When Elvis Costello and the Imposters take the Taft Theatre stage Monday night, they'll be toting — and touting — the Spectacular Spinning Songbook, a carnival-size, Roulette Wheel-like prop listing the titles of 40 of the hundreds of songs Costello has recorded and performed in his 30-plus years in music. Hits, obscurities, covers — anything is game.
Audience members take the stage one at a time, give a spin and the band plays whatever song the wheel randomly selects. Costello last did this type of tour in 1986, so there is a lot of dramatic tension in how the game-show aspect of the concert will work this time.
But we're not satisfied with the outside chance of being at the Taft and being called up to select one song, by total chance. We'd like to suggest a dozen in advance for Elvis to put up on the big board. We are not above jumping on stage and stopping the wheel mid-spin if any of these songs have a spot on the wheel.
Elvis Costello and The Imposters perform at the Taft Theatre Monday. Go here to read Steven Rosen's full story.
