Music review: Elvis Presley- ëƵIf I Can DreamëƵ
Long live the King!
Nearly 40 years after his death in 1977, Elvis Presley once again returns to the music charts. ëƵIf I Can DreamëƵ features a flawless blending of the entertainerëƵs original vocal recordings reworked with the lush and elegant accompaniment of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The stirring orchestration gracefully breathes new life into 14 Presley classics that showcase the singerëƵs unforgettable voice.
It seems everyone is a Presley fan to some degree or another. My first exposure to the cultural icon occurred while viewing his comeback performance aired on NBC in 1968. While I may have only been four years of age at the time, I can still fondly recall being in awe of PresleyëƵs stage presence performing hits like ëƵHeartbreak HotelëƵ and ëƵHound DogëƵ and thinking that this guy with all the swagger and charm was certainly one of the coolest dudes IëƵd ever seen.
A spirited version of ëƵBurning LoveëƵ opens the album as the added strings feverishly propel PresleyëƵs passionate singing to a higher level of excitement. In addition to the added orchestration, the refreshed material gets some additional assistance from other artists. Italian pop trio Il Volo adds some vocal assistance on ëƵItëƵs Now or Never,ëƵ Michael Bublé partners with Elvis on ëƵFeverëƵ and Duane Eddy provides the guitar work on Simon and GarfunkelëƵs ëƵBridge Over Troubled Water.ëƵ
My personal favorite track on the album is a touching version of ëƵCanëƵt Help Falling in Love,ëƵ which was also played during the first dance at my wedding reception. Other highlights include a dramatic rendition of ëƵYouëƵve Lost That Loving Feeling,ëƵ a stellar version of James TaylorëƵs ëƵSteamroller BluesëƵ and an inspirational cover of ëƵHow Great Thou Art.ëƵ
Priscilla Presley serves as an executive producer of the album and keeps the memory of her former husband alive and well through this special project that she has stated he would have always wanted to do.
For her devotion to making his dream a reality, I simply say in my best King impersonation, ëƵThank you, thank you very much.ëƵ