In what might be described as a twenty first century hi-definition version of the classic Parisian salon, Elvis Costello chairs thirteen unique evenings of dialogue and performance in the key of collaboration. Conceived to provide a window into the creativity, inspiration and general gestalt of a generation of legendary singers, songwriters and musicians, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... is a genre unto itself.

Critics who praised the show on the Sundance Channel in the US and CTV in Canada noted that Costello's long run as a pre-eminent craftsman served him well when he took on a new role as host and interviewer, using his wry sense of humor and innate knowledge of several musical schools to bring out the best from his guests. The Season One DVD captures the show as a complete entity with its own story arcs and tangents, some of which provided by exclusive one of a kind performances. The set includes several bonus performances that will stand as landmark renditions, not the least of which is Costello and The Police, ramping up, in the band's last TV appearance, the power trio standard, "Purple Haze".