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Elvis Costello with the tables turned on SPECTACLE - being interviewed by actress Mary Louise Parker.

Van Morrison's His Band & the Street Choir was a template for Costello's first album. Morrison, in turn, has been overtly inspired by Ray Charles and Jackie Wilson, referencing both R&B stars in his lyrics.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Mary Louise Parker playing host to Elvis Costello on SPECTACLE.

Mary Louise is a music zealot who's been inspired by everything from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon to Rickie Lee Jones' Pirates. She has appeared in music videos by Bonnie Raitt, The Jayhawks and Charlie Mars.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello and Mary Louise Parker on SPECTACLE.

T Bone Burnett has produced three of Costello's records, including Secret, Profane & Sugarcane. In the '80's they teamed up as The Coward Brothers, covering influential tunes by George Jones and Tony Bennett.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello performs on SPECTACLE.

Costello was working an office job when he began writing songs. He was so inspired to document them, he used his allotted sick days to record his debut, My Aim is True. It was done in a mere 24 hours.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Mary Louise Parker playing host to Elvis Costello on SPECTACLE.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

The legendary Allen Toussaint at the piano on SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

One of rock's key cover albums was made by levon Helm and The Band in the early 1970's. Moondog Matinee revealed lots of influences, containing Allen Toussaint's "Holy Cow," as well as tunes by other New Orleans kings, Fats Domino and Clarence "Frogman" Henry.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello shares a laugh with Nick Lowe.

Country music icon Johnny Cash often kept an eye on a younger generation of influential writers. The Man in Black, who was Nick Lowe's father-in-law for a period, performed Lowe's "Without Love" and Costello's "The Big Light."

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello greets Richard Thompson backstage before the SPECTACLE taping.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis performs with guest, Richard Thompson.

Richard Thompson's influences stretch from ancient Celtic bagpipers to Buck Owens' country and western twang. In 2003, he made an album that accounted for 1000 years of pop tunes - containing everything from a 13th century hymn to Britney Spears' "Oops, I Did it Again."

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

SPECTACLE host Elvis Costello with Richard Thompson.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Special guest, Ray LaMontagne (who will appear on another episode of SPECTACLE later this season) joins Elvis Costello at the mic and Nick Lowe on guitar.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

The great Levon Helm at the drums on SPECTACLE.

The rustic sound of The Band's 1968 Music from Big Pink helped to move rock in a new direction. It ultimately influenced Eric Clapton to abandon the aggressive volume of his group Cream for a more gentle, rootsy approach.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Nick Lowe center stage on SPECTACLE.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Neko Case, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow and Ron Sexsmith center stage on Season 2, Episode 2 of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Host Elvis Costello with singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow on SPECTACLE.

She may be an extraordinary hit-maker, but activism has played a big part in Sheryl Crow's career. She's inspired a wealth of fans by participating in innumerable benefit concerts for research into autism, cancer, and green strategies.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Sheryl Crow at the mic on Season 2, Episode 2 of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

"Guitar Pull" Season 2, Episode 2 of SPECTACLE -- featuring Sheryl Crow.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Sheryl Crow chats with SPECTACLE executive producer, David Furnish backstage.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Sheryl Crow give a hand for her "Guitar Pull" co-star, Ron Sexsmith on Season 2, Episode 2 of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Ron Sexsmith at the mic during rehearsals for the "Guitar Pull" Episode of SPECTACLE.

Ron Sexsmith and Jesse Winchester are both masters of bittersweet emotions, so it makes sense that they performed on a tribute CD to the Prince of Canadian folkies, Gordon Lightfoot. Jesse updated Sundown. Ron did Drifters.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Soundcheck with Ron Sexsmith - on set for Season 2, Episode 2 of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Ron Sexsmith performs during the "Guitar Pull" Episode on Season 2 of SPECTACLE.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

The legendary Jesse Winchester on SPECTACLE.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Jesse Winchester discusses his music on Season 2 Episode 2 of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Jesse Winchester on Episode 2, Season 2 of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Host Elvis Costello welcomes Jesse Winchester to the SPECTACLE stage.

"Payday" is one of Jesse Winchester's most rockin' tunes. Though known for introspection, he's always adored electric guitar, and once fantasized about playing for Otis Redding. "I started out wanting to be [legendary R&B picker] Steve Cropper," he says.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

"Guitar Pull" on SPECTACLE with Jesse Winchester (L) and Neko Case (R).

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

The talented and beautiful Neko Case on SPECTACLE.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Neko Case performs on the "Guitar Pull" episode of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Neko Case in the hot seat on SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Neko Case at the mic on SPECTACLE.

Neko Case's hero, Harry Nilsson, made an iconic mark in two key films about New York. "Everybody's Talking" was the poignant theme to 1969s MIDNIGHT COWBOY, and "Jump Into The Fire" drove the manic conclusion of 1990s Goodfellas.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Jesse Winchester, Neko Case, Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow - center stage on SPECTACLE "Guitar Pull."

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello on set for an all new season of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH...

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello hosts U2's Bono and The Edge.

Although U2 is an Irish band, it has an English influence. Dave "The Edge" Evans was born in East London and Adam Clayton was born in Oxfordshire, England.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Host Elvis Costello center stage on SPECTACLE Season 2, Epsode 1 featuring Bono and The Edge of U2.

The inspiration for U2 came when Larry Mullen placed an ad in his school's bulletin board. Band auditions were held in the Mullen family's kitchen... and the rest is history!

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

SPECTACLE host Elvis Costello performs.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello with Imposters keyboardist, Steve Nieve, on set for SPECTACLE Season 2, Episode 1 featuring U2's Bono and The Edge.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello gets ready to bring guests Bono and The Edge to the SPECTACLE stage.

U2's relationship with Amnesty International inspired their Conspiracy of Hope Tour. The band's influence is widely felt worldwide, from projects with Greenpeace to the Chernobyl Children's Project.

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello performs with Bono, The Edge and The Imposters on SPECTACLE.

In 1994, Bono was thrilled to introduce one of his inspirations, Frank Sinatra, for a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Sinatra emotionally said of the speech, "that's the best welcome I've ever had."

Photo Credit: Ken Woroner

Elvis Costello center stage with Sir Elton John.

Elvis holds Q & A with Sir Elton John.

Sir Elton John

Sir Elton John at the piano.

Sir Elton John and Elvis Costello perform.

Sir Elton John on set.

Musician, singer and songwriter - Sir Elton John.

Elvis and Sir Elton John perform for the crowd.

Elvis Costello performs with Steve Nieve on accordion.

Elvis Costello with guests Julian Schnabel and Lou Reed backstage.

Elvis Costello performs with (from left) Tony Garnier on bass, Larry Campbell on mandolin, Steve Nieve on accordion and Jenny Scheinman on violin.

Elvis Costello

Host Elvis Costello with the legendary Lou Reed.

Elvis Costello with musician Lou Reed and artist/filmmaker Julian Schnabel

Elvis, Lou Reed and Julian Schnabel on the set.

Lou Reed at the mic with Elvis looking on.

Elvis Costello performs.

Duet with Lou Reed and Elvis Costello

Guest James Taylor on set.

James Taylor performs.

James Taylor and Elvis Costello acknowledging the crowd.

Elvis Costello performs

Elvis Costello on the set.

The incomparable Tony Bennett.

Tony Bennett performs.

Tony Bennett with the brilliant Diana Krall on piano.

Tony Bennett and Elvis Costello on set.

Tony Bennett charms a captive audience - including Elvis and pianist Bill Charlap.

Tony Bennett with Elvis center stage.

Elvis Costello holds Q & A session with jazz great Tony Bennett.

Host Elvis Costello with Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap at the piano.

Lead vocalist and bassist, Sting, rehearses at The Apollo.

The Police drummer/vocalist, Stewart Copeland on set.

Elvis Costello fields questions with Stewart Copeland.

Elvis Costello with Sting.

Elvis Costello with The Police - Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland.

Rufus Wainwright on set.

Rufus Wainwright discusses his music with host Elvis Costello.

Rufus Wainwright at the mic.

Elvis performs with guests Kris Kristofferson and Rosanne Cash.

John Mellancamp arrives outside the Apollo.

John Mellancamp on set.

John Mellancamp performs.

Musician/vocalist/composer Norah Jones.

Norah Jones on the set.

Norah Jones sings.

Singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash on the set.

Rosanne Cash carries on the family tradition.

Soprano Renee Fleming and host Elvis Costello on the set.

"The people's diva" soprano Renee Fleming.

Singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, soprano Renee Fleming, host Elvis Costello and musician/singer (and Rufus' mom) Kate McGarrigle perform.

Musical innovator Herbie Hancock with host Elvis Costello.

Herbie Hancock at the keyboards.

Herbie Hancock at the piano with Christian McBride on upright bass.

Herbie Hancock with Elvis Costello center stage.

Jakob Dylan on the set.

Guest Jakob Dylan with Elvis Costello

Jakob Dylan answers questions.

Jakob Dylan on guitar with Elvis Costello.

Jakob Dylan and Elvis Costello get ready to perform.

Singer Jenny Lewis takes the mic.

Jenny Lewis performs.

Singer and songwriter Jenny Lewis.

Jenny Lewis and musician M. Ward.

Singers Jenny Lewis and Zooey Deschanel out front with Jonathan Rice and M. Ward on guitars.

Guitarist and producer, M. Ward.

M. Ward on guitar.

Dueling guitars - Jonathan Rice and M. Ward.

Zooey Deschanel at the mic with Elvis Costello on guitar.

Zooey Deschanel performs.

Zooey Deschanel with host Elvis Costello