Just how great is Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello is a unique talent.  I won't say that he is the best, but I wouldn't place any post 1950 singer/songwriter above him.

Although he doesn't express a coherent political viewpoint there is a fair amount of political/economic commentary running through Elvis Costello's songs.  The clearest case would be his collaboration with Allen Toussaint.

I don't understand why some people don't respect artists who are willing to address political issues.  The arts in general and music specifically have traditional be one of the most important and influential  channels for the expression of political opinions.  Quite literally when soldiers go marching off to war they do it singing songs that somebody wrote.  For me politics and music go hand and hand.  A good example was how during last night's Academy Awards ceremony Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" played over the closing credits.  You don't have to like the message, but if it's well conceived and executed,  you can't ignore it either.  That's the real power of good art done by good artists.