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I don't believe that Elvis C meant to say "African American music", in talking about UK radio DJ Charlie Gillett. Gillett was one of the first UK broadcasters to feature, extensively and frequently, music from much of the African continent. He has always stated where the music originates, the style, its influences and its links. Costello referred to him as a "student of African music" which is correct, if over-modest ('expert' might have been more appropriate). Costello was making a passing reference to someone who effectively gave him his first break rather than giving a detailed description of his current broadcasting content.

I am sorry that the term "African music" offends you, but there's no simple way around it. Should Costello have said: "He is a student of music from Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria, Egypt....."?

Thanks for the broadcast.

Kind regards

Really nice that this was streamed online. The interviewer was quite good and informed though he did get a few things wrong. Elvis was gracious in correcting or dancing around those moments. I can sort of see the point on the comment about "African" music, though I think the reaction is a little on the over-sensitive side. I don't know the DJ in question, but my hunch is that Elvis meant to say "African American" music, but probably caught himself because there were a lot of black artists from Britain during the day as well that were probably featured on the show.

Loved the live performances, and interesting (and cool) that he would play 'Poison Moon' of all things.

this was fascinating, inspiring and insightful. EC is eloquent as always. as interesting speaking as he is singing. thanks!

Annie,

You're being ridiculous. As a Latin American, I never take offense at people talking broadly about "Latin" music. Latin music is so rich and complex, so many genres, salsa, danzas, mambo, guajira, mariachi, tango, orchestral, bossa nova, many, but not all, incorporating Afro beats and rhythms, are all grouped in that the term Latin music. Give him a break. Give me a break. I'm sure Elvis knows African music better than you probably do. Relax. Take a deep breath. Don't look for insult where none is intended.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Costello (Irish: Mac Coisdealbha) is a common Irish surname originating in County Mayo. The surname derives from Jocelyn de Angulo (fl.1172), an Anglo-Norman knight.
Costello is also a rare Italian surname [1] that does not derive from Irish. It is more commonly found as Costelli, sometimes Costella. Costello, Costelli, and Costella are usually found as Italian surnames in northern Italy. In other cases, "Costello" was adopted as a stage name or alias by people of Italian descent who had a different surname, such as Costa or Castiglia.

"New Orleans music and African music"? Is the music of all of Africa all of 1 kind? It's really dismaying that even a musician of elvis Costello's scope doesn't know or care or care to distinguish where in Africa the "African" music comes from. If he said "American" music would that mean anything? Or would it sound ridiculous? As a Black woman, I am offended by hearing this term "African music" over and over on WNYC, from educated people who should know better.

Tramp the dirt down. Dechlan's best song.