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El Gamble, Newmarket Music, NEW3231-2, 2007 Australia's legendary El Gamble releases another hit album!
The many highlights include Rock A Hula Baby infused with an infectious, up-tempo energy; Please Don't Stop Loving Me, a rare and as sung by El Gamble, beautifully rendered ballad; and the emotionally desperate and underrated classic soul track, Any Day Now. The brothers Gibb must have been pleased when Elvis sang Words live in Las Vegas and they will be well pleased again as El Gamble gives it another heartfelt treatment. El Gamble is renowned for his ability to select the right tracks for each of his albums. I particularly liked the inclusion of You'll Think Of Me, another rarely sung but classic Elvis track originally overshadowed on release as a single by its flip side, the legendary #1 smash hit, Suspicious Minds (which itself also gets a guernsey on the album). El Gamble finds the seminal core and power of both songs - each of which is a listening pleasure. And of course no contemporary El Gamble would be complete without at least one of Elvis' gospel recordings. In I Believe In The Man In The Sky El Gamble again shows why he is the most genuinely versatile of Elvis tribute artists and why that remarkable "Elvis voice" has real potency. There is not one weak track on the album and fans liking Elvis' 1970s recordings are well catered for with the inclusion of an echo infused Never Been To Spain, and the powerful ballads You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling and It's Impossible. One of Elvis' lesser known singles, It's Midnight, receives deserved treatment with interesting vocal and pacing intonations, while the beat of Big Boss Man exudes an experienced bluesiness which reverberates long after the song has finished. The album closes with the latino flavoured You''ll Be Gone, a track written by the trio of Red West, Charlie Hodge and one Elvis Presley! The use of echo chamber on a number of tracks adds musical impact and resonance to the album. Memories of Elvis is characterised by El Gamble's customary powerful and professional delivery and his crisp and clear vocals. Each of the 20 tracks is distinctive, and as a total package Memories of Elvis lives up to its title both in the quality of its fine music and the wonderful memories it invokes. Verdict: If you buy only one tribute artist album this year you will find it hard to better Memories of Elvis. It showcases El Gamble at the top of his game and demonstrates why the artist is recognised as one of the world's greatest Elvis vocalists. Track listing: 1. Trouble 2. Devil In Disguise 3. G.I. Blues 4. Rick A Hula Baby 5. Please Don't Drag That String Around 6. King of the Whole Wide World 7. She's Not You 8. Paralysed 9. I Believe In The Man In The Sky 10. Any Day Now 11. Proud Mary 12. Never Been To Spain 13. Words 14. Suspicious Minds 15. It's Impossible 16. Big Boss Man 17. It's Midnight 18. You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling 19. You'll Think Of Me 20. You'll Be Gone For information on Memories of Elvis and El Gamble contact (in Australia) 1 300 732 863 (International) +613 9763 6600 Click to comment on this review Read more about El Gamble "In The King's Shadow" (CD Review) In The King's Shadow "The Rock 'n' Roll Years" (CD Review)
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