Elvis Gets Five Stars, Ticket Prices Get Both Barrels

A box set should tell a story, not merely find new ways to sell you the same songs. In Episode 45 of On The Record, Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie reckon Elvis Costello has delivered one worth hearing. The expanded My Aim Is True receives an enthusiastic assessment from both hosts, who hear its early recordings, alternate versions and live performances as a portrait of a songwriter becoming himself. “This really builds a story about how Elvis Costello came to be,” says Wise. For Wise, that story comes with eyewitness credentials. Living in London, he heard Costello’s demos on Charlie Gillett’s radio programme, then headed to the Hope and Anchor expecting a quiet night. Instead, he found a queue stretching around the corner. Mackenzie’s memories are dawn starts cleaning a restaurant ship on the Thames, with Live Stiffs in his headphones. Costello’s performance of “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself” still takes him straight back there. Show Notes Elvis Costello Unboxes ‘My Aim Is True’ 49th Anniversary Edition  Elvis Costello Walk On (Hope & Anchor Studio)  Elvis Costello & the Attractions - I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself  Whole Wide World (Live Stiffs, at University of Lester, Lester, UK / October 22nd, 1977)  Elvis Costello (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Live at Great American Music Hall,...  Elvis Costello Trust Full Album  The Kings of America Live At The Royal Albert Hall  Elvis Costello Brilliant Mistake (Live)  Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...  Lou Reed shows Sweet Jane riff  Lou Reed and Elvis Costello perform "Perfect Day"  Best of Bleak Squad  Bob Dylan. Tangled Up In Blue. Lights of Autumn Tour. Oslo. October 17, 2026  Zach Bryan - Nine Ball  The Gentlemen | A Guy Ritchie Series Official Trailer | Netflix