Elvis Costello has given fans a new preview of his forthcoming box set, King of America & Other Realms. The British singer/songwriter has made available a previously unreleased live performance of the Waylon Jennings song “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line” as an advance digital track.
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Costello’s revved-up rendition of Jennings’ 1968 country hit was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in London in January 1987. The show featured Elvis accompanied by a backing group dubbed The Confederates that included two members of Elvis Presley’s TCB Band—guitarist James Burton and bassist Jerry Scheff—as well as acclaimed drummer Jim Keltner, longtime Hall & Oates bassist T-Bone Wolk, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench. All of those musicians except Tench also played on Costello’s 1986 King of America album.
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One full CD of the multi-disc King of America & Other Realms box set is devoted to the Royal Albert Hall concert. The disc features 17 previously unreleased performances, and includes renditions of several songs from King of America. It also features versions of tunes by various American songwriters and artists Costello admired. These included Allen Toussaint, Sonny Boy Williamson, Mose Allison, Ray Charles, Jesse Winchester, and Buddy Holly, and the aforementioned Jennings.
Costello’s live cover of “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line” also is included on a pared-down two-CD version King of America & Other Realms (more details about that below).
Jennings recorded “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line” for his 1968 album Only the Greatest. The tune, which was written by Jimmy Bryant, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
About the King of America & Other Realms Box Set
The King of America & Other Realms collection will be released on November 1, and can be pre-ordered now. The six-CD Super Deluxe box set focuses on Costello’s King of America album, while also delving into his lifelong passion for and ongoing fascination with American music.
The box set features a total of 97 tracks, many of which are previously unreleased. The collection’s centerpiece and first disc features a newly remastered version of King of America, Costello’s 10th studio album.
The second disc includes demos, outtakes, and other tracks associated with the King of America sessions. The third CD features the previously mentioned 1987 Royal Albert Hall performance. The final three discs of the package offer a deep dive into Elvis’ love of Americana. They include a handful of new tunes, a variety of collaborations and rarities, and songs recorded at studios in the U.S. for several of his albums over the years.
King of America & Other Realms comes packaged with a 57-page booklet. It includes a new 35-page essay penned by Costello, illustrations, and variety of rare photos.
Other Versions of the Reissue
King of America & Other Realms also will be available as a two-CD set featuring the remastered King of America album and a disc of highlights from the box set. In addition, a vinyl LP version of the remastered King of America will be released on standard black vinyl and limited-edition gold-nugget vinyl.
About King of America
King of America was a musical departure for Costello, featuring a collection of mostly folk- and country-influenced songs. The album was co-produced by Elvis and T Bone Burnett, and recorded in Los Angeles.
King of America peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard 200 and No. 11 on the U.K. albums chart. The album included a cover of the 1965 Animals hit “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” Other standout tunes on the album include “Brilliant Mistake” and “Indoor Fireworks.”
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