Don't buy my new boxset, rocker tells fans

Elvis Costello has warned his fans not to buy his latest album and said its price tag of more than £200 "appears to be either a misprint or a satire".

The Oliver's Army singer told fans they would be better spending their money on a Louis Armstrong boxset.

The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook is a three disc recording made at a gig in America earlier this year and is on sale in a limited edition complete with a hardback book and autographed by Costello.

Writing on his website, under the pseudonym The Right Reverend Jimmy Quickly, Costello told fans he was "unable to recommend The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook as the price appears to be either a misprint or a satire.

"All our attempts to have this number revised have been fruitless so we are taking the following unusual step.

"If you want to buy something special for your loved one at this time of seasonal giving, we suggest, Ambassador Of Jazz - a cute little imitation suitcase containing ten re-mastered albums by one of the most beautiful and loving revolutionaries who ever lived - Louis Armstrong."

The singer-songwriter, real name Declan MacManus, also told fans who wanted the tracks they should wait until the New Year when they will be given a wider - and cheaper - release.

- AAP