The Bluegrass Elvises, Vol. 1

Billy Burnette

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 2007)
• Original Release Date: August 7, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Thirty Tigers
• ASIN: B000SQKZ8S
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,817 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
These days, album-length bluegrass spins on pop-rock music are seemingly ground out on an assembly line, and too often gimmickry trumps substance. That doesn't necessarily invalidate the idea, however. In Elvis Presley's case, it's perfectly valid, given that the B-side of his first Sun single was a driving recasting of Bill Monroe's waltz-tempo "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Driving bluegrass rhythms became a major component of many of Elvis's Sun recordings and of early rockabilly in general. Now, the wrong performers tackling a bluegrass treatment of Elvis could make a hash of it, but that didn't happen this time--Shawn Camp and Billy Burnette know the score. Billy's dad, Dorsey, and uncle, Johnny Burnette, were Memphis rockabilly pioneers. Camp and Burnette approach the material with a fetching blend of passion, humor, and respect for both Presley and no-frills, unadulterated traditional bluegrass, beginning with a smart tongue-in-cheek instrumental reprise of Elvis's introductory theme "Also Sprach Zarathustra." Romping through the seminal '50s standards "That's All Right Mama," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Good Rockin' Tonight," and "Jailhouse Rock," each performance reflects the same energetic intensity--even the latest hit covered, "Burnin' Love." When a then-unknown Elvis met Monroe in 1954, the Father of Bluegrass gave his blessing to Elvis's spin on "Blue Moon of Kentucky" (and incorporated it into his own version). One suspects both legends would feel likewise about this brilliant, exhilarating effort. --Rich Kienzle

Product Description
An inventively fun album of Elvis covers melding bluegrass and rockabilly by two of Nashville's hottest songwriters and pickers: Bluegrass/country singer Shawn Camp and rockabilly/country performer Billy Burnette, who spent nearly a decade with Fleetwood Mac and now tours frequently with John Fogerty. Shawn is yin to Billy's yang. And both men are steeped in the snaky soul of the Tennessee-Arkansas mythology of the `50s, born of the spirit of Elvis.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Legend Remembered, Songs Reborn, Two Careers Enhanced, December 30, 2007

By	Jef Fazekas (Newport Beach, California United States) - See all my reviews

THE BLUEGRASS ELVISES, VOL. 1 is a special release, important for a number of reasons. First, it reminds us of the talent the King of Rock & Roll (as well as those around him) had for picking songs that not only sounded great, but had classic potential. Second, it shows us just HOW classic these songs really are. Next, it's a wonderful showcase for the talents of both Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp. Finally, it's just plain fun! Aside from the classic nature of these tracks, one other thing that really jumps out at you is how well Burnette and Camp work together, beautifully complementing each other (Long a fan of Burnette's ~ if you asked me to name ten of my Most Underrated Artists, he'd be right at the top of the list! ~ I'd only known of Camp as a writing partner for Billy). Burnette's energetic rockabilly grooves are perfectly balanced by Camp's more subdued, classic country leanings. The disc opens with "2007:A Bluegrass Oddity", a short, but spirited, update of the 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY theme, then segues into an easy-going, relaxed version of "Don't Be Cruel." Camp's vocal has just the right amount of twang, while the instrumentation ~ particularly the banjo and mandolin! ~ is crisp and clean. Next up is Burnette with a spirited take on "All Shook Up." Billy's vocals are always top tier, but there seems to be an extra dash of joy in them here, as if he's really getting a kick out of covering a song that (so beautifully) returns him to his roots. Camp once again takes the lead on "Little Sister." With an arrangement that's quick paced and upbeat, and a vocal that's smooth and confidant, this cut has you tapping your toe just minutes into it (pitch perfect harmonies from Burnette only add to the magic). Burnette's vocal on "Jailhouse Rock" is brilliant, but it almost gets lost in the frantic arrangement. I really wish the guys had gone with more of a classic rockabilly groove; as good of musicians as these guys all are, it's almost too much of a good thing ~ sort of a harried bluegrass jam session! ~ and, as I said, Burnette's vocal (sadly) ends up taking a back seat. That back porch jam vibe surfaces once more on "Good Rockin' Tonight." Camp's vocal is up front and so, so fine, while Burnette's harmonies cushion the lead vocal like a velvet pillow. Add an arrangement that's economical, yet spritely, and you have one of the album's best cuts! The same could be said about "Burnin' Love." Everything comes together in perfect harmony on this track: Burnette's lead vocal is one of his best to date, while the arrangement is well thought out, yet at the same time surprisingly fresh and spontanious. The instruments each have their own moment to shine, but it's never forced or cliched. Sweet! Next we have the cut that most caught me off guard. "Are You Lonesome Tonight" has become somewhat of a joke over the years, due in large part to Elvis Pressley's rambling live versions of the mid-70's. However, Camp's version is absolutely lovely, restoring a delicate vulnerability that has been lost over the years. With a vocal that falls somewhere between Hank Williams, George Strait and Vince Gill, Camp caresses the lyrics ("Do the chairs in your parlor/Seem empty and bare/Do you gaze at your doorstep/And picture me there?") with genuine pain, heartache and remorse. However, it's the spoken bridge that Pressley so famously mangled that benefits the most....sincere and raw, Camp's take reminds us just what an amazing song this is.....and always has been. "Big Hunk O' Love" owes as much to Bonnie Raitt's recent version as it does to any other, and that's a good thing ~ there's a sassy edge to Burnette's vocal that's intoxicating. The players all keep pace with him, resulting in a sly, sexy stunner. Another album high point! Sadly, "Mystery Train" suffers from somewhat of an unoriginal arrangement ~ by this point on the album we've heard all this before on earlier tracks! ~ but Camp still manages to provide a powerful lead vocal. The same can be said about "That's Alright Mama"....Burnette's lead vocal is exhilarating, as are Camp's harmonies, but I wish they had gone with more of a standard three piece set-up; just straight guitar/bass/drums (with maybe a little sax!) would have been a nice change of pace, fleshing the album out with even more depth and variety. Things bounce back nicely with "Hound Dog." Much like "Are You Lonesome Tonight", this updated version bubbles over with an energy and spirit that can't help but remind you what a true gem this puppy (no pun intended!) is! Camp's vocal is killer, while the arrangement is one of the disc's best. My favorite cut off the album! Things wrap up with an equally strong "Blue Suede Shoes", a song Billy Burnette was born to sing! Featuring a blistering lead vocal and energetic instrumentation, if this track doesn't have you movin' and groovin' by song's end...well, check your pulse, cuz you may have kicked the bucket an hour or so ago! So...if you want a good time, pick up THE BLUEGRASS ELVISES, VOL 1....it's A) a great way to revisit some amazing classics, B) features Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp at the top of their games and C) is an excellent way to pass the time until Vol. 2 shows up! (As with all my reviews, I am docking the disc half a star for not including the lyrics...providing them here would have only helped to remind everyone just how strong and timeless these songs really are).

5.0 out of 5 stars Had to purchase another copy, May 16, 2009

By	Lauralyn J. Theodore (Aurora, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We played this CD for friends - - who knew nothing of the two artists, but they fell in love with the music. Got them a copy, they listened to it all the way from Colorado back to their home in New York.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not even released yet!, September 9, 2007

By	Greta R. Houston "Gretarenee" (Arkansas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I haven't receieved this cd yet, but I can't wait! Shawn Camp has elvis channeling through him or something, I have seen a little of it before this album! This is a must-have cd!