(Cyrus Chestnut, piano; Dezron L. Douglas, bass; Neal Smith, drums; Mark Gross, soprano & alto sax on tracks 3 & 6)
Let me say right off I’ve never been an Elvis fan in any way. But this CD has knocked me out. It’s an audacious project that I don’t think any other jazz performer has tackled previously – a pure jazz exploration of 11 songs made famous by the immortal rock n’ roll pelvis shaker. Chestnut comes out of a strong gospel music and blues background which of course was part of Elvis’ inspiration as well. So perhaps in very different ways these two performers have something special in common.
Heartbreak Hotel is for me the masterpiece of the album. Chestnut gives us a big time Romantic concerto with an impressive tremolo opening statement. The tune is turned into a sort of roots music/black spiritual. Nothing short of spectacular! Not being an Elvis follower, I didn’t know half of the tunes, but I love what he does with those I did know. Hound Dog is a kick and a half. Don’t be Cruel swings to beat the band. Like Chestnut himself said of this project: “I don’t need to recreate Elvis. There are impersonators that do that. I listened and here is my take on it.” Man, he’s got it. Why haven’t any other jazz artists thought of this before?
TrackList: Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel, Can’t Help Falling In Love, Love Me Tender, It’s Now of Never, Don’t, Graceland, Suspicious Minds, Heartbreak Hotel, In The Ghetto, How Great Thou Art.
– John Henry
