Singer-songwriter Elvis Costello is apparently so bitter at the pricing of his upcoming box set that he’s telling fans not to buy it and to spend their money on Louis Armstrong’s music instead. A post on his official site calls the price of The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook “either a misprint or satire.”

The set, which costs $202.64, includes a CD, DVD, vinyl record, 40-page hardcover tribute book and a card autographed by Costello. The release is a limited edition with 1,500 copies in circulation.

In the post, Costello calls the set “beautifully designed” but too expensive to warrant his fans’ money. He says his attempts to coax the powers that be to lower the price were “fruitless.”

Here’s his recommendation to fans:

If you should really want to buy something special for your loved one at this time of seasonal giving, we can whole-heartedly recommend, “Ambassador Of Jazz” – a cute little imitation suitcase, covered in travel stickers and embossed with the name “Satchmo” but more importantly containing TEN re-mastered albums by one of the most beautiful and loving revolutionaries who ever lived – Louis Armstrong.

The box should be available for under one hundred and fifty American dollars and includes a number of other tricks and treats. Frankly, the music is vastly superior.

Calling his box set “an elaborate hoax,” he advises fans to wait until next year, when the components that make up the package will go on sale separately.

Steal This Record [Elvis Costello via Boing Boing]

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