Rubberneckin [Single, Import]

Paul Oakenfold, Elvis Presley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single, Import
• Label: Bmg Int'l
• ASIN: B0000B193F
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #545,027 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

CD > POPULAR MUSIC > ROCK

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stop, look, and buy it!, September 11, 2003

By 

Carl Savich (Detroit, MI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rubberneckin (Audio CD)

RUBBERNECKIN was originally a B side on the DON'T CRY DADDY single, was in Elvis Presley's last feature film, CHANGE OF HABIT, and appeared on the 1970 Camden album ALMOST IN LOVE. Recorded in January, 1969, the single was considered by Elvis and RCA as not good enough and a throwaway. The song languished in obscurity until Paul Oakenfold remixed the song in a Radio Edit and Dance mix. The results are remarkable. Elvis never sounded funkier. RUBBERNECKIN is a funky record no matter how you slice it. The problem for Oakenfold was in trying to top the original version, which is also included on this release. The original was so strong that all Oakenfold could do was to make it contemporary and add new sound effects without radically altering the impact or feel of the original. Oakenfold just had to stay out of the way and let Elvis do the heavy lifting. The original features a funky lead guitar solo, a funky bass line, and incredible backing vocals by the female singers who grunt and scream and punctuate Elvis' vocals. There are also horns.

What Oakenfold does in his remix is to bring Elvis' vocal in greater focus and relief, giving a clearer sounding delivery. He also mixes out much of the background vocals which tends to weaken the mix. But he adds a stronger drum beat and varied sound effects that give the record a contemporary feel and a dance beat. What is conspicuous in the new mix is a twangy guitar sound which achieves mixed results.

Oakenfold adds enough to the original record to make it contemporary and to give it a dance rhythm. He pretty much stays out of the way and lets Elvis carry the load. The record shows that Elvis was second to none when it came to funk and sexual swagger. James Brown has nothing on Elvis here. We now know why Elvis was shown only from the waist up on the Ed Sullivan show. No one could match Elvis' swagger and the menace that he implied. No one. That is why Elvis was dubbed the King of Rock and Roll, because no one else could even come close.

Stop, look, and listen! Listen to an unjustly overlooked Elvis funk masterpiece. Elvis never sounded so good. RUBBERNECKIN is highly recommeded.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Encore For Elvis, September 27, 2003

By 

Mike King "Mike Vegas King" (Taunton, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rubberneckin (Audio CD)

"Rubberneckin'" was the hit song from Elvis Presley's last feature film, "Change Of Habit." As the B-side of "Don't Cry Daddy," it reached #11 on the charts way back in December of 1969. With the staggering success of the remix version of "A Little Less Conversation" from last year, it's only natural that another Elvis song would get the remix treatment. It may sound sacrilegious to Presley purists, but I like the remix version of "Rubberneckin'" even better than the original version! In fact, I like the extended remix version most of all. That version really features the twanging guitar part near the end. If that isn't Duane Eddy playing the guitar, some guitarist is doing a great impersonation of him. By updating Elvis Presley's sound, it introduces his music to a new generation of fans. For older fans of Elvis like myself, this CD single whetted my appetite for the upcoming "Elvis: 2nd To None" album.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Remix and Something for everyone...., September 21, 2003

By 

P. J Parrish "Pamela Parrish" (Columbus Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rubberneckin (Audio CD)

This CD is a great example of how far we have come in the tecnical field. The song sounds great even with all the tech synth backdrop... this way we get more Elvis... I am glad that they included the original recording on the CD too... Elvis had a style that was revolutionary... This CD proves it! Rubberneckin is one of my all time favorite Elvis songs.... He rocks!