Almost Blue (song)

"Almost Blue" is a song by Elvis Costello that appears on the 1982 album Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It is said to be inspired by Chet Baker's version of the song "The Thrill Is Gone". Baker closed the circle by recording the song for Let's Get Lost (1988), a Bruce Weber documentary film about Baker's life. Baker also performed the song at concerts and it was recorded for his live album Chet Baker in Tokyo (recorded 1987, released posthumously 1988).

Covers

"Almost Blue" has also been performed by:

• Chet Baker (Chet Baker in Tokyo, 1988)
• Kate Dimbleby (Good Vibrations, 1998)
• Jimmy Scott (Holding Back the Years, 1998)
• Gwen Stefani at AT&T's Stormy Weather benefit concert (1998)
• The Reputation (The Reputation, 2002)
• Everything but the Girl (Like the Deserts Miss the Rain, 2003)
• Alison Moyet (Voice, 2004)
• Diana Krall (The Girl in the Other Room, 2004)
• Judy Wexler (Dreams and Shadows, 2008)

Films

The song is used as the main theme and plot device for the 2000 Italian film Almost Blue.

There is another film of the same name starring Michael Madsen, but although it is about a jazz musician, it does not feature the song in the soundtrack.

Also used in the movie Georgia as a showcase for the character played by Jennifer Jason Leigh.

External Links

• Song lyrics, Elvis Costello & The Attractions: Almost Blue, LyricWikia.