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Elvis Presley – Way Down in the Jungle Room – RCA/Legacy – vinyl (2)

by Audiophile Audition | Aug 30, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Elvis Presley – Way Down In The Jungle Room [Tracklist follows] – RCA/Legacy 88985318111 – stereo double vinyl, TT: 76:40 ***1/2: Vinyl release of Elvis Presley’s last sessions is welcome, but at times disappointing! (Elvis Presley – vocals; James Burton – guitar; Charlie Hodge – guitar; John Wilkinson – guitar; Chip Young – guitar; Jerry Scheff – bass; Glen Hardin – piano; Tony Brown – piano; David Briggs – piano, electric piano; Bobby Emmons – electric piano Ronnie Tutt – drums; Myrna Smith- vocals; J.D. Summer & The Stamps – vocals; Kathy Westmoreland – vocals; Sherrill Nielsen – vocals) In America, there was only one king, Elvis Aaron Presley. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley moved to Memphis and eventually signed with Sam Phillips’ Sun Records label. He became the cultural symbol of Rock and Roll. With songs like “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Love Me Tender” he became a superstar. The rockabilly backbeat and rhythm-and-blues alchemy mesmerized American youth. More importantly, his electrifying television appearances elevated him to iconic status. Every teenager (including Bob Dylan, John Lennon and effectively all rock stars) wanted to be him. His ascension signaled the passing of the torch from establishment figures […]

Roy Orbison – One Of The Lonely Ones – Universal – vinyl

by Audiophile Audition | Jan 29, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Roy Orbison – One Of The Lonely Ones – Universal 00602547233042, 33:43 [12/4/15] stereo vinyl ***: Previously unreleased 1969 album surfaces on vinyl. (Roy Orbison – guitar, vocals; plus many others) Roy Orbison is an intricate part of the original rock and roll landscape. His rockabilly structures share a common bond with Southern-based artists like Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins. His inspiration was drawn from the pathos of country music. Songs like “Only The Lonely”, “Pretty Woman”, “Crying” and “Blue Bayou” were heartfelt revelations with a personal message. Orbison remained vital into the Sixties. But like a lot of American rock and roll stars, the British Invasion pushed them aside. It was more than ironic that the very musicians idolized by British rockers, became its most notable casualties. Orbison, whose “near-operatic” twangy tenor had no equal pushed back on this and continued to record and tour. In 1965, he left Monument Records and signed (an alleged $1M deal) with MGM records. While not as commercially successful, Orbison scored 12 MGM-era singles, 10 studio albums and maintained relevance. There were dark times for the Kentucky singer that included the death of his wife (in a motorcycle accident) and a second tragedy […]