biko 4:48
5. Let's Don't Worry 3:24
6. Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution 3:52
7. Better Man 5:23
8. Chanda Mama 3:30
9. Love Rescue Me 2:50
10. A Change Is Gonna Come 6:03

Disc Two - DVD

1. Stand By Me 5:28
2. One Love 5:01
3. War/No More Trouble 4:34
4. Let's Don't Worry 3:22
5. Chanda Mama 3:30
6. The Playing for Change Foundation 3:00
7. The Playing for Change: Peace Through Music Trailer 1:24