The Words and Music of Elvis Costello

Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.; This volume provides in-depth analysis of the words, music, and recordings of Elvis Costello, one of the most enigmatic, eclectic, and critically acclaimed singer-songwriters of the rock era. Biographical Note: James E. Perone, PhD, is associate dean of the faculty and Margaret Morgan Ramsey Professor in music at the University of Mount Union, Alliance, OH. Publisher Marketing: Elvis Costello is one of the greatest pop songwriters of his generation as well as one of the most significant songwriters of the 20th century. His career's length now approaching four decades, Costello continues to be vital part of pop culture through live performances, recordings, and the iconic nature of his work. "The Words and Music of Elvis Costello" provides in-depth analysis of this important artist's words, music, and recordings. Arranged chronologically, the book places Costello in the cultural context of his time and place; addresses the overlaps between rock, classical, torch song, and jazz in Costello's highly eclectic range of songs from 1975 to the present; provides a look at the uniquely British aspects of his work; and uniquely spotlights his compositional techniques and approaches to musical form. The book covers everything from Costello's first album "My Aim Is True" as well as his other albums in the 1970s to his body of work in the '80s and '90s to his continuing eclecticism in the 21st century as he successfully integrates what would appear to be mutually exclusive genres. The concluding chapter provides analysis of the critical commentary about Elvis Costello's work as a performer and songwriter over his long career.

Contributor Bio:  Perone, James E JAMES E. PERONE is the series editor for "The Praeger Singer-Songwriter Collection." He is Professor of Music at Mount Union College, where he teaches American music, music theory, and clarinet. Perone is the author of The Sound of Stevie Wonder: His Words and Music (2006), and The Words and Music of Carole King (2006), both in the Singer-Songwriter series. He is also the author of the Greenwood Press books Music of the Counterculture Era (2004) and Woodstock: An Encyclopedia of the Music and Art Fair (2005).