I’ve been meaning to mention this for a while—Elvis Costello hosts a new show on Sundance Channel called Spectacle. From the logo, I guess the title is meant to be a pun about Costello’s signature glasses rather than some sort of visible extravaganza, which it certainly is not. On the other hand, if you like deep discussions about popular music between masters of the craft, coupled with low-key performances of unbelievable musicianship, then it is indeed pretty spectacular.

The first show set a high bar, with musical guest Sir Elton John (who is one of the executive producers). One minor beef I have with the show is a lack of prominent credits for the backing band, but maybe you’ll get an idea of the caliber of the players when I mention the “other” keyboard on the Elton John show was New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint.

The most obvious thing lacking in the show is actually its best feature: fawning celebrity chitchat. This is all about a conversation between peers on a subject they are passionate about and expert in. It takes an artist of the stature of Elvis Costello to pull this off, and his amazing range of curiosity and knowledge keeps the conversation moving in surprising and fascinating directions.

So far the program has also included Lou Reed and Julian Schnabel, Bill Clinton (surprise! but pretty interesting), James Taylor, Tony Bennett, The Police, and Rufus Wainright. I’ve never been a Tony Bennett fan (he’s obviously amazing but that style has never done anything for me), but that episode may have changed my mind—plus he practically had me applauding along with the audience with some of his observations about the importance of music and popular culture. In addition, it turns out he is as good a painter as he is a singer.

I’m actually looking forward to the Rufus Wainwright program (as yet unwatched on my DVR). So far he is an artist whose charms have always eluded me, but if anything can change my mind it may be this program. I don’t know what higher compliment I can give.

Two bonus links: a minisite devoted to the show (currently featuring a clip of the upcoming Kris Kristofferson/Roseanne Cash show), and a New Yorker review of the program.