Did you see the Spectacle show with Elvis Costello and Elton John on the Sundance Channel last night? What did you think?
If you didn’t see it, I can’t say this too strongly: YOU MUST SEE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don’t have Sundance Channel yourself, call a friend who does! The episode repeats tonight at 11 p.m., Sunday at 2 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesday at 12 a.m. and Wednesday at 5 p.m. It’s also available “on demand” on some cable systems.
Elton and Elvis talk about Laura Nyro and her influence on music and musicians for at least a quarter of the hour show! My jaw dropped–considering that I NEVER hear Laura’s name spoken on TV, I could hardly believe that she was the subject of such a long and loving homage. It included Elton playing “Burn Down The Mission” (see the top of this post for a fantastic early version on a BBC show), and explaining how Laura’s musical fingerprints are all over it. I must admit I never considered that before, but it all makes sense. “Mission” was a cut on Elton’s Tumbleweed Connection album, which came out a year after Christmas and the Beads of Sweat. Go back to Christmas and play “Map to the Treasure,” then check out “Burn Down The Mission.” There’s no coincidence at all about how similar the form of Elton’s composition is, and he’s completely honest and humble about it on the show.
Extra bonus on the show: The New Orleans great Allen Toussaint plays keyboards with Costello’s band, and does a verse of Elton’s “Border Song” with Elvis.
DON’T MISS THIS SHOW!!!!
Fantastic show. I thought of you when Elton and Elvis started waxing rhapsodic about Ms. Nyro (and of course had to rush over to your blog to see if you’d written about it). And they even showed a clip of Nyro in concert! This promises to be a smart and worthwhile series.
I was so blown away by the show and Elton. It was as if a certain advertisment in play to go into his work, and find Laura’s and Leon Russell whom I just adore as well. I heard references to her all through the first half hour. Just beautiful. Amazing really. I tip my bangs to Elton to be so humbe to really put her forward.
I booked Leon at Denver University’s Rock Series way back in the daze, and was so pleased to have met him. He was glorious and gave a tremendous concert. I took Sher to his Club Show in Lexington KY, if you can believe that, and he was two hours late for no reason (though I am sure there was ONE) and by the time 12:00pm came, we were cigaretted out and the folks were getting wild in the chairs. We left, and went home and I played the entirely of Leon Russell’s 70′ release to aquaint her. She loved it.
In my mind, and I think in Elton’s too, was New York Tendaberry, where he learns is REALLY OK to blend tempo changes. I feel more akin to this album being the one that he modeled in moving forward with BURN DOWN THE MISSION. However, there is no more wonderous hyper changes in Xmas, then in MAP TO THE TREASURE, a launch into the wildness in Laura. No doubt. We are were transformed then, listening to Laura, why shouldnt Elton then eh?
I gotta add that when I play Map to the Treasure, I am usually in my car, top down, and singing that song as loud as I can. Drumming the dashboard, and making an LA spec of myself. I cannot help it. Its as deep as a song can get in ones insides. Its brilllliant!
I find it annoying that each of them continually mispronounce her name while claiming to love her so much, & when they report mistaken “facts”; but it’s a pleasure to hear Laura finally get some of the acknowledgement she’s been deserving for four decades. It seems unreal to actually be hearing the name ‘Laura Nyro’ spoken on television. Thanks for the alert: I’m glad I watched it.
Hi Michele,
Sorry if this is old news as here in England we only got the ‘Spectacle’ show on the 17th December. However, it was great to see two artists I have admired for so long giving Laura Nyro such praise and attention.
I got into Eltons’ records from ‘Your Song’ onwards but, to my shame, it NEVER occured to me that he was such a big Laura fan.’ Burn Down The Mission’ was one thing, however, listen to ‘Indian Sunset’ from his ‘Madman Across The Water’ album and the Laura influence maybe apparant also in the songs’ construction: its lack of a chorus, tempo change etc. Elton said all the right things about her artistry. It gives one hope that her light will burn bright for those who still do not know who she was, who she influenced and what she acheived. In this respect, like your good self, I think that Elton gave this cause a good kick in the right direction. His praise for David Ackles has made me want to buy anything that is available also. Leon Russell plus Delaney and Bonnie mentioned as well. Cheers, Elton!!