Watch Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...

Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... is a captivating and musical talk show hosted by the legendary British punk rocker and songwriter Elvis Costello. In each episode, Costello invites some of the most influential artists and musicians of our time to join him on stage for intimate conversations about their craft, their inspirations, and their life journeys. He then performs and collaborates with them in a unique and organic way that blends their styles, genres, and personalities.

The show premiered on the Sundance Channel in December 2008 and ran for two seasons, producing a total of 20 episodes. It was taped in front of a live studio audience at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City, which added to the show's energy and warmth. The set design and lighting were minimalistic, but elegant, featuring a large screen that displayed vintage photos and videos of the guests and their work, as well as Costello's own sketches and notes.

What sets Spectacle apart from other talk shows or music documentaries is its hybrid format that combines interviews, live performances, and jam sessions in a way that feels spontaneous and improvisational. Costello is not just a host, but also a musician, a storyteller, and a fan, who engages his guests with wit, empathy, and curiosity. He draws out their personal stories and artistic insights, and then challenges them to perform together in unexpected ways that reveal new facets of their talent and creativity.

Some of the most memorable moments of the show include:

- Bono and The Edge of U2 joining Costello on stage for an acoustic rendition of "Pump It Up" that turned into a cover of The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash"
- Bruce Springsteen and Costello trading verses and harmonies on a medley of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison songs
- Smokey Robinson and Costello discussing the origins of Motown and then singing a duet of Robinson's classic "The Tracks of My Tears"
- James Taylor and Costello comparing their songwriting methods and then performing a mashup of Taylor's "Fire and Rain" and Costello's "Watching the Detectives"
- Lou Reed and Costello jamming on a Velvet Underground song and then recording a new song on the spot using a vintage drum machine and a guitar pedal.

Other guests who appeared on Spectacle include Elton John, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Levon Helm, Herbie Hancock, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, and The Police. Each episode also featured a segment called "The Spectacular Spinning Songbook," where Costello invited random audience members to spin a giant wheel with song titles and perform a request.

Overall, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... is a must-watch show for anyone who loves music, art, and human connection. It showcases the power of collaboration, the richness of diversity, and the depth of passion that drives artists to create and share their vision with the world. Costello's intelligence, humor, and talent as both a host and a musician make him a perfect guide for this journey into the heart and soul of music.