Elvis Costello: Spectacle - Season One

I didn't even know this series existed until I recently started hunting down some of Elvis Costello's live performances and MTV videos.Wow - I see how this show could bore the wrong audience, but if you enjoy in-depth interviews with some of the greatest living legends of pop music, with intimate live performances and archival footage sprinkled in, then this series is a must-have. You'll probably enjoy it all the more if you're a musician too!Elvis Costello proves to be as good at chatting with his peers as he is at performing his art. He doesn't hog the proceedings, and he poses intelligent questions. Really, this is like being privy to a relaxed yet elucidating conversation between musical giants. There's some interesting revelations here - like how Elton John said the British youth of his day coveted American vinyl pressings of records as superior to those produced in England (while in America, we of course thought the opposite).It's a shame this show only lasted two seasons - there were artists still living at the time this series was made that would have been fascinating guests. Still, there's a lot to be enjoyed here. "Elvis Costello: Spectacle" is a treasure. :)

I love this series. I love the simplicity of the concept. One of my musical heroes interviewing many other music giants with the sole purpose of providing the audience a deeper insight than one would normally get from spot interviewers.I won't go into the details of the show, that has been reviewed before. I just wanted to clarify something regarding the extras. When I read there were bonus interviews included, I was extremely excited. Last year when Elvis discussed the making of the show and some of the unfortunate edits that went into the process of cutting a show down to an hour long, he specifically referenced having to snip FOUR OR FIVE MINUTES from Smokey Robinson's response to the writing process for "Just My Soul Responding". I thought for sure this release would take advantage of not having this time restraint and add that footage (as well as for other artists) back in. And when I read there were bonus interviews, I figured that was what was going on.But the additional interviews are actually just that. Additional interviews that weren't conducted by Elvis as part of the show. Not that there's anything wrong with including these either, they are a welcome addition. But if the time restraints have been lifted, why not put additional material back into the extras as well? Isn't that supposed to be one of the biggest perks for nerds like me who want to hear it all?That being said, this is a wonderful series. I believe Elvis stated that Season 2 would be his last, and that's really unfortunate. There are so many other great artists I would love to see interviewed in this format.There are also four complete bonus songs as well, including the full version of Elton's Ballad of a Well Known Gun with James burton playing lead. The stuff of dreams.....Alas, we must be happy with what we have here.

Ordered both the blu-ray and DVD versions of this after downloading a couple episodes from i-tunes. If you are interested in popular music, songwriting, and musicians--this is a good choice. If you just want videotaped performances, look elsewhere. Elvis Costello, who I never really listened to in his prime, is very knowledgeable and a pretty good interviewer. Episodes usually start out with Elvis and some musicians doing one of the artists songs. There may be a song or two mixed in with the interview and it usually wraps with Elvis doing a song or two with the guest (though not always one of the guests songs). Some of the performances end up being rather interesting--Elvis and The Police doing Purple Haze. The blu-ray was supposed to arrive first and the DVD was to be a gift, but the DVD came first so it became a gently-used gift. Both versions have 5.1 sound, but the DTS version on the blu-ray sounds slightly better--more depth in the mid-ranges. I do wish that they had included more bonus features in the package. There are, for example, a number of behind the scenes clips online that are not on the DVDs. Also, someone should have removed the zoom button from the cameras used for some of the bonus interviews as the camera person got carried away. Upon arrival, one of the discs didn't play. It worked after a good cleaning. It did take me more than a few minutes to figure out how to remove the discs from the packaging.

Ordered both the DVD and blu-ray versions of this after downloading a couple episodes from i-tunes. If you are interested in popular music, songwriting, and musicians--this is a good choice. If you just want videotaped performances, look elsewhere. Elvis Costello, who I never really listened to in his prime, is very knowledgeable and a pretty good interviewer. Episodes usually start out with Elvis and some musicians doing one of the artists songs. There may be a song or two mixed in with the interview and it usually wraps with Elvis doing a song or two with the guest (though not always one of the guests songs). Some of the performances end up being rather interesting--Elvis and The Police doing Purple Haze. The blu-ray was supposed to arrive first and the DVD was to be a gift, but the DVD came first so it became a gently-used gift. Both versions have 5.1 sound, but the DTS version on the blu-ray sounds slightly better--more depth in the mid-ranges. I do wish that they had included more bonus features in the package. There are, for example, a number of behind the scenes clips online that are not on the DVDs. Also, someone should have removed the zoom button from the cameras used for some of the bonus interviews as the camera person got carried away. It did take me more than a few minutes to figure out how to remove the discs from the packaging.

What a simple idea - why hasn't anyone ever thought about this format before? This isn't some half-brained and glib chat show host mud raking through their guests private lives or just not bothering to give a decent interview at all - this is intelligent chat amongst professionals talking about what they love. This, in the light of what passes for chat shows in the UK is a ground breaking concept! And the chat is interesting - surprise, surprise! What a relief to hear Elton John talk about his music and influences without any prurient digs at his sex life and alleged tantrums - not only a relief but it is still entertaining! Costello is a genial and knowledgeable host who even manages to get the reticent Lou Reed to speak in much more than his usual monosyllables. Did anyone else in the world actually get The Police to appear on stage together(ish) outside of their stadium gigs? This series might go down in history for that little - yet uncomfortable - gem. And how could we forget the Bill Clinton interview? Sorry guys Monica doesn't get a mention. All in all, this is a highly satisfying programme for people who are passionate about music by people who are passionate about music - this isn't a show for the likes of Simon Cowell and his Zombie entourage. People with souls - ENJOY!

If you are interested why songwriters write, how they write and construct a song this is the series for you. On so many levels this series hits the "Inform", "Educate" and "Entertain" mark dead centre every show. When I purchased this box set I was a Rufus Wainwright fan now I am a Elvis Costello fan. Go on take a risk you will not regret it.It very sad that Series 2 will not be shown on UK TV???

Very good value with so many interviews and live performances. A good attempt to make interesting and serious music programmes as you would expect from EC.

Expensive, but worth every penny as there is nothing else like it around. Who would have thought that Elvis was so talented. He brings out many unexpected delights. I would love to buy a CD of the musical highlights. Buy volume 2 as well!

I've had one of the episodes of this set on my pvr for over a year, waiting to buy the whole season, and unable to part with it until I did. It's the one where Elton John sub-hosts to interview Elvis Costello's wife, Diana Krall. And it's the jewel in the show's crown. And the whole show's a wonder of musical spectacle, information and really interesting personalities. The most fascinating of whom is the host, Costello, himself. He's so obviously well informed, so patently appreciative of their talents, and so able to relax them into talking candidly about themselves, their colleagues and their music.How do I like it? PLEASE, television, bring us "More, More, More" of this quality entertainment!