Almost Blue (song)
"Almost Blue" is a song recorded by English group Elvis Costello and the Attractions from their sixth studio album, Imperial Bedroom (1982).
Unanimously approved by music critics, "Almost Blue" was noted for being a highlight on Imperial Bedroom; Emerick's production on the track was also singled out by reviewers, who acclaimed his "aftermath" approach towards its composition.
The song was covered by several performers, notably Chet Baker in 1987, Gwen Stefani in 1998, and by Costello's wife Diana Krall for her seventh studio album, The Girl in the Other Room (2004).
[10] Timothy and Elizabeth Bracy from Stereogum highlighted Emerick's contributions to the track in their article ranking Costello's albums "from worst to best".
[17] At a 1998 benefit concert for the Walden Woods Project in Concord, Massachusetts, ska musician Gwen Stefani sang it alongside a jazz orchestra.
[22][23] Costello's wife, Canadian singer Diana Krall, recorded a cover of "Almost Blue" for her seventh studio album, The Girl in the Other Room (2004).
An accompanying music video to Krall's version was created and released in 2004, and eventually uploaded onto her official Vevo account on October 6, 2009.
[25] In her review of the video's inclusion on the aforementioned album, Shackleton mentioned the "wintry outdoor scenes from Diana's native Vancouver Island" as a highlight.
[30] Agreeing, BBC Music's Kathryn Shackleton appreciated Krall's "sultry and raw" vocals,[26] which Creative Loafing's Hal Horowitz called "beautifully muted".
[32] Despite appreciating Costello's version in a previous review, Wolk from Slate disapproved of her edition and evident genre change, preferring her "pre-rock ballad standards" to her current material.
