In a concert filled with Orbison classics, “The Comedians” is an outlier. It was written by Elvis Costello and released on Costello’s 1984 album, Goodbye Cruel World.
Orbison recorded a cover of “The Comedians” but hadn’t released it at the time of his 1987 all-star Black & White Night concert. Two years later, Orbison was gone, but “The Comedians” made its debut posthumously on Orbison’s final album, Mystery Girl.
Roy’s 1987 performance remains the definitive version, however. Bruce takes a backing guitar role on it, and Elvis Costello actually appears as a backing vocalist. So is it a cover or a team-up? You decide.
The Comedians
First performed: September 30, 1987 (Los Angeles, CA)
Last performed: September 30 ,1987 (Los Angeles, CA)
© February 22, 2018
