I have to be honest here, I was never, like, the world's biggest Elvis Presley fan... Don't get me wrong, I do like some of his stuff, and I'm not trying to be one of those hipster types who says they don't like the Beatles, or whatever... but he never quite shone as bright for me as for many others.
For example: the whole nutty world of Elvis Presley imitators, a musical demimonde I was aware of, but then all these records kept popping up in my explorations of "locals only" country and after a while I was, like, "Okay, fine...!" So here's a quick look at some of the folks who were the world's biggest Elvis fans, and their recorded legacies. Also, a few Elvis records for your consideration, with an eye (and an ear) for stuff twangfans might like...
Eddie Brandon "A Tribute To The King Of Rock And Roll" (Artco Records, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by Tom Hartman & Carl Warren)
Jim E. Curtin "A Touch Of Presley" (Curtin/Condo Corporation, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Jim E. Curtin & Dave Kenny)
One of the 43,083 officially licensed, state bonded Elvis Presley imitators in the United States of America in the year 1980. Because, yes, that was a thing. Jim Curtin was an Elvis acolyte from Pennsylvania, performing live on August 17, 1979 at a club called Palumbo's, in South Philly, with backing by two different groups, Astrix and Graceland. Alas, no details of who the actual musicians were, though it looks like a good time was had by all. Uh-uh-huh!
Elvis Dean & The Desperadoes "Pay Tribute" (Lark Records, 1979) (LP)
An Elvis Presley tribute singer from Alexandria, Virginia, running through a bunch of oldies from the Elvis canon... This was recorded at John Major's regional label, the Major Recording Company, which included the Lark label as one of its imprints. For the most part, Dean's vocals are a little bit higher-pitched than one might expect from an Elvis clone, but he does dip down into lower tonalities, and does seem to be tapped into the King's vibe... I mean, I don't really "get" this whole genre, but I have to confess this guy kinda won me over, largely through his innate enthusiasm and persistence. The backing band alternates between exuberance and rote performance -- all of which adds up to some pretty prime 'Seventies kitsch. Don't quote me on this, but this is actually kind of a fun little record.
Robert Dolan "The Robert Dolan Road Show: Beginnings" (Celery Records, 197--?) (LP)
(Produced by Dick Spencer)
An Elvis imitator who worked a remarkably broad swath of territory throughout the 1970s, mostly the upper Midwest, with dips into New Mexico and up into parts of Canada. I'm not sure where Dolan was from -- this private release gives an address for the label in Hammond, Indiana, although it was a souvenir of an eight-week gig at the Hilton Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska and was recorded at the Century Recording Studio in Lincoln. Backing Robert Dolan are Dave Asher (keyboards), Tony Pratscher (drums), John Taylor (bass), and Don Tucker on lead guitar. Like his live act, the repertoire draws from a variety of sources, but mostly centers on Elvis and his own pop and countrypolitan leanings. By the way: anyone know if this was the same Presley-impersonating Robert Dolan who lived in Colorado Springs?
Robert Dolan "Memories: An Encore Performance" (Road Show Enterprises, 1980-?) (LP)
An early-'Eighties recording, with Dolan still plugging away. Apparently he was still doing live shows at last as recently as 2010(!)
Orion - or is he?
Farley Parkenfarker "Farley Parkenfarker Plays Elvis" (Janus Records, 1978) (LP)
(Produced by Gary Black & Duke Kish)
An awkward set of instrumental pop/synth covers of Elvis oldies from keyboardist "Farley Parkenfarker," who previously recorded an really awful album of faux-soul novelty pop under the name of Okie Duke, and who was probably also an alias for producer Duke Kish. I'm not sure how much this goofy set of tunes will appeal to even the most diehard lover of Elvis kitsch... but you never know!
Elvis Presley "From Elvis In Memphis" (Sony Legacy, 2009)
A deluxe reissue of two albums that Elvis recorded in 1969, following his much-vaunted 1968 comeback concert... Here he was working with producer Chips Moman and "The Memphis Boys" studio crew some fine, funky, soulful session players who gave the King a solid modern sound... Times had changed a lot since Elvis made his recording debut back in 1950s-era Memphis, but Elvis had changed, too, and his louche crooning style fit well with the sexy R&B vibe pioneered by the Wrecking Crew and their generation. The 1969 album, From Elvis In Memphis opens with a funky R&B dazzler, "Wearin' That Loved On Look," which has a surprisingly modern, ahead-of-its-time sound; after this futuristic romp, the rest of the album dips into the past, with curious covers of standards like "Long Black Limousine" and Hank Snow's old hit, "I'm Movin' On," as well as a cover of John Hartford's "Gentle On My Mind," which was gaining currency at the time. The album that followed, 1970's Back In Memphis, also mixed old and new -- some of it seems outdated, some of it seems genius -- but in between came one of his biggest triumphs, the smash single, "Suspicious Minds," which is released here in the original mono mix, along with about a dozen other bonus tracks that were recorded in the same sessions as the album tracks. It's a cohesive, thoughtful package, a great reissue effort which gives a pretty clear picture of what Elvis was really up to at this pivotal point in his career. Good for fans and skeptics alike.
Elvis Presley "Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight" (Sony-BMG Legacy, 2009)
This fab 4-CD retrospective covers Presley's entire career, from his legendary first recording (a one-off vanity pressing of "My Happiness" which he paid to record as a gift for his mother) to the post-millennial dance remix of "A Little Less Conversation." In between there are the thunderous early rockabilly hits ("Heartbreak Hotel," "That's All Right," etc.) the goofy movie songs ("Blue Hawaii," "King Creole") a ton of sentimental ballads, a smidge of gospel, some toss-offs, some gems ("His Latest Flame," "Little Sister") and his post-1968 comeback hits such as "Suspicious Minds" and "In The Ghetto," and finally his glitzy years of Las Vegas self-parody and extravagance. It's a remarkable swath of American music, showing Presley's roots not only in African-American blues and hillbilly twang, but also a deep and abiding love of pure cornball romanticism and Tin Pan Alley pop vocals. Indeed, one of the striking things about Elvis' early years is the high proportion of non-rock material -- after all, the song he recorded for his mom was about as sappy as you could get, and he really, honestly loved that stuff. All of this is what made Presley one of the great American entertainers - he liked all kinds of music, and appealed to all kinds of fans. What we have here is perhaps the best single collection of his work (outside of some monolithic "complete recordings" set) which not only touches all the bases, but also digs deep and adds texture and nuance to the Elvis mythos. Sure, every Elvis fan in the world will lament the omission of a tune or two that they *wish* were here (where's "Clam Bake"??) but what is included is pretty impressive. A stellar overview of one of the world's pivotal pop artists... (and a real country boy, to boot!)
Elvis Presley "Elvis Country (Legacy Edition)" (Sony Legacy, 2012)
A twofer reissue of two roots/country-oriented albums Presley recorded at the height of the countrypolitan era, Elvis Country, and Love Letters From Elvis, both from from 1971. Super-duper over-the-top, cornball pop-country arrangements and weird, schmaltzy vocals from the King. He sort of sounds like Charlie Rich, but less sincere; the most interesting aspect of the Country album is the early '70s studio crew, which included several RCA heavy-hitters such as guitarist Jerry Reed, who added some wicked slide guitar on an otherwise lackluster cover of "Whole Lotta Shaking Going On." (I had to check the liner notes and make sure it wasn't actually Duane Allman playing lead...) Includes both then-current hits and then-classic oldies: if you ever wanted to hear Elvis sing "Snowbird," here's your chance.
