Wise Up Ghost was created when Elvis Costello was a guest on the American talk show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and Questlove, the drummer for house band The Roots, suggested a collaboration. Although both parties have completely different backgrounds, the idea appealed to Costello. The big deal was that both are open to a wide variety of music. Both Costello and The Roots have always put content
… before form. This time too. The hangover of Obama's administration is extensively drawn out. But more importantly, what kind of music does this collaboration produce? It's not hip hop, it's not rock'n'roll. Then what is it? Is it hippop? Pop music with a funky bass and a hard, sharp snare beat on the two. The Roots put down extremely brooding grooves with a tension curve that Wilhelm Tell can suck. Costello makes good use of this by following it carefully and not getting lost in melody. Whether his hardcore fans are happy with this is question two, but the fact is that Wise Up Ghost And Other Songs is a very daring experiment for both parties and because of the timelessness that is already manifesting itself, it will still be of great value years later. (AD) will still be of great value years later. (AD) will still be of great value years later. (AD)more
