I Am An Elvis Fan could only have happened in an age where everyone logs in their opinion on any and every subject. Legacy Records prompted 250,000 votes from over 20 countries via Twitter, Facebook and a website for fans to choose their top three Elvis Presley songs in seven categories – how many modern singers do you know have even three? – Gospel, In Concert, Love Songs, 50s, 60s, Country and Movies. From the results, they narrowed it down to a 21-song collection
You get “Don’t Be Cruel” going into the fantastic “Heartbreak Hotel” and rolling bass of “All Shook Up.” You’re reminded of the King’s fantastic voice and the competency of the players he amassed behind him. “Jailhouse Rock” is here, the slightly-too-sedate “Blue Hawaii,” the wavery “Viva Las Vegas,” “In The Ghetto” with one of the great Elvis vocals, and Jerry Reed’s playing on a cover of his “Guitar Man” that’s not to be believed.
Of the 21 tracks, four are taken from live performances – the sweet “Welcome To My World,” the slightly over-the-top “An American Trilogy” compilation by Mickey Newbury that Elvis used as his live show-stopper from 1972 onward, plus “Burning Love” and “Suspicious Minds.” The spirituals like “(There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)” and “How Great Thou Art” are next. I Am An Elvis Fan finishes up with a slightly different Elvis vocal on “If I Can Dream.” For a collection of songs picked by real fans, there isn’t as clunker in the bunch.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
