Elvis Costello urges fans not to buy his own Christmas boxset
Veteran artist Elvis Costello has urged his fans to avoid buying his reissued boxset of “The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook” – as it is over priced.
In a bizarre move the singer is instead imploring his fans to go out and buy a boxset from the “far superior” Louis Armstrong instead.
Costello made the request on his official website under the headline ‘Steal This record’ where he wrote: “This beautifully designed compendium contains all manner of whimsical scribblings, photographs and cartoons, together with some rock and roll music and vaudevillian ballads.
“Unfortunately, we at www.elviscostello.com find ourselves unable to recommend this lovely item to you as the price appears to be either a misprint or a satire.”
Denying that this was a marketing stunt Costello claims his unorthodox move is a reaction to the pricing policy of his label, Hip-O-Records, which has prompted Costello to fight for his fans rights.
The boxset includes a CD, DVD, vinyl LP, hardcover book and an autographed commemoration card – all for the princely sum of $200. It goes on sale on December 6.