Almost Blue


Almost Blue is an album by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It was recorded May 1981 in Nashville, and released on 23 October 1981. The record's songs consist entirely of country covers, including works originally written by Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, George Jones and Gram Parsons. It was Costello's first album not to be produced by Nick Lowe.
Contemporary critical reaction to Almost Blue was mixed, with Trouser Press labelling the album "surprisingly clumsy" and "a dud", while Robert Christgau gave it a grade of B- and Rolling Stone gave it an overall positive three-star review. In recent years, AllMusic rated it favourably, and Rhapsody praised the album, calling it one of their favourite cover version albums.

Packaging and artwork

Album cover was designed by Barney Bubbles. The design is an homage to the 1963 Blue Note album Midnight Blue by Kenny Burrell. Many versions of the artwork were made, with slightly different base colours.
It originally appeared with a warning label that read "WARNING: This album contains country & western music and may cause offence to narrow minded listeners". An alternative label read "WARNING! This album contains country & western music and may produce radical reaction in narrow minded people".
A rare promotional version exists, with plain white cover and a pencil drawing of the band by Bruce Thomas. Each cover is uniquely signed by the band members in coloured marker pen. Tracks includes a short introduction by Elvis Costello, explaining the origins of the particular song. The catalogue number is EC Chat1.

Track listing

Note: The Rykodisc version has the original tracks and bonus tracks on one CD. The Rhino version has two CDs with the original tracks on the first CD.

Bonus tracks (1994 Rykodisc)

  1. "He's Got You" – 4:07
  2. "Cry! Cry! Cry!" – 2:45
  3. "There Won't Be Anymore" – 2:23
  4. "Sittin' and Thinkin'" – 2:55
  5. "Honey Hush" – 2:31
  6. "Psycho" – 3:36
  7. "Your Angel Steps Out of Heaven" – 1:58
  8. "Darling, You Know I Wouldn't Lie" – 2:37
  9. "My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You" – 2:04
  10. "Tears Before Bedtime" – 2:27
  11. "I'm Your Toy" – 3:49

    Bonus disc (2004 Rhino)

All songs written by Costello unless noted.
  1. "Stranger in the House" – 3:39
  2. "We Ought to Be Ashamed" – 2:47
  3. "Radio Sweetheart" – 3:15
  4. "Stranger in the House" – 3:56
  5. "Psycho" – 3:35
  6. "If I Could Put Them All Together " – 2:28
  7. "Motel Matches" – 2:21
  8. "He'll Have to Go" – 2:51
  9. "Girls Talk" – 1:46
  10. "Too Far Gone" – 3:11
  11. "He's Got You" – 3:51
  12. "Honky Tonk Girl" – 2:26
  13. "That's Why I'm Walking" – 2:22
  14. "Wondering" – 2:21
  15. "Darling, You Know I Wouldn't Lie" – 2:37
  16. "My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You" – 2:04
  17. "Blues Keep Calling" – 2.07
  18. "Tears Before Bedtime" – 2:27
  19. "Psycho" – 3:32
  20. "Cry, Cry, Cry" – 2:45
  21. "I'll Take Care of You" – 3:11
  22. "Your Angel Steps Out of Heaven" – 1:59
  23. "Brand New Heartache" – 2:29
  24. "There Won't Be Anymore" – 2:32
  25. "Sittin' and Thinkin'" – 2:51
  26. "Honey Hush" – 2:30
  27. "I'm Your Toy" – 4:01

    Personnel

;The Attractions
;Additional personnel
;Technical
Album
YearChartPosition
1981Billboard Pop Albums50