What better country is there than Britain to hail from to able to intepret American country music? The mother country is where much of southern culture originated, including it's musical heritage. Wales and West Virginia are more alike than most people care to realize. To me it's a natural. It is not uncommon to see Merle Haggard songs on jukeboxes throughout the rural counties of the U.K. Elvis Costello's "Almost Blue" ranks right up there with the splendid work of his fellow countryman, such as the "Muswell Hillbillies" by the Kinks and much of the c&w that the Rolling Stones and Faces produced circa 1969-72. So I wish Costello fans would lay off this nonsense about this supposed rocker "experimenting" in Nashville. This album is on a more emotional level than most and seems at times uncomfortably personal in the song selection. That's what makes it like classic country to me. It gives you a chill right up your spine at certain moments. A pure delight. Billy Sherrill, the producer, really tries to make it sound like a George Jones album from the early sixties, cornpone and all. That's the way country sounded before the big hats of today. His version of "Success" and "Color of the Blues" is worth the price admission. You can tell that Costello listened to this music in England as a young lad and it made a deep impression. Great first country album for the unintiated.

I will not lie. I grew up on country music. I use to love it. But after hearing the sound mold into something hideous such as The Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill I just lost all interest in listenin' to what they claim is country music. Elvis Costello, has done basically every type of music you can think of. This is his reworking of country music and let me tell you. it's country alright...but it's Costello for a country. everyone will admit Elvis doesn't have the right 'voice' for country music but he still succeeds. some songs on here are a bit too 'twangy' for my taste and that's the reason for the 4 stars. but it doesn't matter when or where, Elvis is excellent. he can always make you laugh, cry, break something, or just relax. So I say if you have no interest what so ever in country music...I'd stay away from this. But if you like Elvis and you're flexible...go for it.

Elvis? Country? Thats right! And what a Country record it is. 'Psycho' alone makes this album worth owning. I for one think Rock n Roll players play country music better than most country singers. Elvis has definitly done his homework. Covering everyone from Hank Williams and Patsy Cline to Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Bros. This album is not only a masterpiece, it is a history book on real CLASSIC country music. Thanks Elvis for having the guts to do something different........... like wearing your influences on your sleeve.

(This review is based on the shorter, original CD)

I don't know much about country music, but I know when I want to hear "poor me" music, I turn to this CD. I've always been a big Elvis fan and was looking for another in the ilk of his first three. This one disappointed me at first, but it got under my skin and now it's one of my favorites.

The only times I don't like Elvis is when his music seems uninspired and he's just cranking it out, especially in the writing. I think every album/CD since (and including) Trust has had some of that. Since Almost Blue is all covers, I think it allowed Elvis to concentrate on singing songs he obviously loves.

I'd rather have this off-beat "weird" CD than one of his later inconsistent ones. I like every song on it.

Leave it to a bloke from England to make one of the best real country albums of the past thirty years!

I've been a fan of Costello from his first album on, and even though my favorite is the punk-ish "This Year's Model", "Almost Blue" really makes this Texas boy smile...

Awesome players. Fabulous songs. And one of the great singers. How could anyone not love this album?

I for one wish Elvis would do another one of these...