In the mid-1980s, Elvis Costello first teamed up with acclaimed producer/musician T Bone Burnett as The Coward Brothers. Under the moniker, the duo recorded and released a one-off single and touring together. The two artists then went on to collaborate on a variety of projects, including Costello’s Burnett-produced 1986 album King of America.
Now, Costello and Burnett have reunited as The Coward Brothers for an upcoming three-part scripted audio series written by Elvis and a companion studio album. The series, titled The True Story of The Coward Brothers, will premiere on November 21 on Audible.
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Directed by Christopher Guest of This Is Spinal Tap fame, the series is an original musical-comedy presentation. It tells the history of the fictional pop duo of Henry and Howard Coward.
More About the Audio Series
The series will feature Costello and Burnett as the sibling duo, as they are interviewed by a radio host portrayed by This Is Spinal Tap’s Harry Shearer. The brother will recount the highs and lows of their ill-fated music career. These include their manager duping them out of their royalties and convincing them, to fake their own deaths.
The series also will feature appearances by Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul), Stephen Root (Office Space, Barry), and Kathreen Khavari (Big Little Lies). In addition, The True Story of The Coward Brothers will feature a variety of original songs that also will appear on the aforementioned companion album.
About The Coward Brothers Album
The album, simply titled The Coward Brothers, also will be released on November 21. The record will feature 20 original tunes that will offer a look at the fictional brothers’ “forgotten hits and demos.”
A song called “Always” has been made available as an advance digital track from the album. Other tunes include such titles as “Pure Bubblegum,” “Like Licorice,” and “World Serious.”
The Coward Brothers will be released on CD, vinyl LP, as a digital download, and via streaming services. Limited-edition colored-vinyl variants also will be available. You can pre-order the album now.
About Costello’s Upcoming King of America & Other Realms Box Set
The recently announced expanded King of America reissue, King of America & Other Realms, includes many recordings on which Burnett collaborated with Costello. These include the two original 1980s Coward Brothers tracks and many songs recorded during the King of America sessions.
King of America & Other Realms, which can be pre-ordered now, will be released on November 1.
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