Unchained Melody
09-24-2008, 03:45 PM
According to the apparently irrational and tone-deaf message board heads, 1976 was not a very good year for Elvis. The most common comments are usually along the lines of him being fat, lazy and musically repetitive. At this particular juncture, if I may, I’d like to address and briefly dissect the above derogatory labels. Dare I suggest to the fat-phobics that on his worst day, Elvis looked better than most on their best! He could always tap into his vocal brilliance on command and the extra poundage couldn’t diminish the thrilling and unique presence of his aura.
Given Elvis’ physical and mental state during 1976 and 1977, one could surely make a very strong case against laziness. He worked at touring America with a fervor including stints in Vegas and Tahoe and managed to record more than an album’s worth of fine music all during these last years of his life. The “lazy” label no longer seems to apply.
Although Elvis’ chosen set-list of 1976 can be labeled repetitious, Elvis cannot! He never sang the same song the same way twice! This concept is exhibited and proven on “America,” the bulk of which was recorded in Omaha, Nebraska during the first part of 1976 and was intended to serve as a demo for the background singers. Despite the unbalanced mix, the disc is chock full of superb vocals by Elvis and with the ability to set aside the calamities of the mind and the obtrusive mix, concentration on Elvis is not only possible but required for optimum appreciation.
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/barile_take13.html (http://www.elvis-collectors.com/barile_take13.html)
Me, I agree with the points Steve makes. (y)
Given Elvis’ physical and mental state during 1976 and 1977, one could surely make a very strong case against laziness. He worked at touring America with a fervor including stints in Vegas and Tahoe and managed to record more than an album’s worth of fine music all during these last years of his life. The “lazy” label no longer seems to apply.
Although Elvis’ chosen set-list of 1976 can be labeled repetitious, Elvis cannot! He never sang the same song the same way twice! This concept is exhibited and proven on “America,” the bulk of which was recorded in Omaha, Nebraska during the first part of 1976 and was intended to serve as a demo for the background singers. Despite the unbalanced mix, the disc is chock full of superb vocals by Elvis and with the ability to set aside the calamities of the mind and the obtrusive mix, concentration on Elvis is not only possible but required for optimum appreciation.
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/barile_take13.html (http://www.elvis-collectors.com/barile_take13.html)
Me, I agree with the points Steve makes. (y)