292. ELVIS IS BACK! by Elvis Presley
When I previously covered Elvis Presley it was with a compilation record. However, this 1960 album is a record in the truest sense of the word, at least as much as it can be when you're talking about Elvis - he never actually wrote any of the songs he performed. Actually, he's listed as a co-writer on two tracks (out of like 600) but otherwise all his songs, all his hits were written by others. But that doesn't take away from what he accomplished during his career. In fact, maybe if he had composed his own songs we wouldn't be referring to him as the King of Rock and Roll today.
There are a couple reasons why I picked this album to cover. When he came back from his two years of service in the United States Army this is the record he recorded and released. Hence the title. More importantly, though, I really love the last two tracks. They are a couple of very bluesy numbers that I find myself playing over and over again. He also plays his guitar on both these songs. I don't know about you but when I have a mental image of Elvis performing, it's never with guitar in hand, rather it's with hips gyrating (Elvis the Pelvis of course). The fact that he would be censored and only shown from the waist up when performing on TV back in the 1950's seems unimaginable today, considering where our collective world culture is now.
Getting back to the music, absolutely start out with the last two tracks - 'Like a Baby' and 'Reconsider Baby.' 'Like a Baby' has a sax line that I can only describe as sleazy - just listen to it and you'll know what I mean and, hopefully, love it as much as I do. 'Reconsider Baby' also has great sax and piano parts and this odd drum fill at around 2:30 that somehow feels out of place and just right at the same time. Continue on with 'The Girl of my Best Friend.' Every time I see that song title I can't help but think of The Cars' 'My Best Friend's Girl' (covered here). I guess Elvis played hooky on the day they were teaching when and how to use certain types of possession in grammar class. End with 'Thrill of Your Love' - I really like the plaintive sound of his vocals in this song.
