Quote

I can write orchestrations, but I can't sight-read music and play at the same time. I don't have enough facility.

Elvis Costello

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Elvis Costello
Age: 69
Born: 1955
Born: August 25
Composer
Guitarist
Record Producer
Singer-Songwriter
London
England
Declan Patrick MacManus
Declan Patrick Aloysius MacManus
Declan MacManus
Play
Enough
Writing
Orchestration
Time
Facility
Sight
Read
Write
Music

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There's so many people to see. So many people to check up on and add to your collection.
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And over the last ten years, after my work with the Brodsky Quartet, I had the opportunity to write arrangements for chamber group, chamber orchestra, jazz orchestra, symphony orchestra even.
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When you work with new people, I think that it throws all of the matters into relief, because you have to explain yourself every time. It's like crossing a new border. They want to see your documents.
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[Commercial radio] is owned by one or two corporations now, and they're not in the music business. They're in the advertising business.... So let's not kid ourselves. If you want to hear music, go buy a guitar.
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When in doubt, play track 4 - it is usually the one you want.
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People tend to repeat the same quotes at me that I said when I was 23. And of course, you say things then, and sometimes they're ill-advised.
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There was not a lot of rock n roll in the house. Our parents didnt think it was very groovy, and I tend to agree with them. If you grew up with Charlie Parker, Bill Haley wasnt very hip.
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You must hold on to the sort of finger-painting aspect of music. That's something I learned, particularly from listening to Neil Young. Tom Waits is another one, because Tom's music is incredibly sophisticated and beautifully arranged, but he's using a toolbox that's unlike anybody else's.
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Oh I used to be disgusted and now I try to be amused. But since their wings have got rusted, you know, the angels wanna wear my red shoes.
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Though the passion still flutters and flickers, it never got into our knickers.
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Certain songs have been written years apart, but they have a natural continuity to my mind.
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Sometimes I write notes that I have difficulty singing.
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Don't tell me you don't know what love is When you're old enough to know better.
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And obviously, when I started out, I had a little bit more curiosity than some, and went seeking out the original artists, or in some cases searching up country music.
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The truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark. It scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark.
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Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal. I'd still own the film rights and be working on the sequel.
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I've never felt British. I'm just not interested in national identity. I don't know why.
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They say you better listen to the voice of reason But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treason. So you had better do as you are told. You better listen to the radio.
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It's a dangerous game that comedy plays. Sometimes it tells you the truth sometimes it delays it.
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I mistrust these people in music industry who can be everybody. This is where technology dictates to them. I mistrust that, that in somehow the chips capture the soul of a player, that's patent nonsense.
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