Elvis Costello is one of pop’s most inventive composers—he once penned a song called “Everyday I Write the Book,” which brilliantly drew parallels between romance and a wordsmith’s craft. Now the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has actually written a book, a memoir called
Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, in which he cleverly weaves stories about his life, jazz-musician wife Diana Krall and assorted music-legend friends. He’s also compiled 38 songs on two discs that compliment the themes and stories in his book. The collection draws from his impressive song catalogue, including early hits like “Alison” and “Watching the Detectives” to numbers co-written with the likes of George Jones, Allen Toussaint, Burt Bacharach and Sir Paul McCartney. Also included are two previously unreleased tracks: “I Can’t Turn It Off,” recorded during his sessions for
My Aim is True, and “April 5
th,” a stunning collaboration with Kris Kristofferson and Rosanne Cash that easily ranks as one of Costello's finest creations.
