Elvis Costello

Painted From Memory

Heavenly Collaboration

Review Score:

(10/10)
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach joined forces at the urging of film-maker Alison Anders to compose a 60s flavored ballad for her Brill Building roman a clef, "Grace of My Heart." The result, the phenomenal "God Give Me Strength," was so inspired that the two musical giants decided to write an entire album together, and "Painted from Memory" is the heavenly result. Every track is a winner on its own merits, and together, all the songs flow into each other perfectly. This is a bluesy, melancholy, rueful set of songs which chart the canals and streams of a broken heart. Allusions to 60s themes ("Tears at the Birthday Party") and Bacharach's own legacy ("This House Is Empty Now") are clever and not at all as facile as they may sound on paper. The emotional truths at the heart of these remarkable songs are buoyed by the haunting melodies, and Costello's singing has never been more honest, tender or bruised. This is truly one of those rare collaborations that spotlight both artists at their finest and create a whole new musical force. Easily stands alongside Bacharach's Dionne Warwick catelogue or Costello's "Imperial Bedroom."

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