May 31, 2006 -Set List- The Sharpest Thorn Freedom for the Stallion What Do You Want this Girl to Do? The River in Reverse Ascension Day Whose Gonna Help Brother Get Further? Nearer To You Wonder Woman -Encore- International Echo The Greatest Love Yes We Can -Elvis Costello Official Site 　　http://www.elviscostello.com/ -Mika Nakashima Official Site 　　http://www.mikanakashima.com/ The River In Reverse [w/ DVD, Limited Edition] Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint Collaborative album between Elvis Costello and New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint features a number of new songs by Costello and covers of traditional New Orleans standards for a total of 14 tracks. . . . Sold Out CD | 2006/05/27 | 2667yen Extra Points Offered All Hands Togeter Mika Nakashima Mika Nakashima's follow up to the single "Cry No More" features a bluesy new number going out to the hearts of the people who suffered through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Features backup perfor . . . In Stock at Supplier:Usually ships in 2-4 days CD | 2006/06/07 | 1165yen Extra Points Offered

"You can't explain music through words. You have to listen to it to discover how you feel."

It's hard to describe an album or sound with words because everybody takes away something different from a listening. For exactly that reason, I wanted everyone to experience the show with her own ears and hearts after I witnessed the Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint showcase.

Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint released their collaborative album "The River in Reverse" on May 27, 2006. Focusing on both new songs written by Elvis Costello and classics from the Allen Toussaint catalog, the "River in Reverse" includes 14 tracks total. Before each artist set off on their own Japanese tour, the two joined together at Shinagawa's Gloria Chapel for a one-night-only, media-only showcase concert on May 31.

MC Peter Barakan pierced the silence with the magestic phrase, "This is a church so originally this was a place for sermoning and not talking, however for this show I'll be your MC for the evening," kicking off the show. First, Allen Toussaint appeared with applause then walked down the central walkway of the church. You could say that Toussaint is the man who brought New Orleans to the center of the jazz world--he's a big name in a world of big names.

Next to appear was special guest Mika Nakashima whose new charity single "All Hands Together" released on June 7 features Toussaint as a special guest musician. Joined by a gospel chorus, Nakashima and band broke into "All Hands Together" with Allen Toussaint playing live piano accompanyment. The single has the sort of chorus that stays in your head. "All Hands Together" can turn sadness and pain into hope and make your heart dance.

Next came a cover of Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" featuring creamy vocals from Mika Nakashima and pleasant piano from Allen Toussaint. With the romantic echoes still crossing the church, Nakashima left the stage.

After losing so much in New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina, Allen Toussaint said the following: "Hurricane Katrina completely destroyed New Orleans. I was astonished to lose my piano and so many other important things. But when people undergo hardship they only have two options: to see the depths they can fall or to pick themeselves back up. A lot of things have happened to me, but I've made the decision to remain hopefull and move on with my life. That's how I was able to make this album with Elvis Costello. I'm most proud of this release."

I couldn't have imagined that the tone of a piano and the smile of a man who hasovercome so much could move me so greatly. Sure, music often moves its listener, but few are the artists that can bring their listeners instantly to tears. The Japanese word for music has the original meaning "to enjoy sound." There are unimaginable tragedies occuring throughout our world, and perhaps as a result, we are deluged in more sad songs than happy songs. However, the melodies that resulted from this person who has overcome losing so much could bring a smile to even the most distraught of faces.

After two songs from Mika Nakashima, the audience was greeted to the star of the evening as Elvis Costello began his session with Toussaint. The album track "The Sharpest Thorn" served as a prolog to the show, showcasing Costello's persuasively strong voice and Toussaint's charming piano tone. As the two artists strengths came together I felt I needed nothing else. Towards the end of the song Costello jumped off the stage and handed the mike to the audience, singing unamplified to the hall--the man was overflowing with energy and self.

Next came "Freedom for the Stallion" Seeing Toussaint perform I thought, "Allen Toussaint plays more than music, he's able to express his raw human emotions in song." His grin tempered the atmosphere of the room, instilling the audience with courage as though he were saying there was more than pain in the future--there's hope and light.

Elvis Costello performed live guitar accompanyment to the fourth song on the setlist, album title track "The River in Reverse" Aside from its literal meaning, the title of this song also points to the importance of sympathy between humans.

Experiencing the full eleven songs--including three encores--of this special showcase concert, I really felt that "The River in Reverse" was an album steeped in honest love. To tell the truth, I'm not sure if I've ever encountered an album that made me feel love this intense. There might not be a magic spell to make the people of this suffering world happy, but if there was I'd have to say it was the honest love that flows through this album. I'm sure people who have heard the Japanese-edition-only bonus track "The Greatest Love" will agree.

The curtain closed while the audience was still overwhelmed with emotion. Whether you're a lover of music or a lover of humanity, I'm sure you'll find "The River in Reverse" a masterpiece.

(Text: Isoyama. Translation: Szkoropad)