Hot as a Pistol, Keen as a Blade: Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint

Sporting the same lineup as found on 2006's The River in Reverse—a Grammy nominated collaboration between Elvis Costello (backed by the Imposters) and Allen Toussaint (backed by the Crescent City Horns) made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, this Montreal Jazz Festival concert serves up an often inspired though occasionally discordant meeting of rock ‘n' roll and New Orleans-style jazz. Of the 24 songs presented in the generous two-hour set, eight are from the aforementioned CD (combining new songs and Toussaint classics), including the title track, the angry “Broken Promise Land,” the moving “Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?”, the legendary anthem “Freedom for the Stallion,” and the lovely ballad “The Sharpest Thorn.” The remainder of the tunes are mostly Costello's mixed with a handful of Toussaint staples—such as the perennially popular “Yes We Can Can.” While the horn section perfectly complements Costello and his band on songs such as the jazzy “Clubland,” their contributions to Costello's early New Wave hits “Watching the Detectives” and “(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea” simply don't work. Still, this is very solid overall (presented in full-bodied Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo), with many wonderful moments, including Toussaint's lovely solo piano medley (of songs by Earl King, Professor Longhair, and one of his own), Steve Nieve's blistering keyboards on “Episode of Blonde,” and a rockin' version of “Fortune Teller” (popularized by the Rolling Stones, among others). DVD extras include the bonus song “Alison,” an interview with Costello and Toussaint, an in-studio performance of “Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?”, and Costello's text tour journal. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)