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Various - A Tribute To The King
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 How does a man that has been gone for so long maintain his popularity? He had to make a lot of good music that is how. Elvis Presley was probably more responsible for the popularity of rock ‘n’ roll than any other artist in the history of music. He influenced great bands of legendary proportions like The Beatles. I do not think I need to say anymore about what he did for music. When you are that popular and so many people love your music long after you are gone, inevitably tribute albums, and sometimes many, become the standard. “A Tribute To The King” is not what you would expect for an Elvis tribute. The range of styles and taste is to say the least broad, in fact if the man were alive today he may not agree with some of flavors and styles presented here. I felt that this CD was very good. I always liked Elvis, although I am far from being a fanatical fan. I probably have one or two CDs in my entire collection. This does not understate his importance to me and my understanding of his huge and sweeping influence in music to this day.
Appropriately, I think having one of The Beatles kick things off was a great way to start the song selection. Paul McCartney does and bang up job with “All Shook Up” and John Lennon closes out the set with a live cut of “Hound Dog.” How can you have a proper tribute to “The King” without other 50’s icons included? Jerry Lee Lewis steps up to the plate with a rousing “Jailhouse Rock” and Eddie Cochrane does a jumpin’ version of the classic “Blue Suede Shoes.” Then to get a little more versatile and down to earth, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell offer up “Heartbreak Hotel.” One thing for certain, every one that contributes on this recording has their own distinct and recognizable style that has carved a niche in music history. The one song that really moved me was “In The Ghetto” performed by Candi Staton. She sounds like Gladys Knight; her voice is deep and expressive enough to get the message of the song across. The words hit you so hard that it cries and aches with the truth and reality of the subject matter. The one track that I think got butchered was “Suspicious Minds,” by Fine Young Cannibals, who have a certain brand of alternative rock that just didn’t fit it on this collection, and they ruined my favorite Elvis song. Other notables are Bryan Ferry and his warbling silky vocals on “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” which seemed like a perfect song for his style, and blues-rock kings Canned Heat covering “That’s All Right Mama,” yet another fine choice for matching and band and its style with the Presley catalog.
This CD is a worthwhile collection that will appeal a large cross-section of tastes in music. It sure made my day brighter and once again reminded me that the king may be dead but he lives on.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck |
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