It's easy to hear the writer giving his pitch to the producer, "It's Forrest Gump" meets "What's Up Tiger Lily." That was my reaction to the documentary, Elvis Found Alive. It helps to have seen this remarkable film before slipping the CD into your player. The documentary by Joel Gilbert establishes the setting and context for the sound track.
Considering the fact that Elvis is now 77 years old, his voice has endured rather well. He still has a three octave range although the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows don't seem to have the depth and power of the King when he was in his prime. But heck, Sinatra didn't sound this good in his later years. Listeners simply must trust Joel Gilbert (until the DNA tests are reported) that this isn't some geriatric impersonator. (The album cover credits vocals to "Jon Burrows" -- a frequently used alias of Elvis Presley.)
It's easy to hear the writer giving his pitch to the producer, "It's Forrest Gump" meets "What's Up Tiger Lily." That was my reaction to the documentary, Elvis Found Alive. It helps to have seen this remarkable film before slipping the CD into your player. The documentary by Joel Gilbert establishes the setting and context for the sound track.
Considering the fact that Elvis is now 77 years old, his voice has endured rather well. He still has a three octave range although the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows don't seem to have the depth and power of the King when he was in his prime. But heck, Sinatra didn't sound this good in his later years. Listeners simply must trust Joel Gilbert (until the DNA tests are reported) that this isn't some geriatric impersonator. (The album cover credits vocals to "Jon Burrows" -- a frequently used alias of Elvis Presley.)
It's always astounded me with the covers some singers are willing to attempt. Listeners probably have their own nightmares of seemingly impossible covers by their favorite aging artists. While some may argue that Mel Torme did an acceptable job of covering "Secret Agent Man", few would disagree that Pat Boone's renditions of hits from Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen and Led Zeppelin missed the mark. Let's give "the new Elvis" credit for the courage it must have taken to open his long awaited CD with a cover of "Every Step You Take" by the Police. Elvis plays it straight, even with a rockabilly beat, and delivers an unforgettable cover of Stang's classic rock tune.
"Heartbreak Hotel" revisits an iconic hit from the Tupleo Mississippi Flash followed by a new hit written especially for this project, "Lisa Marie." This ballad is pure Elvis -- an emotional soliloquy to his daughter, including a spoken interlude.
Taking a cue from Bob Dylan, the new Elvis includes a few of his old standards with new melodies. Listeners will have to be on their toes to recognize "That's Alright Mama" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight."
Loyal Elvis fans will appreciate the irony of the selection of Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and no doubt revel in the slow moody treatment. How many times have you heard this song with the "ing" sound clearly present on both "starting" and "something?" It's easy to expect the insertion of "Lisa Marie" in the lyrics to replace "Billie Jean." It's also easy to hear a bit of lounge singer in this arrangement.
The fifteen track set wraps up with a rap piece, the "Elvis is Back Rap." It's an uplifting patriotic statement from the resurrected King wherein he reminds us that "everyone can be a superhero for America." Selected clips from the documentary remixed with a driving, thumping bass, drums, guitar, and echo chamber that ends suddenly with a reminder from the King, that "Man does not live by music alone," and "In show business, you work with what you have."
No doubt, 50,000,000 Elvis fans can't be wrong and won't be denied that their King is indeed back!
Chip Etier - Examiner.com
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