Take This Tune

Posted: Monday, March 22, 2010 by Travis Cody in
17

Before we get to this week's edition of Take This Tune, I must post the traditional welcome in honor of the first day of spring.

Spring has sprung
The grass has ris
I wonder where
The birdies is
...Bulwinkle J. Moose

It wasn't such a happy first day of spring at the Travis & Pam abode on Saturday, as we had our first skirmish with a very large NCELM (Nasty creepy eight legged monstrosity, or spider for short).

One more quick announcement...we're live from Hollywood tonight as Season 10 of Dancing with the Stars premiers!

Now, Take This Tune is a feature hosted by my pal Jamie at Duward Discussion. Jamie puts up a video prompt complete with lyrics to the song, and the task is to find another song or to write something inspired by the title of the song or something in the lyrics.

I really enjoy participating in Jamie's feature because of where the prompts take my thoughts and emotions. This week's prompt is the song Black Velvet, written by David Tyson and Christopher Ward, and performed by Alannah Myles. The song is a tribute to Elvis Presley.

I love the song. Ms Myles has that smoky, sultry voice I so love in a female singer. Her voice fits the song perfectly.

Elvis was the consummate performer. He seemed to instinctively understand how to invite an audience into the song with him. His vocal range seemed unlimited. He mastered the early cadences of rock and roll, scared the bejeebus out of countless parents with his gyrating stage movements, brought scores of teenage girls to tears with soulful ballads, and mesmerized the masses with his soaring gospel offerings.

In a movie career generally mocked for the silliness of the teeny bopper films he made, his acting ability is often overlooked. But if you check out his performances in Jailhouse Rock (1957), King Creole (1958), and Flaming Star (1960), you'll see his potential as an actor.

Howard Thompson, in his NY Times review of King Creole, said of Elvis, "As the lad himself might say, cut my legs off and call me Shorty! Elvis Presley can act. Acting is his assignment in this shrewdly upholstered showcase, and he does it."

Walter Matthau co-starred in King Creole and said of Elvis, “He was an instinctive actor...He was quite bright...he was very intelligent...He was not a punk. He was very elegant, sedate, and refined, and sophisticated.”

Elvis Presley was a monumental talent.


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17 comments:

  1. I think he was pretty cool... loved his rendition of Always on my mind

  1. King Creole is my favorite of all the Elvis movies. It had an excellent cast that brought out the best in a young performer, a great score and was based on an a very good book, A Stone For Danny Fisher that I had read before the movie was ever made.

  1. DWTS! I can't wait. It should be a interesting line up of talent.

    Absoutely loved Elvis in everything.

  1. Akelamalu says:

    Elvis was THE KING!

  1. Linda says:

    "Suspicious Minds" and "Kentucky Rain" are my two favorite Elvis songs. Can't say that I ever really watched any of his movies, though I'm not quite sure why other than probably my parents wouldn't let me!

    Looking forward to your first DWTS post!

  1. I know of a 4 year old girl who just LOVES Elvis movies. It's kind of funny & very cute. :)

  1. Marsha says:

    My fav didn't make the list...I love 'Kentucky Rain' (even in spite of the destination of our 'former' coach). Boy I hope he LOSES big time.....no, I don't hold a grudge you say...not at ALL!!

  1. Marilyn says:

    I can't remember ever watching an Elvis movie... this makes me want to.

  1. Anonymous says:
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  1. SO many did not see his potential...in acting..no one can argue the man was a star with his voice

    Guess what? I am posting this just as DWTS begins

    chills up and down my spine

  1. Dianne says:

    I'm so excited for the first show!!

    Just had to tell ya that

    later ...

  1. Travis, I'm a lifelong Elvis fan, as in I used to stand on my toy box and sing to Elvis records. Beautiful set list. Strangely, tomorrow is the anniversary of my dad's passing, and he loved Elvis' version of How Great Thou Art, so we chose that hymn for the recessional at his funeral.

  1. Anonymous says:

    OMG! I remember Bulwinkle! I was just trying to tell goodnight about Rocky and Bulwinkle last week! I remember that poem, too!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Jut remembered the rest of the poem:
    "They say the birds is on the wing.
    Ain't that absurd?
    I always thought the wing was on the bird."

  1. Great songs Travis. I listened to them all! I tagged you for the Hershey's Better Basket Blog Hop. Come check it out! :)

  1. Terra: I enjoy most of his work.

    Jamie: It's been ages since I saw the movie. I enjoyed watching some of the clips on youtube.

    Pam: After last night, it looks like a competitive group.

    Akelamalu: He was!

    Linda: Those are both among my all time favorite Elvis songs too.

    Lana: That does sound cute.

    Marsha: I understand about the grudge thing!

    V: Agreed. And they forced him to keep making the same silly movies over and over again to sell records. It's a shame that we don't have more of a legacy of his acting.

    Dianne: And zoooom...she's out!

    Julia: I'm not much of a fan of gospel, but I do love his vocals in just about any medium.

    GGG: I forgot about that part!

    Mary: I'll cruise by and check out the tag!

  1. Hubba hubba and all that stuff.
    The older I get the more Elvis kinda creeps up on me like some legend I'd forgotten about...until someone like Jamie reminds us!