IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Elvis takes time to sign some autographs.

VIVA LAS VEGAS TV SPECIAL

Tonight I am going to talk about the TV Special that came on last year called Elvis Viva Las Vegas. The show was to focus on Elvis in Las Vegas. Elvis' friend would talk about being there and such while some of today's stars performed some Elvis tunes. Man, nothing gets me more excited than listening to someone kill and Elvis classic! Anyway lets start with the documentary side of the show. It was alright but nothing special. To any real Elvis fan it was nothing new with no new insight. They only touched the surface of the history that city and Elvis shared. Basically it was Elvis was out of the loop in the 60's, Elvis came back in Vegas, Elvis was the biggest thing in Vegas up to that time, Elvis went downhill, Elvis got caught up in drugs. Blah, blah, blah, same old shit man. I guess for the casual fan or someone who doesn't really know Elvis and his time in Vegas it would be somewhat informative. To me it was nonsense and there was so much more that could have been talked about. The usual suspects were on there from the Elvis circle talking. Joe, GK, and Jerry Schelling. The only Elvis buddies still in the good graces of EPE. Of course Priscilla was on there. Tom Jones actually spoke some on the show. That was interesting for the simple fact I have not seen Tom speak about Elvis and the time they shared in Vegas. Really though he just said we sang in his penthouse to late in the night. Not much more than that. I have never been big on Tom Jones or his music. Just never struck me and I have not been able to see the appeal in it even though many people think he is great. Some other people speak on Elvis and his impact such as 5o Cent, Beyonce, and Dewayne Johnson. That was cool I guess. I liked seeing The Rock speak on Elvis because I know he is a really big fan.
Now for the performances. I am not going to go into detail about every performance. I just didn't like many of them. Though I can't take many people singing any Elvis songs. Some though were just really bad. Maranda Lambert singing Jailhouse Rock was awful! I am sorry, I am sure some people find her talented but she need to leave one of the greatest rock songs ever alone! Instead of the raw out of control feel that the original offers, this has a sloppy somewhat country/pop about it. Though some of the songs I did like a lot. Chris Isaak and Brandi Carlile did a version of Don't Be Cruel that was pretty good. I think Chris Isaak is great and the song had a real good feel about it. Also The Little Willies with Norah Jones did a version of Love Me. Now if anyone else to ever walk the earth had been singing this song I would have been freaking out. Love Me is one of my favorite songs ever. Though Norah Jones is one of my top three favorite artist ever and she did a great job on this song. It was wonderful and it is a version I listen to quite often. Elvis' version is still a lot better, but she puts a great spin on it and it is very enjoyable. Now the only other song on the show that I liked might surprise some. It was In The Ghetto with Three 6 Mafia. It was actually a rap song they did with a nice beat from In The Ghetto that used Elvis' voice in the chorus. I am not a big fan of rap but I do like a few groups and artist a lot. I have been down with Three 6 Mafia since high school. They are from Memphis and some of the baddest producers/rappers ever! I would much rather hear a rap song with Elvis singing the line "In The Ghetto" then hear some hack butcher the real song.
So overall I do not rate this very high but it was worth buying for me just for the three performance's mentioned above which I loved. The information contained on here is alright but if you see it keep in mind a lot of interesting stuff has been left out and it would be worth researching.

Check out Chris and Brandi singing Don't Be Cruel

I am finally getting around to watching my DVD of the special that came on awhile back about Elvis and Las Vegas. I watched most of it when it came on TV but I am watching the whole DVD tonight and I will post my thoughts on it in the next day or so.

Viva Las Vegas in Blu Ray is freaking awesome!

I got my copy of Viva Las Vegas on Blue ray today and I am watching. I was wondering if it would be that much better looking but thought it would be worth a try. I am so glad I got it, It looks great! The colors just pop out at you, and Elvis never looked better. That Ann-Margret chick looks pretty damn good as well! The only other Elvis movie offered in the Blue ray format currently is Jailhouse Rock, which I will get pretty soon. I hope they come out with some more. I would love to see Blue Hawaii in this format, it would be stunning.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Elvis and Wanda Jackson. I am guessing this has to be sometime in 1955 by looking at Elvis' hair. The two dated for a short time but it was not serious. They did remain friends and Elvis was found of her singing. She was known at the time as the Queen of Rock and Roll and she sang a lot of rockabilly. One of her biggest his was Let's Have A Party which Elvis recorded for his movie Loving You in 1957. She also had a album come out a few years back where she sang some other songs of Elvis' and even sang about him. I have always liked her and she has spoke well of Elvis.

Off to Atlanta

Vince and I are heading down to Atlanta for the weekend to see the SEC Championship. Vince is a big Bama fan and I live for Florida Gator Football. So it will be an interesting trip but a lot of fun, for one of us at least. If my man Percy shown above can somehow play I will feel a lot better and everything should be ok. See you next week.

DOLL OF THE WEEK

Elsa Cárdenas is the doll of the week. She played with Elvis in the 1963 movie Fun In Acapulco, which happens to be on of my favorites. She was fighting with Ursula Andress for Elvis' attention in the movie. She was a very hot lady for sure! In the early sixties she played in some American movies and shows but mostly before and since Fun In Acapulco shes only played in Spanish stuff. It is too bad cause she was a lot of fun to watch her.

EW concert event announced

The fallowing was found on elvis.com

“Elvis at the International, a Celebration Concert” reunites many of those who were on stage with Elvis in Las Vegas at the International Hotel" in 1969 for his historic return to live performances.40 years after Elvis Presley triumphantly returned to the stage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. will reunite many of the original cast for an Elvis Week 2009 concert celebration. Live musical performances along with video and audio will create a magical music experience that will be almost as exciting as being there in the summer of 1969.
The concert will be held during Elvis Week 2009 on Friday, August 14 at 8:00 p.m. at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, TN.
Performers currently scheduled to participate include; Joe Guercio, Elvis’ orchestra conductor for many of his Vegas performances; The TCB Band members James Burton and Glen D Hardin; Elvis’ back up singers The Imperials, including Joe Moscheo, Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus and Gus Gaches, The Sweet Inspirations, including Myrna Smith, Estelle Brown, Portia Griffin, and Millie Kirkham.
Additional vocals will be provided by Terry Mike Jeffrey and Andy Childs.
Other artists will be announced as their appearance is confirmed.
“This will be one of the most unique concerts we have produced,” said Kevin Kern, EPE spokesman. “We have an entire team researching all the elements that went into producing that show so we can create a completely new experience that takes the audience back in time.”
On July 31, 1969, the first night of what would become Elvis’ Las Vegas career opened to an invitation-only, celebrity filled audience. This was only the beginning of what would become a record-breaking run in Las Vegas that shattered all records and created a style of entertainment that is still seen today.

This sounds pretty neat and I will be there for sure. I just wish they would do one more concert with the whole band, Elvis and all. I only got to go to one before, during the 30th anniversary in 07. That was the coolest thing ever! Anyway this is already getting me excited for EW 09.

Sorry for the lack of activity the last week. With my birthday, the holidays, work, and other things I hardly had any time to get on the Internet. I hope to be able to get a few posts on here the next few days before I go out of town.