I’ve been listening to a podcast that focuses on Elvis as a musician rather than this cultural phenomenon and marketing machine and it made me find out about some crazy gems. This came out two months after the MLK assassination as a tribute. It’s a legit impressive soul song with crazy vocals by Elvis. Maybe people know this song, but I don’t think I did.
Yes. I’m really falling into an Elvis hole right now. I always knew there had to be something more there but I never took the time until now. I for example wasn't aware of this general difference between legit studio album Elvis and soundtrack Elvis and how it affected his overal discography. This is the podcast by the way: A Little MORE Conversation: The Elvis Podcast - Shane Tutmarc and Jason Brewer
If I Can Dream is one of my favorite songs of all time. Love all of the '68 special in general. Definitely need to check out that podcast.
Have you listened to From Elvis in Memphis, I assume? That was the record that really opened the door for me with him.
@cshadows2887 Aside from FEiM I listened to Elvis is Back and Blue Hawaii (the one soundtrack they recommend). The debut is still on my list, as well as some of the gospel stuff and that one country album. Anything else I should get to?
How do the regulars in this thread feel about also talking about Jazz/American Songbook singers in here? I know technically most of them belong in the Jazz Thread, but frankly this thread feels like a more appropriate place for it given what usually gets discussed there compared to here. I've been listening to Chet Baker's "Embraceable You" (recorded in the 50s, release in the 90s) again for the first time in years after I listened to a podcast about it. What a record.
I still have plenty to listen to myself. Elvis Presley and Elvis are both excellent. I like Blue Hawaii, but his soundtracks always seem to have a bit too much flab in my experience (though any album with "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" is always worth a listen). Not sure how you feel about compilations, but Elvis' Golden Records is a really great one. Wall-to-wall hits that I don't think are on any proper albums AND widely considered to be the invention of the concept of a greatest hits album.
Thanks. Yeah those guys on the podcast said that the soundtracks are mostly not worth it aside from Blue Hawaii. I will check out that compilation.
I realized that so many of the Wilson Pickett songs I love were made in the same studio by many of the same people as From Elvis in Memphis etc. There was something in the water there. American Sound Studio - Wikipedia
Wasn’t familiar with the studio but damn what a contribution. Even if all they’d ever recorded there was Dusty’s “Son of a Preacher Man” it’d be a place of legend.
So, I kinda got tired of doing the hip hop classics threads as it felt like they weren't really reaching anyone new. So thought maybe we could do some classics based on soul or funk classics instead for a while? I feel as if they may get more traction than the hip hop ones may. What does everyone think?
Couple weeks back, bought the vinyl for Experience Unlimited’s Free Yourself. Amazing album. Only available to listen online on YouTube but it’s a spectacular fusion of prog, funk, and go-go. A rare but flawless album from the mid 70’s. HIGHLY recommend.
And promotion of classics around these parts is awesome and god knows R&B, Soul, Funk, etc. have such an incredible wealth of amazing albums
Just think that some of the sensitive whiteys on here may be less offended by an Otis Redding album than they are at a 2 Live Crew album.
We never did to 2 Live Crew, we really should have Anyway, the R&B Classics threads were also desolate