Marian Mcpartland's Piano Jazz Radio Broadcast
This 2003 installment of the NPR showPiano Jazzpairs the affable, octogenarian pianist-host Marian McPartland with fellow Brit Elvis Costello; the once angry punk rocker, who worked with a wide range of artists, from theMingus Big Bandto the Brodsky String Quartet. Costello and McPartland, along with guest bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, discuss and play some American standard "blue ballads" and Costello’s own tunes. McPartland’s pillow-soft accompaniment smoothes out Costello’s rough vocals and guitar on "At Last,"  and "The Very Thought of You." Costello’s solo rendition of theBillie Holidayfavorite "Gloomy Sunday" is matched by "Almost Blue," the song he wrote for jazz trumpeterChet Baker, that was covered by his wifeDiana KrallonThe Girl in the Other Room. Costello closes with a vocal/piano take of one of his new songs, "I’m in the Mood Again," from his orchestrated CD,North, illuminating the mellow interior underneath his grizzled exterior.--Eugene Holley, Jr.