![Image](http://images.radcity.net/5988/1443921.jpg)
Elvis Costello (photo: Jim Rinaldi)
![Image](http://images.radcity.net/5988/1443920.jpg)
Elvis Costello & Fiona Apple
(photo: Jim Rinaldi)
![Image](http://images.radcity.net/5988/1443919.jpg)
Billie Joe Armstrong & Elvis Costello
(photo: Jim Rinaldi)
Elvis Gets By With A Little Help From His Friends
May 22, 2006
Last year, VH1 Classic began filming a series of concerts in Atlantic City, under the "Decades Rock Live" title, where an eclectic mix of musicians would pay tribute to a classic artist. Some of the previous parings seemed a little unusual (Scott Weiland and Cyndi Lauper?) but the announcement of a tribute to Elvis Costello, featuring Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Fiona Apple and Death Cab For Cutie, sounded too good to miss.
The show kicked off with Death Cab teaming with Elvis for "Accidents Will Happen," and set the pace for the rest of the night, with a mix of each artist's songs performed either together or separately. There was also a two-song set that Elvis described as the "campfire" part of the show, where he and DCFC frontman Ben Gibbard sat at the front of the catwalk for an acoustic performance of "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" and Death Cab's new single, "I Will Follow You Into The Dark."
A break in the show allowed for a changeover from Death Cab to Elvis' regular band, The Imposters. After a few songs, Fiona Apple was introduced and dueted with Costello on his "Shabby Doll." While he teamed with all the musicians on their own songs, the only time Elvis covered another artist's song alone was Apple's "I Know," which she watched from the edge of the stage. She was visibly thrilled, and told the crowd how excited she felt, after Elvis said, "That's a great song." Elvis then stepped aside to simply play guitar as he and the Imposters backed her on "Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song)" and a gripping performance of Elvis' haunting "I Want You," one of the highlights of the evening. Apple vocally held her own alongside Elvis, who you could tell was certainly a fan of hers.
After a few more songs with just Elvis and the Imposters, the third and final guest of the night was introduced to the screams of the young Green Day fans in the audience: Billie Joe Armstrong. As one of the older Green Day fans in the room, I would have preferred some more adventurous choices from the Green Day catalog for their performance together. "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and "Basket Case" were played with the full band. The pair of singers went back to the "campfire" setup for "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)" and a few Costello tunes, including "Alison," which really did become a campfire sing-along. I would have love to hear those two trade verses on a song like Green Day's "Warning," though. Armstrong also joined the band for a handful of Elvis' more rockin' classics, such as "No Action," "Radio Radio" and "Pump It Up."
The entire lineup returned for the encore of the Motown classic "You Really Got A Hold On Me" and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding." Since the concert was a TV taping, it made the pacing of the show a bit odd at times, but I'm sure it will come across great when it airs on VH1 Classic this summer.