Jun 242011
 

Elvis Costello is currently crossing the country on his “Spectacular Spinning Songbook” tour, in which audience members spin a giant wheel with song names and he plays the winner with the Imposters. He first debuted the concept in 1986, but this time he added a few new “jackpots,” aka. longer thematic suites. One labeled “I Can Sing a Rainbow” features a mini-set of color-themed songs: “Greenshirt,” “Red Shoes,” and a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain.”

In New York last month, no one hit that jackpot. But whatever – Costello played the song anyway. He also covered Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan (in honor of his 70th birthday), and the Who. Courtesy of intrepid YouTuber docinwestchester, we have excellent audience videos of all five below. Prince would not approve.

Elvis Costello and the Imposters – Purple Rain (Prince cover)

Elvis Costello and the Imposters – Let Me Roll It (Paul McCartney and Wings cover)

Elvis Costello and the Imposters – Out of Time (The Rolling Stones cover)

Elvis Costello – License to Kill (Bob Dylan cover)

Elvis Costello and the Imposters – Substitute (The Who cover)

Check out more Elvis Costello at his website. Photo by Chad Batka.

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  2 Responses to “Watch Elvis Costello and the Imposters Cover “Purple Rain” and More”

Comments (2)
  1. “Out of Time” is definitely the best of these. The song works best with Elvis’s style, and the performance itself is clean and fantastic. That’s not to say that he does a bad job with the others… they’re all great, and it looks like it was a fantastic show, but that cover is definitely the best of the bunch!

  2. I’m really psyched to see my videos on your blog, which I’ve always enjoyed BTW. “Intrepid”…yeah…stealth video recording is a huge pain in the neck, that’s for sure, but I’m glad someone’s watching.

    Elvis is king.

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