Title - 'Viva ELVIS - The Album' (Legacy)
Artist - Elvis Presley
Now, once you put this CD in, don't be tempted to turn the volume up, as I did, thinking there's nothing on your CD ... 'cause there is! It's just a low, low start to the CD. Ergo, Track 1 is nothing more than a low instrumental, spoken word at times, intro to the King of Rock's latest release.
Things get off to a hip-shakin' start on 'Blue Suede Shoes,' the main remix quality to it within its backing - and it's primarily harmonica-driven hook. 'That's All Right' sounds like it's under water at times, but is much the same as it ever was.
You see, 'Viva ELVIS - The Album' is a 21st century celebration of Elvis and his music, featuring the voice of the king in a whole new context: all his songs have been re-imagined. Using the King’s own vocal performances as they once were, his greatest hits have been recreated within a broad variety of new musical settings: from Delta blues to rockabilly, from raw soul to gospel, from Southern folk to Vegas pop, while incorporating elements of garage rock, punk, urban and hip-hop!
Hence, something like 'Heartbreak Hotel' now sounds weirder than ever! Beginning with the sounds of him (kinda) warming up in a church, it suddenly breaks into a full-on guitar slaughter of the song! Indeed, the newly re-imagined 'Love Me Tender' actually features a female vocal intro (alas, her name I cannot locate). Now, as much as the song has turned folkie here, it's pace is the same. It's just more of a duet now.
'King Creole' features an announcer intro, harmoniously infused with a dance backing, Shaggy style! It's weird, but actually works well! 'Bossa Nova Baby' starts with an audio chat back and forth between Elvis and Mr. Wallace and leads directly into a really funky bass beat, before 'Burning Love' (with its own Elvis quip intro) gets down to some serious guitar work sooner rather than later - dare I say, U2-style!
'Memories' drifts by, literally un-noticed, but 'Can't Help Falling In Love' is beautiful. Again featuring the added vocals of a female, the tone is not changed much, but is breathless in its orchestration. 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is orchestral, a piano interlude, if you will, but the CD-ending 'Suspicious Minds' is broad, expansive, and needs to be cranked up for all to hear, trust me!
www.legacyrecordings.com