Cover Stars pt3 - Elvisly Yours

I'm a passionate Elvis fan (both kinds - Presley and Costello) and own many of their classic albums as well as their respective "odds and sods" recordings.

Besides sharing a first name, both are/were skilled and respectful interpreters of other people's songs.

A few years back, Elvis C released a great covers album called Kojak Variety that included a superb version of "Days" by the Kinks and Dan Baker's "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man" and more.

Equally good - to my ears - was Costello's country covers album, Almost Blue, which was universally slagged off when it was released. And his blistering take (with The Attractions) of Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny Bout' Peace, Love and Understanding" always gets my pulse racing.

Seems Elvis C's songs are popular with a bunch of other artists and some excellent covers are highlighted on the terrific Cover Lay Down website.

Visit Covered in Folk: Elvis Costello to enjoy Costello covered by the very cool and classy Laura Cantrell and a host of others. I especially like Mae Robertson's smokey, jazzy Almost Blue.