Elvis Costello first worked with producer/musician T-Bone Burnett on his 1986 album King of America and went on to produce 1989’s Spike. In between those two albums, they released a collaborative single, “The People’s Limousine,” under the name The Coward Brothers. Thirty-seven years later Costello and Burnett are back as The Coward Brothers for a three-part podcast series for Audible and a companion album for New West. Both are out November 21.
Described as “wireless drama,” The True Story of The Coward Brothers recounts the story of Henry Coward (Burnett) and Howard Coward (Costello) as “they bitterly retrace the story of being duped out of their royalties and rightful place in pop history by their cutthroat manager who, among other things, persuaded them to fake their own deaths.” The True Story of The Coward Brothers was directed by Christopher Guest (Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman) and features the voice talents of Harry Shearer (The Simpsons, Spinal Tap), Edward Hibbert (Gil Chesterton on Frasier), Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul), Stephen Root (Office Space, Newsradio), and Kathreen Khavari (Insecure).
As for The Coward Brothers album, it features songs written for the podcast, ranging in styles to match the brothers’ long career in music. You can listen to the Beach Boys-eque opening song “Always” below.
A six-disc deluxe edition of The King of America is due out November 1.
T-Bone Burnett released his first album in 20 years this past spring.
The Coward Brothers
1. Always
2. Like Licorice
3. My Baby Just Squeals (You Heel)
4. The Devil’s Wife
5. Tipsy Woman
6. My Baby Just Purrs (You’re Mine, Not Hers)
7. My Baby Just Whistles (Here Come The Missiles)
8. World Serious
9. Early Shirley
10. Yesteryear Is Near
11. Birkenhead Girl
12. Smoke Ring Angel
13. Wooden Woman
14. (I Don’t Want Your) Lyndon Johnson
15. Lotta Money
16. Pure Bubblegum
17. Cathy Come Home
18. Bygones
19. Row Me Once
20. Clown Around Town