The 13-episode season of Spectacle, the talk/performance series, kicks off with Elvis Costello and Elton exploring Elton's love and passion for many of the musicians who have had an impact on his life and career - from Leon Russell to Laura Nyro - with some candid and hilarious anecdotes along the way.

Elton sheds light on his 40 year working relationship with Bernie Taupin, and the show also includes an amusing exchange about Elvis and Elton's real and stage names. Plus, Elton at the piano spontaneously demonstrating styles and influences; Elvis covering a couple of Elton John classics; special musical guests Allen Toussaint and James Burton joining Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher of Elvis Costello's band The Imposters and Elton and Elvis's first ever televised performance together.

For an advanced flavour of the programme, check out these highlights from episode 1, such as when Elton talks about meeting Martha and the Vandellas, and realizing how influential artists at the time were grossly underpaid.

The best moments in Wednesday night's chat between Elvis Costello and Elton John, which are good enough to recommend the show for fans of both men, serve up small but sparkling musical pleasures.

Tonight's show kicks off "Spectacle: Elvis Costello With ..." a 13-week series in which Costello interviews a wide array of guests from Rosanne Cash and Smokey Robinson to a sax man named Bill Clinton.

John proves both a smart and a risky choice for the opening show. Smart because he's fun to listen to and he's got broad musical appeal. Risky because even though he's often elusive, he's anything but unknown.

There isn't much to the Elton John story that we haven't already heard, or if there is, we aren't hearing it tonight. His rise from an obsessed teenager to a flamboyant, self-indulgent and sometimes troubled international money machine and unstoppable hitmaker has been well documented.

 

Fortunately, this show makes even a lot of the old stories seem brighter, thanks largely to the style and skill of Costello.

Impressive as Costello was when he burst onto the scene 30 years ago among the new-wave minimalists, he has grown over the years. The music he has created and the musical associations he has joined would be enough by themselves, then on top of it he has found other ways to articulate and preserve the music, enriching it as he goes.

His interview style, at least with Elton, continues the minimalism. He throws out a thought or question, then shuts up. Good move, since the thoughts he does throw out - like how did his subject feel when Reginald Dwight became Elton John? - are economical and incisive.

He gets Elton talking at length about the influence of Laura Nyro and her song structures. He draws out a wonderful aside, which aging record collectors will love, about how British music fans always wanted the U.S. releases of popular albums because they had "the thicker cardboard," but that U.S. fans felt exactly the opposite.

Note to anyone under 35: Ask your parents.

The show focuses on the conversation, but Costello sings a couple of songs, including "Workin' in a Coal Mine" and a duet with Elton on David Ackles' "Down River."

This is particularly appropriate since Elton recalls how, on his first U.S. date in Los Angeles, he was mortified to discover he was billed over Ackles, who had always been one of his idols.

It's a solid rendition of a good song, which could also be said of John's interview here. Without Costello, it would be something less.

By the way, for those looking ahead to Bill Clinton, that's Dec. 17.

Read more: "Elton John a top opening act for Elvis Costello's new show" - http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/12/03/2008-12-03_elton_john_a_top_opening_act_for_elvis_c.html#ixzz0FWaotYQX&A