Four Degrees of Elvis Costello - Who is the musician who links all others?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

Y'know, thinking about the ancient Kevin Bacon game, it occurred to me that I'd like to know (being bored and all) if there is a musician who fulfills the same role. Is there a musician who you can link most of the others to? I don't know who that person is, but if there is such a person, it's someone who's had a long and varied career in several genres. As a first attempt, I'll volunteer Elvis Costello. So, name a musician and we'll see if we can link them to EC within four degrees. (as the world of music is a little smaller and more incestuous than most, I think four degrees will be more fitting than six)

[Magrittes Pipe]

1. Dock Boggs

[Screaming Lord Byron]

5. I should specify living musicians.

I cop out easily.

[Magrittes Pipe]

6. Wuss.

Okay, then: Charles Manson.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

11. Easy. Charlie writes a song 'Never Learn Not To Love'

The Beach Boys cover the song.
EC covers a Beach Boys song 'Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)'

[Screaming Lord Byron]

39. Dock Boggs in two links. Ha!

Roger McGuinn covered 'Sugar Baby' for The Harry Smith Connection: A Live Tribute.

Roger McGuinn plays on EC's 'Spike'.

[GreenArrow]

2. how bout Elvis Presley?

.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

8. James Burton, Elvis Presley's guitar player plays on 'King of America'

[Bridget Burke]

23. James Burton played with Gram Parsons & Emmylou, as well.

Between those two you have links to most of West Coast Rock & Nashville.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

28. Yep. Maybe this theory holds some water.

[GreenArrow]

47. Ed Keuper

or Chris Bailey?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

49. Gotcha.

Nick Cave and Ed have covered each other's songs (No, Your Product and The Ship Song), Nick Cave and Elvis Costello both worked on Ute Lemper's CD 'Punishing Kiss'.

Nick Cave is the Australian nexus. You can link just about any antipodean act through Nick.

[GreenArrow]

50. heh heh

I figured you'd have that one cold.

Nice sig, BTW; I have the "Stranded" album, which is a stone cold killer, but never have heard "Eternally Yours."

[Screaming Lord Byron]

53. Then you have to get it, don't you?

It rocks a big one.

[GOPisEvil]

3. It used to be Julio Iglesias...

...he dueted with seemingly everyone on the planet.

[Bridget Burke]

20. Why did the chicken cros the road?

To record a duet with Willie Nelson!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

21. Both have covered Charles Aznavour's 'She'.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

4. Robert Fripp?

Todd Rungren?

I'll have to think about it....

[Screaming Lord Byron]

13. Robert Fripp worked with Brian Eno, who worked with Elvis Costello.

on 'My Dark Life' a song for the X-Files Soundtrack.
Todd covered 'Two Little Hitlers' by EC.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

19. You could connect Peter Gabriel through the Fripp link and then move on to

Phil Collins and on and on....

[Screaming Lord Byron]

22. T. Bone Burnett is a similar nexus. He's worked with everyone.

[demnan]

7. Bonnie Raitt

She once questioned his hmmmmm . . . anatomy? :eyes:

[SoFlaJet]

10. AND....

punched him in the mouth for calling Ray Charles a blind n-word-er

[Screaming Lord Byron]

14. No. That was Bonnie Bramlett.

[SoFlaJet]

16. was it?

I love 'em both

[Screaming Lord Byron]

15. Pete Thomas drummed for both.

[skooooo]

9. DYlan

[Screaming Lord Byron]

17. Costello supported Dylan on tour in 1996 for a few dates.

[Bridget Burke]

26. Dylan played on Doug Sahm's Atlantic album.

Sidemen included Mack Rebennack & Flaco Jiminez. Lots of connections there.

[Magrittes Pipe]

12. Al Hedges

[Screaming Lord Byron]

18. Al Hedges is currently stalking Elvis Costello.

[Magrittes Pipe]

34. Why on earth...

...would I stalk someone who left the sublime Cait O'Riordan for the banal Diana Krall? :shrug:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

35. For that very reason. You just can't let go.

That, and he stole your pants. Twice.

[Magrittes Pipe]

37. I don't know why, but he so likes smelling them.

[tigereye]

24. he's even played with you?

amazing. A bigger question might be with whom he has no associations.

Everything is about you, isn't it?

All I can say about this, Byron, since I'm not awake yet, is that if you go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame they explain how everyone is connected to everyone else. And they have a cool Elvis-planation section. Very cool interactive stuff. Anyway. Back to my coffee.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

25. Kinda like the Rock Mormons then? Kewl!

[tigereye]

29. that's pretty good Byron

well I meant too, that Al thinks everything is about him. Wait til he has progeny. Then he'll see! ;) After progeny you need to try to remember that everything at one time was about you.

The interactive exhibits are very cool, I think Slim Whitman and a reggae guy ( don't remember which), were two of the main connections for Elvis C. It was neat to see really young people checking out stuff that wasn't Brittney, etc.

[Magrittes Pipe]

36. I am an only child.

Everything IS about me.

[tigereye]

38. I am in trouble then!

since my son is also an only. We were of the "Oh my god, we forgot to have children" school. ;)

I myself am the oldest of five. Maybe that is why I have only one as well.

[XNASA]

27. Thom Yorke

I actually think I can link this one in 4, but I'll let you have a crack at it first.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

30. There's a few.

Radiohead supported James on tour, who worked with Brian Eno, who worked with EC.

Thom worked with PJ Harvey who appeared on a Kurt Weill tribute disc with EC.

Thom worked with Bjork who worked with the Brodsky Quartet who worked with EC.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

31. Also, Radiohead covered 'I'll Wear It Proudly' from King of America.

[XNASA]

32. Here's the one I was thinking of.....

EC to Eno to Ferry to Jonny Greenwood (played guitar on one song on Ferry's 'Frantic') to Yorke.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

33. Of course. You could also go the Velvet Goldmine route

on which various members of Radiohead cover Eno.

[tigereye]

40. Eno separation threads might also be interesting

Velvet Goldmine... does it make more sense if it's not 3AM when you watch it?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

41. Oh, I very much doubt that. But Eno is as good a linkee as Costello.

[mtnester]

42. Here is a Mick Jagger and EC link

"How I Spent My Strummer Vacation"
1402 DABF22
Original Airdate: 11/10/02

Episode of the Simpsons

OK, I could not resist a lame link that was not musical in any way, heck even David Gilmore and EC are linked musically

:)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

43. Both have recorded live albums at Toronto's El Mocambo club.

[XNASA]

44. That shouldn't count.

That's like saying, they both stayed at the Whitehall Hotel on separate occasions.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

45. Yeah, but not many people have recorded live discs at the same club.

Still, here's a better link.
EC was produced by T-Bone Burnett, who recorded with Ry Cooder, who recorded with the Rolling Stones.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

46. You can get from Costello to Joao Gilberto in three.

Chet Baker played on Elvis Costello's 'Shipbuilding', and played with Stan Getz. Stan Getz recorded with Joao Gilberto.

[XNASA]

48. How about......Steve Hillage.

Can you get from EC to Steve Hillage in 4???

[Screaming Lord Byron]

51. Steve Hillage recorded with and was produced by Todd Rundgren

Todd, of course is the Universal Nexus.
He covered EC's 'Two Little Hitlers', and played on Bowie's Lodger, with Eno.

[XNASA]

52. Al Jourgensen...

OK Mr. Smartypants. Let see you link EC to AJ.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

55. I was waiting for that one to come up.

Both have been on Arista records of course, but we want more meat, so....


William Burroughs contributed to Ministry's 'Just One Fix' single, and later appeared on two CD's that also featured Costello, one of them a Kurt Weill tribute, the other that ubiquitous X-Files soundtrack. Both have also recorded with Bill Frisell.

A big hand to another universal nexus, Mr Bill Burroughs.

[XNASA]

70. I can't find a Jourgensen-Frisell link.

And being lumped together on a complilation disc is a weak link.

How about this one:

Al to Vince Ely (Psyche Furs drummer who co-produced With Sympathy) to Todd (who produced the Furs 'Forever Now') to Eno to EC.

BTW, you can just replace Al's name with my own, and even I can be linked to EC.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

71. Sorry, Frisell worked with Burroughs. That could've been more clear.

That's a better link you've come up with there.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

72. Here's another one. Ministry remixed the Jesus and Mary Chain's

Reverence single. The Jesus and Mary Chain recorded with The Pogues' Shane McGowan, who was produced by EC.

[Khephra]

54. DEVO links to any band or singer that's ever done a video

Additionally, they've worked with Neil Young, so that adds a lot of links right there.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

58. Chuck Statler links Devo and Elvis Costello.

He directed videos for both.

[Khephra]

60. I'm impressed

:-)

[arbusto_baboso]

56. Okay, here's one might be a bit more difficult: Stuart Adamson.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

59. The link is The Pogues.

Big Country were produced by Steve Lillywhite, who produced The Pogues, who were produced by Elvis Costello.

[arbusto_baboso]

63. Color me officially impressed!

[RetroLounge]

57. Okay, how about The Monkees?

Hmmm. Give that a whirl...

RL

[Screaming Lord Byron]

61. James Burton played guitar for both.

[RetroLounge]

62. Damn, you're good!

How about Neil Sedaka?

RL

[Screaming Lord Byron]

64. Elvis recorded an album with Burt Bacharach.

Burt's wife Carole Bayer Sager recorded an album with Neil Sedaka. I believe Neil Sedaka has also recorded with Burt, but I can't confirm that.

[RetroLounge]

65. Hmmmm. Color Me Impressed.

Okay, how about Uriah Heep...

(Playing the same Hammond B3 Organ doesn't count :) )

RL

[Screaming Lord Byron]

66. OK. Tough one.

Uriah Heep covered Tin Soldier by the Small Faces on an EP in 1982. Small Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan played on the Rolling Stones CD Dirty Work, which featured Faces guitarist Ron Wood (the Faces being the reincarnation of the Small Faces). Steve Lillywhite produced Dirty Work, and also produced The Pogues, who were produced by Elvis Costello. Phew.

Have I mentioned I know nothing about Uriah Heep?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

67. I can get from Public Enemy to EC in two steps.

Public Enemy sampled Buffalo Springfield's For What It's Worth on He Got Game. For What It's Worth was written by Stephen Stills, who famously had the fist-fight/slanging match that ruined Costello's career stateside in '79.

[hatrack]

68. From EC to jazz pianist Bud Powell in only three steps

I know how. Does anyone else? ;-)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

69. Is the link Chet Baker?

[hatrack]

78. DINGDINGDINGDING!!!

Correctamundo! Check out the big brain on Screaming Lord Byron.

EC - Chet Baker - Charlie Parker - Bud Powell

[LTR]

73. Eric Clapton

I can do it in two.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

74. Played on the Beatles track 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'

with Paul McCartney, who wrote 'Veronica' with EC.

[LTR]

75. ding ding ding!

Actually, McCartney co-wrote half of Costello's "Mighty Like A Rose" album.

"My Brave Face" was another collaboration that appeared on one of McCartney's albums.

EC also helped out McCartney when he organized the Concerts For Kampuchea in 1979.

[LTR]

76. Marilyn Manson

[Screaming Lord Byron]

77. MM covered 'Sweet Dreams' by the Eurythmics.

EC appeared on the Eurythmics 1985 disc 'Be Yourself Tonight' on a duet with Annie Lennox.

[RetroLounge]

79. How about R.E.M.?

in how many steps?

RL

[Screaming Lord Byron]

80. REM worked with Billy Bragg, who worked with Bruce Thomas

of Elvis' backing band, The Attractions.

[NashVegas]

81. Richard Thompson

worked with Anton Fier
(who works with Golden Palominos of the many-spinning orbits,
including Syd Straw
whose neck was signed by Ella Fitzgerald)
who worked with the Feelies
whose later drummer, Stan,
worked with Luna
whose singer, Dean what's-his-face
was with Galaxie 500
who Liz Phair referenced on Exile in Guyville

worked with Fairport Convention (a whole host of people there)

worked with Mitch Froom
who worked with Crowded House, Soul Coughing, Suzanne Vega,
who also worked with Tchad Blake
who worked with Tom Waits
who worked with Keith Richards
and others.

and I'm sure many more could be found. Thompson's work the Golden Palominos ALONE could get him the prize.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

82. Yeah, he's a good one. Also worked with Nick Drake.

Which gets you John Cale, and a whole 'nother nexus.

[MikeG]

83. Elvis and Tom Snyder

Tom was one of the first to have Elvis on his talk show, back in the early 80's

[otohara]

84. Drummer Steve Gadd

I choose drummer Steve Gadd. I know he has played with everybody from Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Chic Corea, Rikki Lee Jones, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Striesand, Yusef Lateef, Richard Tee, Cornel Dupree, Phoebe Snow, Carly Simon, James Brown,Chuck Mangione, Manhatten Transfer, Dave Mathews, Paul McCartney, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler, Joe Cocker, Herb Alpert, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Spyro Gyra, Al Di Meola, Dizzy Gillespie and a ton of other jazz greats. And these are just the ones I can think of, I know he has played on literally hundreds and hundreds of records. I think you could probably get to anybody in rock, blues or jazz in four or less steps from Steve Gadd.

[Bridget Burke]

85. Of course, Nick Lowe was a running buddy...

Besides the obvious Brit connections, Nick was one of Johnny Cash's famous ex-sons-in-law*. Rodney Crowell & Marty Stuart were, too.

INCEST!

* Edited: Nick married Carlene Carter (daughter of June Carter & Carl Smith). Johnny Cash & June banned the word "step-daughter"--the girls each brought to their marriage were just considered daughters. But this takes us back to the Original Carter Family(!)

[Snow]

86. Okay - Clarence Treat. Clarence sings in the

Occidental/Foothills Master Chorale with me - we did Faure's Requiem last spring, next fall will do Beethoven's 9th, and with luck next spring Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil. Clarence is not your average symphonic chorus tenor, though - I'll bet you can link him.