King of America

Infobox Album
Name = King of America
Type = Studio album
Artist = The Costello Show featuring the Attractions and Confederates


Released = February 21 1986
Recorded = Ocean Way, Sunset Sound & Sound Factory Studio
Los Angeles, 1985-86
Genre = Americana
Length = 57:36
Label = Demon (UK)
Columbia (US)
Rykodisc (September 5 1995 Reissue)
Rhino (April 26 2005 Reissue)
Producer = J. Henry (T-Bone) Burnett, Declan MacManus
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:rm6dtrotkl2x link]
* Pitchfork (8.7/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/16336/Elvis_Costello_King_of_America link]
* Robert Christgau (A-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=1852&name=The+Costello+Show+%28Featuring+Elvis+Costello%29 link]
* "Rolling Stone" Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/elviscostello/albums/album/229026/rid/7284840/ link]
Last album = "The Best of Elvis Costello & The Attractions" (1985)
This album = "King of America" (1986)
Next album = "Blood and Chocolate" (1986)

"King of America" is the tenth album by the British rock singer and songwriter Elvis Costello, billed as "the Costello Show featuring the Attractions and Confederates."

At the time of this album, the recently-divorced Costello legally changed his name back to Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus (the "Aloysius" being a new addition). Consequently, this is the first of a string of albums where the songs and production are credited to MacManus, while the album itself is credited to Elvis Costello. All of Costello's instrumental performances on this album are attributed to "the Little Hands of Concrete" (L.H.C. for short), a self-deprecating reference to his guitar-playing ability.

Track listing

# Brilliant Mistake
# Lovable
# Our Little Angel
# Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
# Glitter Gulch
# Indoor Fireworks
# Little Palaces
# I'll Wear It Proudly Elvis Costello
# American Without Tears
# Eisenhower Blues
# Poisoned Rose
# The Big Light
# Jack Of All Parades Elvis Costello
# Suit Of Lights
# Sleep Of The Just

Personnel

*Elvis Costello a/k/a The Little Hands of Concrete a/k/a Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolins, lead vocal
*Mickey Curry – brushes, drums, sticks
*Jerry Scheff – string bass, electric bass
*Tom "T-Bone" Wolk – electric guitar, piano accordion, electric bass
*Mitchell Froom – Hammond organ, harpsichord, organ, doctored piano

Additional personnel

*Jim Keltner – sticks, drums, brushes
*David Hidalgo – harmony vocal (on "Lovable")
*James Burton – electric guitar, Dobro, acoustic guitar
*Ron Tutt – brushes, drums
*Michael Blair – marimba
*T-Bone Burnett – electric guitar, production
*Jo-El Sonnier – French accordion on "American Without Tears"
*Ray Brown – string bass on "Eisenhower Blues"
*Earl Palmer– brushes, drums
*Tom Canning – piano
*Steve Nieve – piano, Hammond organ
*Bruce Thomas – electric bass on "Suit of Lights"
*Pete Thomas – sticks, drums on "Suit of Lights"

External links

* [http://www.astheygo.com/ecessay05.html "The Jack of All Parades" - essay by Connor Ratliff]