When "Kojak Variety" was first released it was ignored by most EC fans and mentioned by critics as an example of a lack of inspiration on EC's part. Nothing could be further from the truth. While "Spike" and "Mighty As A Rose" demonstrated EC's diversity over the course of a single album, "Kojak" demonstrates where that inspiration originally came from. What's best about this reissue is the second disc included here. With thirty (!) remakes of classic contemporary and older rock 'n' roll gems, the second disc makes this the gem of the recent EC trio of reissues.

Covering Springsteen's "Brilliant Disguise" and a number of other songs to convince George Jones to tackle better material makes for great listening. It tells you 1) Who EC listens to and 2)How great he can be covering other people's definitive versions of their own songs. The gem here aside from "Brilliant Disguise" (which I had as a CD single)is the remake of Paul McCartney's little known gem "Step Inside Love". The song was written for Petula Clark but it sports one of McCartney's lush and innovative melodies. We're also treated to an alternate version of "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man", Arthur Alexander's "Sally Sue Brown", Van Morrison's "Full Force Gale", The Grateful Dead's marvelous "Ship of Fools" and a gem I had never heard before called "My Resistance is Low".

The liner notes are extensive and cover the sessions for the album as well as why EC decided to cover the material he did. Oh, and we finally find out where the enigmatic title comes from as well (there's even photographic evidence to back it up). A delightful covers album. While I've always liked "Almost Blue" (and the reissue has some delightful additional material as well), I've always been more of a rocker at heart. Here we get a glimpse into EC's heart full of rock 'n' roll and soul.

One of the best things about the prolific, complex Elvis Costello is that he is steeped in popular music. Some of his best records, from the Stax/Motown inspired Get Happy! to the Burt Bacharach collaboration Painted From Memory, wear their influences on their sleeves, but it's okay, because he's so creative and he loves the music so much. Sometimes, I think his encyclopedic knowledge causes his reach to exceed his grasp; he can be as great as his heroes, but not as great as ALL his heroes.

But no matter for this CD. "Kojak Variety," both the original album and the surprising, generous bonus CD, are relaxed cover versions of music by writers who've inspired him all his life, or whose talents he admires today. Paul McCartney. George Gershwin. Mose Allison. Gram Parsons. Holland-Dozier-Holland. Ray Davies. Jerry Garcia. Jesse Winchester. Bruce Springsteen. Bob Dylan. Van Morrison. Ray Noble. Paul Simon. And more. The first disc is just a remaster of the album that came out to little notice in 1995. It is unjustly neglected excellence, made especially so by the fantastic backing musicians whose collobarative arrangements are deeply enjoyable. It's an interesting combo--the avant guitarist Marc Ribot, but also the old-timer James Burton. Former attractions drummer Pete Thomas, but also session aces Larry Knechtel and Jim Keltner. It works great.

The second disk is not like most reissue/extra track packages, in that it is not outtakes, but other "cover" versions Costello produced under a variety of circumstances. The best music on the bonus disk--maybe the best music in the whole package--are the demos Elvis did of other people's songs in the style of George Jones, hoping to convince George Jones to boost his career by covering tunes like "Brilliant Disguise" by Springsteen or "Congratulations" by Paul Simon. These versions are even more relaxed and confident than what you find on the first disk. The rest of it is a mix of Irish music, jazzy stuff, and tunes he contributed to tribute albums for, among others, the Grateful Dead and Gram Parsons. It's all worth hearing.

If Costello's albums of original material ever start to seem too fussy or over-written, pull this disc out for some perspective.

The bonus disc on this album is really wonderful, quite possibly my favorite bonus disc of all of the Rhino reissues for Elvis Costello. It's an interesting collection of Elvis taste in music and his influences.

Elvis is not only a fantastic musician. He is a tremendous music fan. This fact really shines through on this recording. Not to mention some really raucous fretwork from fantastic guitarists, James Burton and Marc Ribot. These guys alone make this album worthwhile. Perhaps this album is for the mature Elvis fan. However, for a true fan to completely dismiss this album is nothing short of blasphemy in the Church of Elvis.

The song days blows my mind every time I hear it. If you love Elvis Costello this is a great set. It has a very classi sound. It oozes nostalgia.