Elvis Costello @ Barrowland, Glasgow, September 3 2002

Tony Gaughan, dailyrecord.co.uk, Sep 6 2002

ELVIS COSTELLO may be riding on the crest created by critically acclaimed new album, When I Was Cruel, and he may be backed by his tightest band (The Imposters) since his Attractions.

But neither of these attributes could save him from the fact that for the first hour of this mammoth gig, his mic wasn't wired properly.

Thankfully, during a semi-acoustic interlude Costello himself realised the problem and the gig was saved.

Once you could hear Costello's voice, you realised anew what intensely emotional musical power it has.

Title track When I Was Cruel is a deep, dark sonorous piece of introspection, while Alibi once again illustrated Costello's gift for acerbic wit.

With a back catalogue stretching out over 25 years, Elvis could afford to pepper this two-hour set with classics; Shipbuilding, Watching The Detectives and A Good Year For The Roses were just some of the memories evoked.

But it was when the gentle strains of Alison - accompanied by the massed voices of Barrowland - ended the night you realised that his aim may falter occasionally but his heart is true.

Thanks to John Foyle