Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint, Nearer to You | COVERS

In the 16th edition of COVERS (2025), Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint deliver a compelling rendition of “Nearer to You,” originally performed by Betty Harris.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 16^th  edition of COVERS (2025), Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint deliver a compelling rendition of “Nearer to You”, originally performed by Betty Harris.

“Every little thing I do, I’m trying to get closer to you / Nearer (Nearer, nearer).” Grammy-winner Elvis Costello (1954 – ) and the late, great Allen Toussaint (1938 – 2015), covered Toussaint’s composition, originally released by Betty Harris (1939 – ), “Nearer to You”, in 2006.  “Nearer” appears as the second track on their Grammy-nominated, collaborative album, The River In Reverse. Costello is responsible for lead vocals throughout.

“Nearer to You” gets a soul-laden, gospel-infused rendition from Costello and Toussaint. This comes from glorious musical accompaniment from piano, organ, and guitar. The arrangement and production (Joe Henry) are terrific.  The main attraction, Elvis Costello, brings his A game.  His vocals are soulful from start to finish.  He never forces things, bringing great nuance and a sweet falsetto.  He gets awesome support from background vocals, which up the ante.  “Nearer to You” ends on a high note with a stirring vocal ending, vamping on the lyrics, “I’ve got to be nearer to you.” Beyond a well-rounded vocal performance, I must compliment the instrumentalists and arrangement once more.  There is a fabulous organ solo, accompanied by piano and guitar.  The instruments tastefully conclude “Nearer to You” – that formidable tandem of organ, piano, and guitar. Costello and Toussaint have a tough act to follow with Harris, but their rendition of “Nearer” is marvelous.

Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint // The River In Reverse // The Verve Music Group //2006

Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint, Nearer to You: Covers No. 16 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; The Verve Music Group; Alan Cordero, Wolf Art from Pexels; AcatXIo, Enrique, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]