SUPERB COLLECTION OF ODDITIES & RARITIES CENTRED AROUND ALMOST BLUE
Almost Blue, the sixth studio album by Elvis Costello, was recorded in May 1981 in Nashville, Tennessee, and released in October the same year. A departure from Costello's previous works, it is a covers collection composed entirely of country music songs, including works written by Hank Williams and George Jones. The project originated with Costello's desire to record a collection of covers after his two previous studio albums commercially underperformed.
Produced by Billy Sherrill, the recording sessions were marked by a fraught atmosphere, including resistance from Sherrill himself. Costello's poor health during recording and troubled personal life reflected in the song choices. All of the tracks express a "blue" state of mind, reflected in the cover artwork, an homage to jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell's Midnight Blue.
1 Cry, Cry, Cry 2:42
2 Honky Tonk Girl 2:26
3 Why I’m Walking 2:14
4 He’s Got You 3:56
5 I’ll Take Care Of You 3:07
6 Blues Keep Calling/Cry, Cry, Cry 3:44
7 How Much I Lied 2:22
8 Tears Before Bedtime 2:20
9 Psycho 3:27
10 My Shoes Keep Walking 2:03
11 How Much I Lied 2:24
12 Wondering 2:25
13 Darling, You Know I Wouldn’t Lie 5:17
14 Pads, Paws And Claws/Leave My Kitten Alone 4:17
15 Baby’s In Black 2:16
16 Knocking On Heaven’s Door 4:26
17 Third Rate Romance 3:27
18 Radio, Radio 2:42
19 Stranger In The House 4:20
20 I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself 2:31
21 Really Mystified 1:42
22 Living A Little, Laughing A Little 3:52