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Tonysonit
Interesting evaluation of the phenomena of Elvis. I always like to hear what other people have to say, even when I have preformed opinions. After all, you can teach an old dog new tricks -- this one learns them all the time.
Your ideas on Elvis sound a lot like my ex's. She also pointed out to me the tremendous vocal range Elvis had and his ability to sing almost any type of song well. Till he died she always told me she'd leave me for him in a heartbeat.
posted by
notapoet
on September 25, 2006 at 8:56 PM
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You are right - you are Notapoet!
That's with a capital N, not three separate words! Must just comment on the Elvis observations. You're far better placed than me to comment, but i suppose we also have to analyse Elvis' appeal to those who weren't there at the time, in America in the fifties, I mean. I don't think he is a less-than-great singer. Let's not get into the technicalities, but surely the truth is that it's a combination of things, not just having a distinctive voice, but also.. just having good taste, for one. Are there, for instance, any Elvis songs that have been covered better by anyone else? maybe in the domain of country, but I don't know. Certainly not for the true Elvis classics he was most famous for. Secondly, his broad range of musical taste. He clearly liked Italian-style operatic-style ballads as well, and R&B, and, well you name it. He just loved his music. This was unfortunately on the backburner when Parker was forcing him to concentrate on films, but look how the music immediately went back to the highest quality when he re-emerged in the late sixties. He didn't just revisit rock n roll, he did really good soul-tinged pop, or high quality middle of the road anthems, the lot. Yes, he could command the best musicians, but surely without his own taste, he might have gone down a poor musical equivalent of his films and churned out dross. He didn't. Then, there was his physical sense of rhythm - this was still very much intact when you watch his Vegas shows on film. What a mover. Then there was his looks - with James Dean, Elvis is surely the style icon for all cool western males since the mid-20th century. I wouldn't include Lennon, not for style - his forte, apart from the songs, was more attitude, rebelliousness. Then, I think anyway, he had a cool sense of humour and despute his faults was essentially quite likeable in an immature way. But then, that applies to most comedians. Good stuff.
posted by
Antonionioni
on September 23, 2006 at 11:51 AM
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