Customer Reviews

Symphonic Elvis

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As with Sinatra, it is difficult to judge songs associated with Elvis

being performed by other artists. They did not write their own music but owned songs penned by others. The Beatles wrote great music and renditions from all genres of artists is widely accepted. When we hear a song Elvis made famous, no matter how esteemed the performer, the song becomes a shell of itself; and only helps to bring back the memory of Elvis singing it. The Italian conductor Ettore Stratta and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra ambitiously produce this instrumental tribute. The standards of performance and engineering are high. To add authenticity to the mix. There are several musicians(incl. Boots Randolph on sax)that go back as far as 1954, the infancy of Evis's career. When you sum it all up, the whole project lacks one element. Elvis! His ghostly presence will forever haunt us, through his songs.

A fitting tribute to Elvis. He would have loved this album of his music. Boots Randolph is in top form on 'Heartbreak Hotel'. Also with the symphony orchestra are the likes of Charlie McCoy and Scottie Moore. Too bad it's not longer - could have had twice the material on a double CD.

This album is a real pleasure. Smoking instrumental arrangements of some of Elvis' greatest hits, with excellent solos by Boots Randolph, Charlie McCoy and others. The Memphis Symphony sounds like they were having a great time playing these tunes and the overall sound matches with power and clarity. A definite recommendation.