Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Elvis Costello: Spectacle Season 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

How did I miss one of the best talk shows on television for two years?

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown November 12, 2010

How Spectacle's thirteen-episode first season ended up at the bottom of a stack of backlog screeners in my office, I'll never know. Why I initially thought it would be a waste of time, I can't quite remember. I'm just glad I finally sat down to watch host Elvis Costello's absorbing talk show; an exceptional Sundance Channel series savvy television viewers have been well acquainted with since its 2009 U.S. debut. With a string of diverse guests -- ranging from living industry legends to active veterans to promising newcomers to the occasional filmmaker or prominent world leader -- weekly performances, a few surprise jam sessions, and dozens of in-depth interviews teeming with intelligent questions and insightful answers, Costello dissects the impact music and its foremost icons have made on individual artists, culture and society at large. His approach? "I'm not interested in extracting some dark secret. I'd rather hear about a bright secret. A deep love or a curiosity that might be otherwise obscured by fame. This is a wonderful opportunity to talk in complete thoughts about music, movies, art or even vaudeville, then frame it with unique and illustrative performances." Interest piqued? It should be.

"Magic and Loss"

The format of the series is both simple and brilliant in its simplicity. Costello sets the tone of each episode with a personal performance, enthusiastically introduces his first (sometimes only) guest, sits down for a quiet, oft-times charming chat and, when the opportunity presents itself, grabs his guitar and plays a song with whatever artists he's assembled. He leaves little room for ego and even less room for self-promotion, focusing on the individual while expanding the scope of his discussions to touch on greater, grander things. Spectacle isn't Late Night or The Tonight Show, and it's as far removed from a variety show as Costello can afford. Instead, it's an intimate, revealing exploration of the lives, loves and careers of those he invites on his program; one more akin to the best episodes of Inside the Actors Studio (minus James Lipton's rampant adulation and audience Q&A sessions). And it works. Set in a modest studio with a small audience, he manages to strip most of the stars that grace his stage of their fame, disarming young musicians with his humility and stature, and bringing Rock & Roll heavyweights down to Earth with captivating industry history, shared nostalgia and long-forgotten experiences.

The first season's thirteen episodes are as follows:

• Sir Elton John: Series executive producer (and resident Rocket Man) Elton John recalls his early career struggles, the professional musicians who inspired and mentored a young English pianist from Pinner, the development of his flamboyant stage persona and the evolution of his work. Costello, in turn, pulls from his own past to guide the interview with the poise and precision of someone who's been hosting a show like Spectacle for decades.
• President Bill Clinton: Clinton may seem like a strange choice, but spend just ten minutes watching Costello's interview and any doubt about the former President and saxophonist's inclusion will be laid to rest. Clinton describes the manner in which music defined his life and eventual role in the Free World, his decision to abandon a professional music career for politics, the way his subsequent rhythm and discipline helped make him the politician he is, and how the world has changed over the last century, thanks in large part to Jazz, Rock & Roll and the upbeats and downbeats of the modern age.
• Tony Bennett: Cool Cat and Vegas mainstay Tony Bennett waxes poetic about the era of Sinatra, his mistakes and successes, the many things new artists can learn by studying the genres and legends of old, and the current state of the music world, all while performing a number of familiar songs (including a surprise duet with Costello's wife, pianist and singer Diana Krall).
• Lou Reed and Julian Schnabel: Velvet Underground singer/songwriter/guitarist Lou Reed unravels his life, both personal and professional, and talks with Costello about his appreciation of various genres of music, his rise and plateau as a performer, and the process behind writing, weaving and creating a song. He's later joined by somewhat eccentric collaborator and downcast Diving Bell and the Butterfly filmmaker Julian Schnabel (albeit to the slight, thankfully brief detriment of the episode).
• The Police: The only uncomfortable episode of Spectacle is actually one of its best. The discomfort comes courtesy of Police drummer Stewart Copeland; an outspoken flake who earns a solo sit-down with Costello followed soon thereafter by a group session with bandmates Sting and Andy Summers. Costello grants Sting a solo interview of his own (as well as the most attention), but Copeland is more interested in bathing in the spotlight than in discussing much of merit. The group session is nothing short of awkward, and Sting shifts in his seat as often as Copeland interrupts whoever speaks. Still, it's a fascinating episode that gives Costello the chance to investigate the sometimes volatile dynamics of a band, the danger of surging egos, and the paths individual artists can pursue after a band separates (or reunites and beginning touring again, as is the case with The Police).
• Smokey Robinson: Miracles frontman and successful solo R&B and soul artist Smokey Robinson provides a nice breather from Copeland, delving into his five decades as a musician, singer/songwriter and record producer, reminiscing about the glory days of Motown, and his impressions of the industry as a whole. He spends more time looking back than forward, but his outlook and reflections are most welcome. His rousing performance of "You've Really Got A Hold on Me" with Costello and the Imposters helps, of course.
• Rufus Wainwright: Born to folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, Rufus Wainwright pulls back the curtain on his complex childhood, pulls few punches when it comes to elaborating on his family's dysfunction, describes the events that led him to use meth, and explains how such painful experiences changed the course of his life and career as a singer and musician. He also reflects on his status in the gay community, allowing Costello to question whether artists influence society or vice versa.
• Jakob Dylan, Jenny Lewis and She & Him: Costello turns his attention to the progeny of fame with ex-Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan (son of icon Bob Dylan), Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward of She & Him, and Rilo Kiley rocker and solo artist Jenny Lewis. Is success guaranteed or more difficult when one is raised in the bright lights of show business? How do children of celebrities and entertainers forge their own identities? Is it even possible, or will they forever be compared to their parents? Costello aims to find out and joins the musicians in a number of performances.
• Diana Krall and Sir Elton John: Guest host Elton John indulges in a breezy conversation with Costello's wife, singer and pianist Diana Krall. But while it follows Costello's format and expounds upon his first-season themes, it's the lone episode that left me dissatisfied. Costello pops up near the end of the interview, just in time for a triple-threat performance with Krall and John, but it's a bit too little, a bit too late. That being said, it only pales in comparison to other episodes of Spectacle and is still well worth watching.
• Herbie Hancock: Jazz musician Herbie Hancock does more than fill the seat of a piano; he makes it an equal participant in the interview and lets his fingers do some of the talking. He also helms one of the series' best episodes, diving into the history of jazz, rhythm and funk, launching into song without notice and infusing his already magnetic interview with wit and charm. His is the most freeform chat and, like jazz itself, the most delightfully unpredictable.
• Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones and John Mellencamp: With so many singer/songwriters from so many walks of life, you'd think Costello would have to short change one or another. Not so. Spectacle's host and mastermind hones in on the one thing that's driven Western music more than anything else to date: the guitar. Part jam session, part history lesson, part advanced class, this episode is bold in its approach and breathtaking in its balance.
• James Taylor: Whether you love "Fire and Rain" or loathe "Carolina in my Mind," adore the Grammy Award-winning singer and guitarist or cringe whenever his songs invade your satellite radio, James Taylor is a Rock & Roll powerhouse who, if nothing else, deserves an hour on Costello's stage. Unspooling his young life, the soft-spoken, sweet-natured artist discusses his childhood, his family dynamic, his struggles and his eventual breakthrough as a performer, ultimately painting a picture of professional success saving a man from himself.
• Renée Fleming: Last but not quite least, famed singer and American soprano Renée Fleming delivers an anecdotal account of a surprisingly amusing life on the opera circuit, the strenuous vocal techniques her powerful singing requires, and the many sacrifices an artist makes to vault to the top of their profession. But it isn't all opera. Fleming performs a variety of songs and Costello connects several dots between genres of music most would assume have next to nothing in common.

My only complaint? Costello seems a tad distracted on occasion, glancing off camera (presumably at his producers or a timeclock), shuffling his cards and clipboard, and fidgeting in his seat. It isn't distracting per se -- and certainly doesn't affect the quality of his interviews or performances -- but it's clear he's still working to find his grove as a host. It all but disappears in later episodes, and suggests Season 2 will be even better. With guests like U2, Bruce Springsteen and Ray LaMontagne (whose "Till the Sun Turns Black" is one of the best albums in recent memory), I can only hope Costello's second season will earn a Blu-ray release as well.

Elvis Costello: Spectacle Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Spectacle's first season continues to satisfy courtesy of a fully capable 1080i/AVC-encoded video presentation; one that proves more than adequate when it comes to the single-small-stage task at hand. Colors are bright and beautiful, and never seem garish or oversaturated. Skintones are exceedingly lifelike, black levels are commendable, and contrast is both strong and stable throughout. Detail is commendable as well. While fine textures aren't as perfectly resolved as they could be, I suspect Video Service Corp's encode is a perfectly faithful representation of its broadcast source. Object definition is crisp and clean (without the help of too much edge enhancement), facial and fabric textures are fairly impressive for a 1080i affair, and softness only crops up when Spectacle's cameras survey the awe-struck studio crowd (even then, any reduction in clarity traces back to the fact that the audience members are sitting in relative darkness). Moreover, artifacting, banding and other major distractions are held at bay, and minor aliasing and errant noise are the only issues worth noting. Fans of the series will be pleased.

Elvis Costello: Spectacle Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Video Service Corp's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track provides an incredibly convincing experience that drops the listener in the middle of Costello's audience. Rear speaker activity isn't aggressive by any means, but it creates an authentic studio environment in which every sound -- regardless of whether it originates from a person, piano, drum or acoustic guitar -- bounds across the soundfield believably. Directionality is reserved but refined, pans are silky smooth, and dynamics are lively and engaging to say the least. More importantly, voices are crystal clear (regardless of whether a guest is speaking or singing), lyrics and any accompanying instruments are smartly prioritized in the mix, and the entire experience leaves a subtle but lasting impact. Is any of it going to blow Rock & Roll purists away? Not exactly. A small studio talk show is never going to have the sort of finely tuned sonics and balanced acoustics necessary to ideally showcase such eclectic performances. But that isn't Costello's point, is it? Spectacle sounds fantastic and, unreasonable expectations aside, should thrill anyone with an appreciation for the artists and their music.

Elvis Costello: Spectacle Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

More than an hour of supplemental content is included with Spectacle's first season release -- 45-minutes of backstage interviews with Elton John, Sting, Rufus Wainwright, Smokey Robinson, Rosanne Cash and Costello himself, as well as 17-minutes of bonus performances featuring "Ballad of a Well Known Gun," "No More Tear Stained Makeup," "Purple Haze" and "Beginning to See the Light" -- all of which warrants attention.

Elvis Costello: Spectacle Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't overlook Spectacle, toss it on the bottom of your Amazon Wish List, or assume it's a back-patting variety show. Costello's series is as engrossing as it is extensive, as entertaining as it is educational. Don't pass it by... especially when its Blu-ray release is as good as this one. With a high-quality video presentation, an immersive DTS-HD Master Audio track and an hour of backstage interviews and bonus performances, it's worth the price of admission (and then some). If you have any love of music whatsoever, add Spectacle's first season to your cart and discover the critically acclaimed series so many others already have.