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The True Story of The Coward Brothers

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The True Story of The Coward Brothers

By: Elvis Costello
Narrated by: T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, Rhea Seehorn, Edward Hibbert, Stephen Root, Kathreen Khavari
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About this listen

IMPROBABLE AT FIRST!!!
PREPOSTEROUS TO THE LAST!!!
THESE ROCK AND ROLL CHARLATANS CONFOUND, CONFUSE
BUT ULTIMATELY CROON AND CHARM IN THE GREATEST STORY NEVER TOLD.

The True Story of The Coward Brothers follows two musical brothers – one English, one American, both the illegitimate sons of dubious parentage who may, as they claim to be, "one and half-brothers" – perhaps a reference to the disparity in their height and relative talents.

In this satirical audio series directed by Christopher Guest (This Is Spinal Tap, Best In Show), Henry and Howard Coward are lightly grilled by radio host, Sterling Lockhart (Harry Shearer; The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live) as they bitterly retrace the story of being duped out of their royalties and rightful place in pop history by their cutthroat manager who, among other things, persuaded them to fake their own deaths. Their sometimes poignant and heartrending story reveal an improbable love triangle involving their publisher's secretary, Phyliss Dandy (Rhea Seehorn; Better Call Saul, VEEP), as well as entertaining listeners with tales of their lost music, unsupportable claims of having written titles curiously adjacent to more famous songs, such as "A Lotta Money", "Tipsy Woman" and their failed attempt at Cold War topicality, "My Baby Just Whistles (Here Come The Missiles)".

This Audible Original features all-new music from The Coward Brothers and boasts an all-star cast which also includes Edward Hibbert (The Prestige, Earthworm Jim), Stephen Root (Barry, Office Space), and Kathreen Khavari (Avengers Assemble, Big Little Lies).

An epic tale of smash hits and broken dreams told in three acts, tune in, Dear Listener, to discover the inscrutable origins of the one and only: The Coward Brothers.

"A music mockumentary for the ages

Music obsessives and comedy fanatics will both find something to love in The True Story of the Coward Brothers, a wholly original audio mockumentary written by new-wave legend Elvis Costello and starring Costello and fellow music icon T Bone Burnett as the titular brothers. A rocking, rollicking listen, The True Story of the Coward Brothers opens on a dispatch from Your Name Here, a radio show hosted by Sterling Lockhart (an exquisitely stoic Harry Shearer), as Henry and Howard Coward regale listeners with the inside story of how their merciless band manager swindled their fortune and ruined their shot at fame. Madcap storytelling and catchy, brilliantly produced mock-pop earworms abound. And the cherry on top? This gem is directed by Christopher Guest, the filmmaker hailed for mockumentaries such as Best in Show and This Is Spinal Tap." —Alanna M.

©2024 T Bone Burnett and Elvis Costello (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.
Comedy & Humour Editors Select Music Witty Funny Heartfelt
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What listeners say about The True Story of The Coward Brothers

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Star performances

Brilliant work by two main characters, came across it by accident and very glad I did. Very polished musically. Thoroughly enjoyed

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Most Enjoyable

Well worth listing to if you like good music and humorous behaviour all in one 🤠

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

What was that?

Not funny enough to be a comedy (for me anyway). Not engaging enough to be a compelling drama. Not true enough to be a documentary. Not quite sure what the point of this is?

The stars I gave this are mainly for the snippets of songs. I understand they are on an album that you can buy or stream etc. I would rather listen to that than listen to this. I used to like Elvis Costello back in the day and he still has a very distinctive voice and a skill for song writing.

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