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This song was on Elvis Costello’s masterpiece ‘King Of America’ album which came out in 1986.  On this record Elvis Costello used musicians Ron Tutt (drums) Jerry Scheff (bass) and James Burton (guitar). All three also played in Elvis Presley’s live band from 1970-1977.  James Burton, the man with the Pink Paisley Telecaster guitar, was also a member of ‘The Hot Band’- – who not only backed up Elvis Presley live, and in the studio, beginning in 1969, but he also backed up Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris and Merle Haggard.  Elvis Costello recorded this at a live session at the Sound Factory in Hollywood.  Jimmy Cliff and the ‘Engine Room’ recorded in the same studio for Jimmy’s ‘Rebirth’ album.  When I was producing the Jimmy Cliff record last year, I couldn’t help but think about ‘King Of America’, and how T Bone Burnett had all those guys play live in the studio, and how all those “engine room” tracks we did, were done live in that same fantastic old room.

“On tv they prosecute anyone who’s exciting” is one of the strongest Elvis Costello lyrics ever.

Tim Timebomb – Vocals, Guitar

Kevin Bivona – Mandolin, Melodica, B3,  Rhodes, Acoustic Bass, Percussion

Mark Switzer – Banjo