Last month, President Obama awarded Paul McCartney the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. And then the concert (aired last night on PBS) began. Among the highlights was Elvis Costello singing “Penny Lane” with a member of the President’s United States Marine band playing the piccolo trumpet. It’s a downright wonderful version. You can watch the entire program online here.
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Elvis brings a suitably whimsical touch to the song, so appropriate considering it’s central theme of memories of childhood. After a second watch I found myself thinking of Val Doonican, a Irish born light entertainment singer who was popular on U.K./Irish tv in the 1960s/70′s…..maybe I’m going a little bit mad
It’s a lovely version. That appears to be a cornet, not a piccolo BTW.
i’m so glad open culture praises 1st class artists like Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan, they deserve all the attention they can get in these modern times!
Err, that’s piccolo *trumpet*. But great find, thanks so much for sharing!