All three of these CDs are scheduled for US release August 3.

UK release for Almost Blue and Goodbye Cruel World is scheduled for July 26. The UK release date for Kojak Variety is August 2.


ALMOST BLUE BONUS DISC

1. STRANGER IN THE HOUSE George Jones with Elvis Costello
Elvis' duet with George Jones appeared on Jones' 1980 album My Very Special Guests and was released as a single. This is its first appearance on an Elvis Costello album.
2. WE OUGHTA BE ASHAMED Johnny Cash with Elvis Costello
This duet was recorded December 26, 1979 for Johnny Cash's album Rockabilly Blues but went unused. This is its first release anywhere.
3. RADIO SWEETHEART (LIVE, FEB. 16, 1979)
4. STRANGER IN THE HOUSE (LIVE, FEB. 16, 1979)
5. PSYCHO (LIVE, FEB. 16, 1979)
6. IF I COULD PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER (I'D HAVE YOU) (LIVE, FEB. 16, 1979)
7. MOTEL MATCHES (LIVE, FEB. 16, 1979)
8. HE'LL HAVE TO GO (LIVE, FEB. 16, 1979)
9. GIRLS TALK (LIVE, FEB. 16, 1979)

On February 16, 1979, John McFee joined Elvis Costello and the Attractions for a "country" set at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood. "Psycho" has long been available (first on the B-side of "Sweet Dreams" and later on Ryko's Almost Blue), but the rest is previously unreleased. This version of "Motel Matches" was included in an early track listing for Rhino's Get Happy!!.
10. TOO FAR GONE ("LOST SESSION" VERSION)
11. HE'S GOT YOU ("LOST SESSION" VERSION)
These tracks date from the "trial session" held at CBS Studio B in Nashville on January 20, 1981, for which the band was augmented by pedal steel guitarist Pete Drake rather than John McFee. Elvis had described this session as "lost," but obviously it has now been found. (Elvis apparently also misremembered exactly what was recorded at this session, listing "I'll Take Care Of You" instead of "Too Far Gone.") Although a studio version of "He's Got You" is available on the bootleg Nashville And More, this is a different version. The alternate "Too Far Gone" is entirely unheard.
12. HONKY TONK GIRL
The first of 11 consecutive outtakes from the main sessions for Almost Blue, "Honky Tonk Girl" was first issued on the "I'm Your Toy" 12-inch single. Its only previous CD appearance was as part of the Singles, Vol. 2 box set.
13. THAT'S WHY I'M WALKING
This track has long been available on the bootleg Nashville And More, but this is its first official release.
14. WONDERING
"Wondering" was first issued on the "I'm Your Toy" 7-inch single and has never before appeared in its correct form on CD, since Singles, Vol. 2 used an unfinished version with an alternate vocal.
15. DARLING, YOU KNOW I WOULDN'T LIE
Previously available on the Ryko CD.
16. MY SHOES KEEP WALKING BACK TO YOU
First issued on the "I'm Your Toy" 12-inch single and later included on the Ryko CD.
17. BLUES KEEP CALLING
First issued on the "I'm Your Toy" 12-inch single, this track's only previous CD appearance was on Singles, Vol. 2.
18. TEARS BEFORE BEDTIME
Previously available on the Ryko CD.
19. PSYCHO
This studio version is previously unreleased officially, although it can be found on the bootleg Nashville And More.
20. CRY, CRY, CRY
Like "Wondering," this was first issued on the "I'm Your Toy" 7-inch single and only previously available on CD in an incorrect version on Singles, Vol. 2.
21. I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU
Yet another track from the bootleg Nashville And More but released officially for the first time here.
22. YOUR ANGEL STEPS OUT OF HEAVEN
The final studio outtake was originally the B-side of "Good Year For The Roses" and also appeared on the Ryko CD.
23. BRAND NEW HEARTACHE (LIVE, JUL. 30, 1981)
24. THERE WON'T BE ANYMORE (LIVE, JUL. 30, 1981)
25. SITTIN' AND THINKIN' (LIVE, JUL. 30, 1981)
26. HONEY HUSH (LIVE, JUL. 30, 1981)
This live mini-set from Aberdeen begins with the previously unheard Gram Parsons/Everly Brothers cover "Brand New Heartache," a song Elvis apparently never attempted before or since. The remaining three songs appeared on the Ryko CD. Completists should note that the two other live tracks included on the Ryko — "He's Got You" and "Cry, Cry, Cry" — have been omitted from the Rhino release, with studio versions appearing instead.
27. I'M YOUR TOY (LIVE, JAN. 7, 1982)
The bonus disc concludes with the 1982 single which also closed the Ryko CD.


GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD BONUS DISC

1. THE ONLY FLAME IN TOWN (ALTERNATE VERSION)
A previously unreleased outtake from the Goodbye Cruel World sessions.
2. YOUNG BOY BLUES (DEMO)
This Doc Pomus/Phil Spector song associated with Ben E. King comes from the same session which produced "Get Yourself Another Fool" and the first band version of "I Hope You're Happy Now." Previously unreleased.
3. TURNING THE TOWN RED
The B-side of "I Wanna Be Loved." Also available on the Ryko CD.
4. I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY NOW
This version was first released on the Ryko CD.
5. TOMORROW'S (JUST ANOTHER DAY) with Madness
Elvis is the lead vocalist on this track which first appeared on the 12-inch single of the same name released by Madness in February 1983. Why it is used on Goodbye Cruel World rather than the more chronologically appropriate Punch The Clock is puzzling, but it is hard to quibble when it is making its first ever CD appearance.
6. GET YOURSELF ANOTHER FOOL
Originally released on the "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" 12-inch single and included on the Ryko CD.
7. BABY IT'S YOU with Nick Lowe
Originally released on the 12-inch single for Nick Lowe's "L.A.F.S." and included on the Ryko CD.
8. I WANNA BE LOVED (DEMO)
9. THE GREAT UNKNOWN (DEMO)
10. SHE LOVES THE JERK (DEMO)
11. TURNING THE TOWN RED (DEMO)
12. PEACE IN OUR TIME (DEMO)
A series of unreleased demos recorded at Eden Studios in December 1983. "She Loves The Jerk" is a John Hiatt song which Elvis played in concert that month.
13. WITHERED AND DIED
Originally the B-side of "Peace In Our Time" and included as an unlisted bonus track on the Ryko CD.
14. THE COMEDIANS (DEMO)
15. INCH BY INCH (DEMO)
16. MYSTERY VOICE (DEMO)
17. JOE PORTERHOUSE (DEMO)
18. THE TOWN WHERE TIME STOOD STILL (DEMO)
19. BLUE MURDER ON UNION AVENUE (DEMO)
20. HOME TRUTH (DEMO)
A second set of unreleased demos. "Mystery Voice" and "Blue Murder On Union Avenue" are previously unknown songs, although "Blue Murder On Union Avenue" is essentially an early version of "Worthless Thing," and "Mystery Voice" is closely connected to two different Goodbye Cruel World. "The Town Where Time Stood Still" makes a surprise reappearance.
21. THE ONLY FLAME IN TOWN (LIVE, APR. 28, 1984)
22. WORTHLESS THING (LIVE, APR. 28, 1984)
23. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS (LIVE, APR. 28, 1984)
24. WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT YOU IS YOUR GIRLFRIEND (LIVE, APR. 28, 1984)
25. MOTEL MATCHES (LIVE, APR. 28, 1984)
26. LOVE FIELD (LIVE, APR. 28, 1984)
The live mini-set from the Ryko CD (all solo performances from April 28, 1984 in San Francisco) is expanded with two unreleased performances: "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend" and "Love Field."

Note that "Deportee," which appeared on the Ryko Goodbye Cruel World, is absent from the Rhino version. It may not have been dropped entirely from the reissue program, however, as it could conceivably be used on King Of America instead.

KOJAK VARIETY BONUS DISC

1. SHIP OF FOOLS
This Grateful Dead song, first released in 1991 on the Deadicated tribute album, is the only known outtake from the Kojak Variety sessions.
2. MY RESISTANCE IS LOW
The first of 10 consecutive songs from the "George Jones demos," which Elvis (backed by Paul Riley and Pete Thomas) recorded in Pete's home studio in 1992 as potential material for George Jones. "My Resistance Is Low" is a Hoagy Carmichael song which previously appeared on the "London's Brilliant Parade" 12-inch single. This is its first CD release.
3. INNOCENT WHEN YOU DREAM
Tom Waits cover (from 1987's Franks Wild Years). Previously unreleased.
4. I'M COMING HOME
T-Bone Burnett cover (from 1980's Truth Decay). Previously unreleased.
5. THE DARK END OF THE STREET
Written by Chips Moman and Dan Penn and recorded perhaps most notably by James Carr (in 1967), although Elvis is undoubtedly also familiar with the versions by the Flying Burrito Brothers and Percy Sledge. "The Dark End Of The Street" was also performed by Costello in many of his 2003-2004 concerts. Previously unreleased.
6. CONGRATULATIONS
Paul Simon cover (from his self-titled 1972 album). First issued on the "London's Brilliant Parade" 12-inch single. This is its CD debut.
7. YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME LONESOME WHEN YOU GO
Bob Dylan cover (from 1975's Blood On The Tracks). Previously unreleased.
8. POURING WATER ON A DROWNING MAN (ALTERNATE VERSION)
The only "George Jones demo" which has been otherwise recorded by Elvis, and the only song on the Kojak Variety bonus disc which also appears on the main album. Previously unreleased.
9. STILL FEELING BLUE
Gram Parsons cover (from 1973's GP). Previously unreleased.
10. BRILLIANT DISGUISE
Elvis' version of this Bruce Springsteen song (from 1987's Tunnel Of Love) was first issued on the "It's Time" CD single in 1996.
11. HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON
The George & Ira Gershwin standard is the last of the George Jones demos. Previously unreleased.
12. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
Elvis' contribution to the 1999 album Return Of The Grievous Angel: A Tribute To Gram Parsons is a somewhat surprising choice for the bonus disc, as it dates from after his 1997 departure from Warner Bros. Aside from "She" on The Very Best Of Elvis Costello, this is the only post-Warner Bros. recording on any of the Rhino reissues.
13. STEP INSIDE LOVE
14. YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY
15. SALLY SUE BROWN
16. STICKS AND STONES
These four songs were recorded along with "Life Shrinks" at Westside Recording Studio in February 1994. "Sally Sue Brown" was recorded by Elvis alone and issued on Adios Amigo: A Tribute To Arthur Alexander. The other three feature the "Life Shrinks" band (Steve Nieve, Steve Donnelly, Trevor Barry, and Pete Thomas) and were recorded for the BBC television series The Family and included on the "You Tripped At Every Step" CD single.
17. THAT'S HOW YOU GOT KILLED BEFORE with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Elvis is the lead vocalist on this Dave Bartholomew song recorded in 1989 for The Dirty Dozen Brass Band's The New Orleans Album.
18. THE NIGHT BEFORE LARRY WAS STRETCHED
Elvis contributed this traditional tune to 1996's Common Ground — Voices Of Modern Irish Music.
19. BUT NOT FOR ME with Larry Adler
The second Gershwin brothers song on the bonus disc was released on 1994's The Glory Of Gershwin, produced by George Martin.
20. FULL FORCE GALE
This a capella collaboration with The Voice Squad was released on 1994's No Prima Donna — The Songs Of Van Morrison.


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