'200 Cadillacs Soundtrack'
- CD review -
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"superb
new music release"
(by
Piers Beagley, January 2004)
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The
CD starts with Elvis declaring "I suppose you know I've got
a lot of cars.."
This
is the perfect beginning for a fabulous & fun cruise through
a delightful selection of songs about the life & myths of
Elvis Presley, and I haven't been as impressed with a new
CD in a very long time.
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Including
songs from the excellent '200 Cadillacs' DVD this is a wonderful
mix of Country & Western, Blues and Rockabilly. The songs all have
an Elvis connection and many of them feature lyrics that capture
the fascination of Elvis' life perfectly in just three minutes!
Rex
Fowler, who conceived & produced the DVD, features on 5 tracks and
proves himself to be a very talented composer. Other tracks are
by Carl Perkins and even Paul Burlinson, Mavis Staples with Levon
Helm (of the classic group 'The Band') are represented with their
excellent bluesy take on 'Hound Dog'.
While
you might not be familiar with some of the newer bands, all the
songs fit perfectly together and made me want to investigate them
further. Some tracks reminded me of the fun of The Dixie Chicks,
while other songs hint at the wonderful story telling of Chris Isaak
or Sheryl Crow. I also
felt the rockabilly vibe of Brian Setzer & The Stray Cats at their
early & best.
The discovery of Carl Perkins' unreleased version
of John Hiatt's 'Memphis In The Meantime', with its delicious 'Mystery
Train' feel, is also a great find.
Heather Eatman captures a poignant
moment in 'Too Tired To Be Elvis', The Cucumbers will get you dancing
with 'Blue Cadillac', while Jon Pousette-Dart grabs a perfect slice
of Elvis history in 'Running With Elvis' - "Running with the King
at the height of his rein, was like trying to hold on to a runaway
train."
From
the first track '200 Cadillacs', via Syd Straw's brilliant tale
of sorrow and jealousy 'Listening to Elvis', through to the finale
'Shine A Little Light' this is a fabulous journey worth driving
through again & again. This is perfect cruising music and I often
found myself laughing out loud at the fabulous lyrics while coasting
through Sydney's beaches, hi-fi turned up loud, in my purring Pink
Cadillac.
Check
out these classic lines from Rex Fowler's '200 Cadillacs'
"He
loved his cadillacs, they were his gift of choice. He
bought his Mama one, paid for it with his voice. Yeah, it was pink
of course, Just like in baby now, 'Let's Play House'"
and from Syd
Straw's 'Listening to Elvis'
"My Baby ran out to some bar in town,
Some big mouthed drunk was making jokes, putting Elvis down. My
baby gave him fair warning, everybody said. But when he sang 'Don't
Be Cruel', my baby lost his cool, and shot him dead!"
Rex
Fowler has been performing with the band 'The Aztek Two-Step' for
more than two decades and proves what a talented, insightful songwriter
he is as well as a great singer.
Do
check out their 200 Cadillacs CD website for lots more information.
As Rex sings in the finale "Let's shine a little light on Elvis
and appreciate the price he paid"
Verdict:
This CD is thoroughly recommended to anyone with an interest in
Elvis, good story-telling and great music.
Buy 200 Cadillacs
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