[Dixielandjazz] Diggin' Elvis

[JimDBB@aol.com]

The only way I can justify this post to the List is to say that Elvis 
genuinely liked Dixieland Jazz and had some in at least one movie and on 
several recordings.  Years ago when Elvis was in full bloom, I, life most 
jazz musicians, despised Elvis and demeaned him at any opportunity. I 
considered him a musical lowlife and, of course, I was jealous of him because 
most women loved him.  I'm more recent years I came to appreciate him, partly 
because when one puts aside jazz prejudices, Elvis's great talent is 
undeniable.  Also, in part, to a great jazz guitarist who also does great 
Elvis and in so doing got me to see different shades of him.  

I recently rented a DVD from Netflix titled, "Elvis, this is the way it was." 
 This turned out to be a marvleous look at Elvis in rehearsal and in concert, 
cira 1970.  Elvis had given up live performances for several years while 
making movies and this film is about his reentry into live shows.  It starts 
out with a loose rehearsal with his regular piece group.  This is a lot of 
fun as E is very loose and has fun with everything. Throught the rehearsals 
it becomes clear that E knows what he is doing. He even plays some decent 
piano at one point.  At another rehearsal he goes over his numbers with the 
12 backup singers and again he knows what he wants and imparts this clearly 
and easily.

Elvis' great charm, his sense of humor, his ear, his voice, his lack of 
pomposity and all are very evident.  His back up band is extremely good and 
consist of 3 guitars, electric bass, piano and drums.  A larger band and 
sometimes strings are added for permormances.  His back up guys seem to be 
very close to him, they are very low key and defer to him with a rapt 
attention.  His lead guitarist, James Burton and his drummer, Ronnie Tutt, 
are both superb.  Tutt deftly catches every move of Elvis and they have a 
great rapport in rehearsal and on stage.   Tutt is very impressive in 
performance as he matches every move and plays some dazzling breaks which 
accompany E's more audacious gyrations.  Elvis, during a song, will often toy 
with the drums to see if he can out move him but Tutt never misses. 
Tutt, Burton and the group lay down a hell of a groove that is a mix of Rock, 
R & B and a bit of country.

This is as tight a group behind a singer as I have ever heard, regardless of 
style.  Burton's guitar licks and solos are masterful with a great bluesy 
feel.

The live show segments are from various shows during this 1970 tour.  Elvis 
gives everything he's got in every show and everything about it is very 
impressive and very enjoyable.  I kick myself for not appreciating Elvis when 
he was around.

Jim Beebe