Elvis Costello and the Attractions: Watching the Detectives, Live 1978

If you’ve ever played “Watching the Detectives,” you know it’s one of those songs that’s just fun to groove on. Originally heard on Elvis Costello’s My Aim is True, the reggae-rock tune features a mellow bass line that lays nicely on the instrument.

Here’s a clip of Costello and the Attractions featuring bassist Bruce Thomas performing it live on the German television show Rockpalast in 1978. The group gets more aggressive in their version, laying it all out for the audience.

In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.

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Share your thoughts

  1. PapaRomeo

    Video link is broken: Here’s the YouTube link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K–POHTLGY0

  2. Rob

    looks like Elvis just finished a step arobics class, he be sweatin’…