I first saw Elvis on the Bunch of Stiffs tour in 1977, forty seven years ago. Forty seven years prior to 1977 lies 1930. A time before the establishment of the Weimar Republic  and Adolf Hitler in Germany, George Vth was King, Hebert Hoover was American president, and the newly written hit songs of the day were Minnie the Moocher and Putting on the Ritz. 1977 is a long time ago.

Radio Costello are a Birmingham based tribute band to Elvis Costello, the first serious attempt that I am aware of. Certainly the first I have seen. There are pros and cons to such a venture. On the release of his debut album in 1977 he claimed to have written hundreds of songs, by 1986, nine years later he had released eleven albums. That is an extraordinary repertoire – with dozens to follow. Furthermore, each  album came with diverse styles and arrangements, together with verbose, multi layered lyrics. There are easier artists to pay homage to.

The venue is extraordinary, a church has been on the site for over 900 years, the existing building is over 150 years old, revered English wordsmith Samuel Johnson was baptised there. The acoustics are superb. Outside, 475 years ago , is a plaque to those who were burned at the stake in the reign of Queen Mary.

There are some who are disdainful of tribute bands. They are wrong to be so. Tribute bands are a contemporary reinterpretation in the style  of the original act. No-one goes to a Beethoven concert and complains : “ it was rubbish, Beethoven was neither playing nor conducting”.

Tom Bradshaw features as Elvis, physically similar,  but not slavishly so, Boris Brain delivers an astonishingly faithful keyboard sound. The drums and bass authentic and relentless and fluid respectively.

One of the challenges for an Elvis tribute is that only two songs were big mainstream hits, Olivers army” in the Uk, selling half a million, and Veronica in America, No 19 on Billboard. But there are numerous associated musical gems, amongst them his cover of “Good year for the Roses” and “Shipbuilding” covered by Robert Wyatt, and Alison covered by Linda Ronstadt, beyond that there are numerous cult classics which appear in the set.

Overall, including interval, they played for two and a quarter hours over two halves. My personal highlights were Clubland and King Horse, fan favourites included Watching the Detective and  Whats so Funny About Peace Love and Understanding.

A rewarding night, from a superb accomplished band whom I not only unreservedly recommend ,but whom I will also be going to see again when I next have the opportunity.

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