Customer Reviews

a Guitar for Elvis

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Music lovers across the board will want Elvis in their house with this CD. Are you ready to be swept up and dropped into a different space with each awesome and unique arrangement of these Elvis classics? This CD will take you everywhere. Starting out with pure fun from Pat Donohue on "All Shook Up" and moving into the first of two tunes by Al Petteway. Al never fails to please and will have you loving "Mystery Train" and a version of "Hound Dog" that will have you up and out of your seat! You want amazing melodies....when you hear Doug Smith play "Can't Help Falling in Love" he will have you absolutely wrapped up in his version of this classic. Of all the thousands of times this song has been covered, don't be surprised to find this your favorite, even without the lyrics!! Other wonderful melodic tunes include "Love Me Tender", beautifully done by Brooks Williams and "Are You Lonesome Tonight", with a folksy little feel from Jim Tozier. What's not to love about Laurence Juber and his amazing fingerstyle? Check out his always pleasing grooves on "Suspicious Minds", a definite highlight of the CD. There are fantastic takes on "Don't" by Tim Pacheco, "Loving You" by Elliot Easton, and Mike Dowling moves on "Little Sister"! The famous classical guitarist, Benjamin Verdery will surprise and delight you with a very unclassical version of "Don't Be Cruel". By the time this CD is nearing the end, you will be up and dancing around when you hear "Jailhouse Rock" by ace fingerpicker Eltjo Haselhoff and the best saved for last....the dynamic duo of Doug Smith and Mark Hanson will have you soaring and singing "Viva Las Vegas"!! By time this CD is over you'll want to start it right up again!! So much fun. James Jensen of Solid Air Records and Acoustic Music Resource have done it again with one of the best yet special compilation projects. Thanks guys!!

So, I got the CD and had to listen to it right away. I expected a lot and I got more than expected. Let's start with one of my favorite Elvis songs, "Suspicious Minds". Laurence Juber is AMAZING. That's right, AMAZING!! Paul McCartney was know dummy when he tabbed Juber for Lead Guitarist of Wings. His sound is so genuine and clear, I swear I can hear the words coming right off his guitar. Now, I didn't really know Tim Pacheco before this, but his rendition of "Don't", absolutely blew me away. Oddly enough, I wasn't even really a fan of "Don't" prior to this but somehow Pacheco's version has me mesmerized. I'm now a huge fan of Pacheco and "Don't". As of this writing it's tied for number 1 as my favorite song on this disc. But, let's face it, that changes the more and more I listen to the album. It's like picking your favorite child of 14. Benjamin Verdery gets your feet moving with "Don't be Cruel", as does Petteway's "Hound Dog" and Haselhoff's strumming of "Jailhouse Rock". With all of that being said, nothing matches the true beauty of Doug Smith's "Can't Help Falling In Love", what can I say? It's one of those songs that just takes you away. Turn the lights off and listen. Truly beautiful.

This CD is a great "guitar salute" to the king of Rock and Roll. If Elvis is turning in his grave, its only so he can hear better. I solute Solid Air Records for a job well done. My only complaint, why only 14? How about Volume II?

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of solid pieces on acoustic guitar. These renditions of Elvis hits are truly amazing. The talent on this album is some of the industry's best, adding their own personal touch to these favorites. The first tune is the lively "All Shook Up" performed by Pat Donohue, and lets you know you're in for a real treat with this album. Doug Smith's "Can't Help Falling In Love" is also one of my favorites for a beautiful melodic piece that strikes an emotional chord.

Admittedly, I was a late blooming Elvis fan. My first taste of The King (bedsides catching "Kissin' Cousins" and "Clambake" on the afternoon movies on tv) was when my little brother asked for his first Elvis LP for Easter in 1976.....and from that moment on, a fan was born.

No one sings or ever will sing like Elvis so the thought of hearing his songs without his voice wasn't something I had ever even really thought about....until now....A GUITAR FOR ELVIS rocks. And I believe Elvis would want his very own copy because it is just THAT good.

Revving up the album is Pat Donohue rockin' it with "All Shook Up" - the PERFECT opener to get the party started. "Mystery Train" is one I had forgotten about until I heard Al Petteway's version - WOW. Once again, the wonderful Doug Smith (who always seems to sound like his heart is doing the playing) delivers a most romantic and sensitive "Can't Help Falling in Love" and the incredible Laurence Juber hits it OUT of the park with his impeccable playing (as usual!!!) on "Suspicious Minds." "Don't" will bring tears to any fan of the slide guitar style when you hear Tim Pacheco's rendition. And speaking of "don't," don't get me started on Kenny Sultan and his bluesy rocking on "Heartbreak Hotel." Contagious! "Little Sister" is expertly executed (with a fun, naughty little edge to it) by Mike Dowling and Ben Vedery's contribution of "Don't Be Cruel" takes the listener (and totally delivers the goods) on some very cool and unexpected twists and turns. "Love Me Tender" is romantic and beautiful and thoughtfully played by Brooks Williams and another great Elvis tune I'd completely forgotten about was brought happily back to mind when I heard "Loving You" by Elliot Easton....just gorgeous. Al Petteway hits the second part of his double header with "Hound Dog" and Eltjo Haselhof expertly rocks the whole rhythm section with his amazing "Jail House Rock." This terrific album is capped off by the Mark Hanson-Doug Smith duet of the classic and infectious "Viva Las Vegas" which is a cool departure from their last collaboration on "Poppin' Guitars: A Tuneful of Sherman" - "It's a Small World"...showing, once again, their versatility and knack for fun and great teamwork.

LOVE this latest from Solid Air Records.....they NEVER disappoint, making their fans only champing at the bit for what's coming up next.

I dare you not to be humming Elvis for a week after listening "A Guitar For Elvis."

ROCK ON!! The King is smilin' down on this one.

There are several pretty good acoustic fingerstyle pieces here. Enjoyed some of the songs on the CD especially "All Shook Up" by Pat Donahue and "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Dough Smith. However, there are just too many blues fingerstyle version of Elvis songs and it's just showing off how good their licks and blues guitaring. Would prefer if the guitarisis could just stick to playing Elvis' great songs instead of showing off their guitar playing ability. They just muddle the King's great music and they end up as irritating guitar "noise" instead.