Elvis Costello Plans Simultaneous Album Release

Elvis Costello will simultaneously release two diverse albums later this year. The ever-prolific veteran artist is in the midst of recording a new rock album backed by his band the Imposters. In addition, the London Symphony Orchestra has recorded his composition “Il Sogno.” Both albums will be issued in the fall by Universal labels; an exact release date has not yet been determined.

Currently being recorded in Oxford, Miss., and Memphis, the as-yet-untitled rock album will come out on Lost Highway Records.

“Il Sogno” is Costello first full-length orchestral composition. Deutsche Grammophon will release the London Symphony Orchestra’s recording, conducted by Michael Tilson-Thomas. Plans are for the set to include a bonus disc that will be recorded at this summer’s North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, Holland.

Costello is to open the four-day event with a July 8 performance at North Sea’s Buhrmann Midsummer Jazz Gala. Longtime collaborator Steve Nieve (the Attractions, the Imposters) and the Metropole Orkest will accompany Costello in solo piano, big band, string quartet and full orchestra settings.

In addition, the 52-member Metropole Orkest is scheduled to make its North American debut July 13 during the first of three Costello performances at New York’s Lincoln Center Festival 2004. Costello and the Imposters will perform two nights later, while on July 17, “Il Songo” will receive its continental premiere as performed by the Brooklyn Philharmonic.

Additionally, Costello is providing new liner notes and combing through possible bonus material for his next set of catalog reissues. Due in August from Rhino are revamped versions of his 1981 country-leaning album “Almost Blue,” 1984’s bittersweet and slickly produced “Goodbye Cruel World” and the 1995 covers album, “Kojak Variety.” As with the label’s past updates of Costello albums, each will comprise the remastered and remixed original album on one disc and a full complement of related bonus material on a second.

As previously reported, Costello will publish two books next year through a deal with Simon & Schuster. One will center around “styles, themes and characters” in the artist’s lyrics, while the other is described as a “work of comic philosophy. ” That set carries the title “How to Play the Guitar, Sing Loudly and Impress Girls… or Boys.”

Source billboard.com.

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