Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 62

MUSIC OS ONLINE NOW Checkout concert reviews at music.azcentral.com. I 1 I ELVIS COSTELLO When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 9. Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

Admission: $58. Details: 480-994-2787, scottsdaleperforming arts.org. Classics from early Costello ByEdMasley The Arizona Republic Elvis Costello arrived on American shores as the angry young man on the cover of "My Aim Is True." But even in his brutal vouth. he showed a tender side that served him well on such classics as "King of America" and last year's country-flavored ef fort, "Secret, Profane Sugarcane. There's not a song on that album that wouldn't sound great if he dusted it off at his upcoming solo acoustic performance in Scottsdale.

But here's hoping he'll consider these classics from barely knew who turned up in the gossip pages, where certain assumptions were made about her character just for being seen with him. 5. "Little Trieeers" (1978) The odd track out on his ex plosive second album, "This Year's Model," "Little Trig gers" has him hung up on a femme fatale he accuses of pulling emotional triggers with i 7 1" I a i i 2 1 UJ Ui I 6 I his first 10 years. 1. "I Want You" (1986) Only Costello could make the words "I love you" feel as much like hands around your throat as they do in the opening lines of this slow-burning ballad.

And it just gets creepier from there, his vocals dripping with contempt as he begs his former lover for the "stupid details" of her new romance. 2. "Riot Act" (1980) The majestic track starts with a trembling admission that "Forever doesn't mean forever anymore" in one of Costello's more vulnerable vocal performances to that date. 3. "Alison" (1977) This understated ballad from "My Aim Is True" has the feel of an old pop vocal standard.

But the words are pure Costello gold I see you've got a husband now. Did he leave your pretty fingers lying in the wedding 4. "Party Girl" (1979) A soulful pop ballad that builds to a breathtaking, Beat-lesque climax, it's based on the real-life story of a girl he her tongue, as the Attractions rock a stately 68 soul groove. 6. "Motel Matches" (1980) Heartbreaking country-soul ballad from "Get is a cryptic cheating song where everyone seems guilty of getting something on the side.

7. "Watch Your Step" (1981) This midtempo ballad from "Trust" finds him making the most of having Steve Nieve around to play piano and mel-odica. At first, he warns, "You'd better watch your step," but in the second verse, he puts a spin on that with a sneering, "You think you're young and original. Get out before they get to watch your step." JAMES OMAHA 1.