Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Elvis's best collaboration yet., 2 Jun 2006
Firstly I must confess to being something of an avid Costello fan. Secondly unlike many of his fans I actually prefer his later albums to his earlier output. Elvis has recorded various albums which can be regarded as 'side projects', although I'm sure the man himself doesn't see them this way. These include his ballet suite 'Il Sogno', the Juliet Letters' song cycle with the Brodsky Quartet and 'Painted from Memory' with Burt Bacharach, as well as various collaborations with Paul McCartney, Anne-Sophie Von Otter and many others besides. So what differentiates 'The River in Reverse' from his previous collaborations. Firstly, most of the songs on this album are culled from Allen Toussaint's back catalogue, five were co-written by Costello/Toussaint and only one track (The River in Reverse) was written solely by Costello. Secondly, and more importantly there are no filler tracks on this album, every one is a gem. Costello takes the lead vocal on all tracks except 'Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further' on which he and Toussaint share vocals. I would actually have liked to have heard more duets on this album as Toussaint also has a great voice. Toussaint's roll on this album consists of backing vocals and piano accompaniment, on which he does an outstanding job. This is a very soulful album, and one which gets better with each listening. In my humble opinion this is the best album from Costello since 'Spike'. My favourite album so far this year. If you're already a Costello fan you'll love this if not try and borrow a copy and give this a couple of listens. Outstanding.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, respectable, but a little short of a classic., 9 Sep 2007
Although this album isn't quite the "best album Elvis Costello has made for years", according to many critics, The River In Reverse is very good indeed. The reason those artists collaborated in the first place was for a benefit concert for the survivors of the recent New Orleans disaster and, given their chemistry and mutual respect, they decided to cut an album together. The bluesy, atmospheric title track allures to what happened in New Orleans and will undoubtedly draw you in. My personal favourite is 'International Echo', one of five songs Elvis co-wrote with Toussaint - it features the very best of both artists, Costello's wit and sneering vocals backed with some fantastic piano licks from Allen. It's a real collaboration as well, with a song by Costello (The River In Reverse), seven by Toussaint (many previously written) and, as I mentioned, the five geniune co-written songs, all of which are superb, by them both.
Backed by Elvis' band, The Imposters, (who are The Attractions minus the one Elvis doesn't get on with any more) and a really kicking horn section (The Crescent City Horns), this whole album has a feel of a quality swing/jazz collection which could have been recorded up to fifty years ago, but retains a contemporary, vibrant, vital sound, so you're never left thinking that you're listening to anything other than original music from two artists still at the top of their game.
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10 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Blues Are Not for Elvis, 21 Jul 2006
At near his best, he may be Almost Blue, but Elvis is near his worst when he sings the Blues.
I was looking forward to a soulful collaboration with Allen Toussaint. Unfortunately, this CD is too strongly influenced by the Blues, which unfortunately, Elvis can't really sing. I love the man, and have done for 25 years, but I just wish he could see that his voice and the Blues don't go together (recall Sour Milk Cow Blues, The Eisenhower Blues, quite a few from Kojak Variety etc.). There is no real 'feel' in the arrangements either, and Elvis' voice too often grates. Even the genuinely soulful 'All These Things' has been done better by Elvis solo in the past (see extended re-issue of Blood and Chocolate).
After all his great successes, he's allowed some poor ones, and this is one of those.
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