BY DAVID KRONKE >TV CRITIC

Given how inarticulate many musicians can be, it's somewhat amazing that a couple of the smartest talk shows I've seen this past decade have primarily featured them.

Bravo's too-short-lived "Musicians" featured Rolling Stone writer David Wild in conversation with performers and could be revelatory in its insights into the creative process. Now we have "Spectacle: Elvis Costello With ...," featuring the genre-bending singer-songwriter in hourlong chats with superstars, cult heroes and even a former U.S. president about their musical influences.

Warning: The conversations can be a little inside-baseball; so if you're not a huge music fan, the discussions can seem a little arcane. If you are a big fan, however, this could be your equivalent of a "Star Wars" DVD tricked-up with dozens of extras.

Tonight's inaugural installment features Costello (right) interviewing Elton John (not all that big a "get," given that Sir Elton is one of the show's executive producers).

Though John is an engaging storyteller, offering anecdotes about both Frank Sinatra and "American Idol" embarrassment William Hung, it's clearly a first effort. Costello asks questions off cue cards, making it obvious this is not an innately easy gig; both men sit with their legs spread uncomfortably wide; and the cutaways to audience members suggest that they're not entirely enraptured with the proceedings.

Next week, Costello coaxes fairly insightful observations from the notoriously press-shy Lou Reed, then invites Julian Schnabel - director of "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and the film version of Reed's wrist-slitting masterpiece "Berlin" - into the fray. Drink in hand, Schnabel transforms the episode into a fascinatingly cringe-inducing confrontation, ameliorated by Reed and Costello's transcendent duet of the songs "Perfect Day" and "Set the Twilight Reeling." (The music throughout this series is pretty much impeccable.)

Even more surprising is episode three (airing Dec. 17), featuring former President Bill Clinton discussing his musical passions, his getting into Al Hirt's New Orleans club even though he wasn't of drinking age, his introduction to rap, how music helped him consider multiple political viewpoints and his regret that music is no longer a focal point in public schools. Alas, he doesn't break out his saxophone. It concludes with a haunting performance of "Is This America? (Katrina 2005)" by Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny.

Yet another arresting episode features the impossibly humble and engaging Tony Bennett, who at one point pulls Costello's nonplussed wife, jazz pianist Diana Krall, from the audience to perform together.

Part of this series' charm might rest in the unexpected and borderline-awkward moments that occur. And part of it could come from the fact that Costello wears the same clashing, unflattering shade of green socks in each episode. But if you're a hard-core music fan or a neophyte, you're almost guaranteed to learn something about how to become a better listener.

David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke@dailynews.com

review>

SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH ...

>What: Music and talk show hosted by the English singer-songwriter, executive-produced by Elton John.

>Where: Sundance Channel.

>When: 9 pm Wednesday.

>In a nutshell: Smart talk about great music.