A typed letter dated the 13th June 1995 which was sent by Elvis Costello to Beatles sound engineer, Geoff Emerick. Elvis has handwritten ‘Dear Geoff’, ‘Speak to you soon’ and he has signed the bottom of the letter.

It reads:

‘Dear Geoff

I’m sorry about the long silence but between launching “Kojak Variety” and the upcoming “Meltdown” festival madness I’ve been swamped. I spoke to Paul recently and he told me you were putting together some very exciting stuff from the E.M.I. vaults. I can’t wait to hear it.

Anyway, here are a few more songs for the pile. I originally planned to do fresh demos of a couple of them but at this stage we might as well just make the real record!. I’m sure you can get some idea of the songs even from these roughs.

“God Give Strength”. This is the one written with Burt Bacharach for the film “Grace of my heart”. They have asked me to record it for the end titles. I said I thought it would have to also be included in our album. I hope you agree. I’ve played solo twice now and on both occasions it stopped the show.

2 & 3. “Basement Kiss” and “Do you know what I’m saying?”. These are two more songs from that Wendy James album in which W.B’s Joe McEwen showed an interest. These demos were done with a heavy cold as you can hear but “Basement Kiss” has been very good in concert on several occasions.

4. “Other end of the telescope”: I’m sending you, my co-writer, Aimee Mann’s version of this one as I have not had time to demo it. I know the production is a bit heavy handed but I stripped this one down to one guitar on the recent shows with Dylan and it went over very well.

5. “Poor Fractured Atlas”: This is a really rough tape-recorder-on-top-of the piano job. (Originally written for Aimee, although she didn’t use it). I’ve improved the words some also. I’ve done in concert with Steve and solo and it has sounded like a much bigger tune that it may do in this version. However at least you should get some idea of it.

As I said I will be in rehearsal or in concert for the next two weeks but I hope we can have a chat about all of these titles before too long. Hope all is well with you.

Speak to you soon

Elvis C’

There are handwritten notes on the reverse of the last page in pencil. Also included is a tape cassette with a handwritten sticker reading ‘Elvis Costello: Demos’ and the original padded mailing envelope.

The letter has been folded leaving horizontal and vertical crease lines. The condition of the letter is very good. The condition of the cassette is excellent.

Provenance: from the estate of Beatles sound engineer Geoff Emerick.