Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett first worked together in 1985, when they released “The People’s Limousine,” a single credited to the Coward Brothers, those guys’ fictional alter egos. A year later, Burnett co-produced Costello’s newly reissued classic King of America. It’s taken almost 40 years, but Costello and Burnett have now created a full Coward Brothers album. Costello has also written a comedy podcast directed by Christopher Guest.

Today Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett release their album Cowardly brothers album, and the podcast of the same name also arrives today on Audible. Last night Costello and Burnett were guests at Stephen Colbert’s Late showwhere they sat for an interview And did a performance. In their interview, Burnett said that despite not being American, Costello knows more about American music than anyone he has ever met, and the two reminisced about all their years playing music together. They also kept up the kayfabe and were completely upset when they heard that the Coward Brothers would be appearing in the same episode.

In their Coward Brothers guise, Costello and Burnett performed “Always,” the simple and beautiful opening track from their new album. As an online bonus they also did the rootsy rave-up ‘Like Licorice’. Watch the interview and performances below.

And since the Coward Brothers album is out today, you can stream it below.

In other Elvis Costello news, the man just announced a North American tour with keyboardist Steve Nieve, the man who is probably his longest-running collaborator. Nieve was a member of Costello’s Attractions and they have been playing together ever since. View their route below.

TOUR DATES:
02/19 – Easton, PA @ State Theater Center for the Arts
02/21 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Center for the Arts
2/22 – Wilmington, DE @ Grand Opera House
2/24 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater
2/25 – Ithaca, NY @ State Theater
2/27 – Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theater
3/01 – Beverly, MA @ Cabot
3/02 – Portsmouth, NH @ Music Hall
3/04 – Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater
3/05 – Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater
3/07 – Buffalo, NY @ UB Center for the Arts
3/08 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Michigan Theater
3/11 – Chicago, IL @ Park West
12/3 – Chicago, IL @ Park West
3/14 – Chicago, IL @ Park West

The Coward Brothers is now available on New West.