How do you rate Elvis as a balladeer?

[ricardo b. prospero]

The name Elvis symbolized popularly fast tempo rock and roll music his trademark. When Elvis shifted gears and started singing ballads, a lot of people just could not believe his versatility. He suddenly project a different angle of his talents because he sings almost all kinds of music with uncanny ability that differs him from the rest. I love his ballad singing because he do it with sincerity and honesty. If you listen to some of his best recorded ballads you can almost feel like he was serenading you. I believe he is one of the best balladeers of all times. y)

[ksimms2]

I love his ballads more than his other stuff.....I am not a big fan of his early music. Although I like it - I'd much rather hear his late 60's - early 70's stuff.....the ballads for sure....but of course I love Burning Love/Way Down....those have great beats to them...Polk Salad Annie.....but am a bigger fan of his ballads.

[marijaep]

This is one of the main reason why I like Elvis; He sang so many different kind of music genres and there's always something for everyone!

I love the 50s fast songs...amazing

But, the ballads were something different...He sure knew how to sing them
Elvis was a great, great ballad singer

[Diane]

I think he was absolutely tops as a balladeer.

Diane

[elvisia]

Elvis sure was a great ballad singer and I believe that he loved to sing them, because he sang them all with so much passion. Remember, that the first 4 songs he ever choose(and payed for) to put down on record actually was ballads.
50`ballads like "Is it so strange", "I was the one", "I`m counting on you", "First in line".... well, I could go on, but they are among some of his finest ballads. To me, he could might as well be called the "king of ballads" right from the beginning.

Elvisia

[KPM]

i think it was his weak point in the 50s-but as he matured and his voice expanded it became his strongest point.

[King_Creole]

No one could approach, or sing a ballad as good as Elvis Presley ...

Not that Elvis was bad or less effective in singin other types of music, but, IMHO, He was the ultimate balladeer !!!

[rickb]

i rate Elvis very highly, particularly from 69. His emotion in a ballad has never been bettered
rick

[medleyofcostumes]

I agree. Elvis' voice improved as they years went by and Elvis' singing of ballads became more warm and powerful. Unfortunately, there were many strong ballads available for Elvis to sing in the 70's that he didn't.

For those who love Elvis the balladeer try:

'My Boy' live from 'Big Boss Man' cd (30.3.1975)

and

'Are you lonesome tonight?' from 'Lost Preformances' video (9.4.1972)

[kathy parkinson]

If you have heard Elvis sing Loving Arms you will know how good he is singing ballads

[jatta-tcb]

oh.. i love his ballads.. he did it well in the 50s, the 60s and the 70s.. and especially I love his ballads in the 70s because there was so much emotion in the songs... and Elvis really made the songs perfect.

and someone mentioned the year 1969..oh yes.. that is one of the greatest year. there were so much power in the songs too..but in the end the songs became more emotional and there were a meaning too in the 70s.

[iamhekev]

2nd to none...Play ANYTHING THATS PART OF YOU,and there is your answer.

[rocknroll]

As far as vocal ability goes, there has been almost no one that could approach him as a ballad singer. But, then I think that of all the type of music he performed.

[ricardo b. prospero]

You are absolutely right iamhekev, try to listen to Elvis singing "Anything that's part of you" using an earphone and you will be amazed how Elvis delivers this great ballad with all feeling and honesty. He is simply different and versatile because he can project with ease the meaning of the song he is singing. A real great talent.

[Dovey]

2nd to None, is the best answer I have seen. Thanks iamhekev. Dovey

[ilovelvis]

Elvis could sing anything, but ballads really showed he had one of the best singing voices of all time. In my opinion, the best singing voice of all.

When I hear someone new sing, their voice has to be somewhat good (in my opinion). If I don't like the singer's voice, it ruins a song for me. James Blunt is a good example. You're Beautiful is a great song, but his voice just ruins it for me. I know he's popular, but for the most part, if I don't like the singer, it's hard for me to like a song. Elvis is by far the "best" singer of all of my favorite artists.

[Vissie]

I prefer Elvis' ballads. I love all his music but when he sings slow.. it makes me melt.

[EnigmaticSun]

'That's All Right Mama' was probably one of the first up-tempo songs he ever did sing. I suppose Sam Philips recognized the commercial potential of it, although I do like 'I Love You Because' and 'Harbor Lights' as well.. Remember 'Old Shep' was one of the first songs he ever did.

From an emotional perspective, I think Roy Orbison, Roy Hamilton, Bing Crosby and Jim Reeves could give Elvis a run for his money, so to say. I don't get to hear such rich, warm, deep vocal tonality nowadays. That's why some might say I'm somewhat of an anachronism.

That's for popular singers. Some classical singers are overrated, but there are those who could have given Elvis wonderful education I'm sure.

[Wendy56]

Elvis was (is) the best in every genre he sang...

[hounddog]

Elvis is the best ballad singer without a doubt. He just got better at it. I really love some of his early and mid sixties ballads. his voice was just so smooth.