Concert Review: Rick Wakeman-The Even Grumpier Old Rock Star Tour

Rick Wakeman - The Even Grumpier Old Rock Star Tour

 In Concert At The Academy of Music - Northampton, MA

October 15, 2021

https://www.rwcc.com

 

Photo Provided By David Barnum

 

Rick Wakeman is a name synonymous with the terms “rock star,” “rock legend” and “keyboard wizard.” He has been around long enough to be tagged as the progenitor of those very terms. His time with various incarnations of the Yes group members, to prolific solo recordings dating back to 60’s, populates his immense cannon of work.

I have seen Rick perform with the classic Yes lineup and the 80’s lineup that featured Geoff Downes. I have been a fan of Yes and Rick’s solo albums for many years.

This was an event that held a lot of anticipation for me and I understood it was going to be just Rick and his keyboards. There was a bit more to it than that however, he told humorous jokes and stories in between each song. And quite honestly, I found nothing “grumpy” about it at all. That tag is definitely a hint at the kind humor this gent likes to share.  I got a good idea of this man’s sense of humor when I interviewed him in July 2020 shortly after the release of his fantastic album The Red Planet, which I had the opportunity to review as well.

The venue in Northampton is a beautiful and intimate seating arrangement. I have never been that up close with any of Rick’s performances. This particular performance gave me an opportunity to see his artistry in all its glory. In the purest sense of the word, Rick is a musical genius. How he remembers how to play all of those lengthy tracks like selections from The Six Wives of Henry The VIII and Return To The Journey of The Center of The Earth is beyond my understanding.  His brain is most certainly wired quite different than us average folk.

The opening track, “Seahorses,” was quite different than anything I had heard from Rick. It was a beautiful ambient arrangement and would not set the tone for what we would listen to going forward.  “Katherine of Aragon/Catherine Howard” was excellent, and the changes that those two songs went through boggled the mind.  The acoustic piano certainly has a way of interpreting songs quite differently, and there is no comparison between that and an electronic keyboard. Although there was an appreciative crowd in attendance, the response to “YES Medley: The Meeting/And You And I/Wonderous Stories” received a rousing round of applause. That did not take away a thing from his solo pieces, but I believe it was more of a familiarity thing for fans of Rick and Yes.

I really appreciated how Rick goes about his business on stage. Watching him play is really something. He works the keyboards with precision and each hand is doing something entirely different. The effect of that concise and rapid playing of the keys is astounding, and it comes out sounding like two people are playing.

                                     Photo Provided By David Barnum

 

I always counted Rick as the best keyboard player in the world and still do with Jordan Rudess right there with him. His level of musicianship and retainment of music is coming from a different level of insight than most. He has been in demand with artist such as David Bowie and Prince. This long line of musical partnerships is a rare thing in music and his output still continues with newly recorded selections and his busy schedule touring.

The one thing that caught me off guard was the need to provide proof of vaccination for COVID. I do carry my card so that was not an issue. What I was told by a staff member there was that it was city mandate and a necessity requested by the artist. I understand why Rick or any other artist would do it. Making music and performing is their livelihood and they cannot afford to be exposed to such a thing that could have dreadful and debilitating consequences.

If you are a fan of Rick Wakeman’s music and wish to see him in a more intimate setting and learn about his life in music, with the added pleasure of his distinct English humor, then I would highly recommend attending one these events.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-October 16, 2021

Setlist:

Seahorses

Morning Has Broken

Katherine of Aragon/Catherine Howard

YES Medley: The Meeting/And You And I/Wonderous Stories

Jane Seymour

Dance of 1000 Lights

Space Oddity/Life on Mars

Help/Eleanor Rigby

Merlin The Magician

 

My sincerest gratitude to Chipster PR for providing the passes to the show and David Barnum for the wonderful selection of professional photographs.

Book Review: A Genesis In My Bed – Steve Hackett The Autobiography

 

 
https://store.hackettsongs.com/products/a-genesis-in-my-bed-book

https://www.amazon.com/Genesis-My-Bed-Steve-Hackett/dp/1912782383

Hardcover: 210 pages
Publisher: Wymer UK (July 24, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1912782383
ISBN-13: 978-1912782383
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches

After many years Steve Hackett has released his autobiography. This version was the hardcover. A Genesis In My Bed – Steve Hackett The Autobiography was an easy rather quick read in large print and small pages.

I was glad to receive the copy for review and waited in anticipation for it to arrive. The one thing that surprised me as it will many other fans, was the brevity of it all. It seemed like he skimmed over things and quickly moved on to another subject. Even so, it was still an enjoyable read and appreciated the opportunity.

I found it an interesting read and felt he handled his relationships with the other Genesis members very diplomatically and lovingly actually. Most people were probably waiting for some juicy infighting stories, not in this book. Maybe another member will release an entirely different kind of viewpoint but don’t hold your breath these are proper English gentleman and they handle things differently than we do here in America.

So, I have to give Steve credit for keeping a lid on all the details of his relationships and how he tried to focus more on his childhood and development as an artist. You learn how he truly felt going through all the changes and taking the big step of leaving the band after Peter Gabriel’s exit to start his solo career (remember ...And Then There Were Three...).

An artist needs to fully express themselves with no boundaries, influence, or control from outside forces. This is the one fact that I think drives every creative individual, music or otherwise. It certainly seems to be a commonality amongst the arts community and the individuals that take chances, find their way and reap all the benefits of having the courage get past all the what if’s and naysayers. This is what typified Steve Hackett’s path to success.

Steve Hackett is a very busy man and a successful one at that and he has stood tall amongst his peers as one of the best guitar players in the world with a loyal following. When and if he ever hangs up his six-string, maybe then he will sit down and write a more detailed offering of his life in and out of music.

Until then fans have to take what they can get with A Genesis In My Bed – Steve Hackett The Autobiography which gives readers a lot more to know about the man and his music. So, look at it as a nice overview of an amazing career and be grateful he was willing to share what he did. I would have never had this kind of insight about Steve and his music without reading this book and I have gained more appreciation and respect for his accomplishments and what it took to get there.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
August 6, 2020

The Final On Vinyl Interview With Rick Wakeman

Jon Anderson Interview With The Final On Vinyl Podcast

Listen To My Interview With Jon Anderson As We Discuss His Incredible Solo Album 1000 Hands-Chapter One. It was quite an honor for me to interview the legendary vocalist/musician Jon Anderson of Yes fame and incredible solo work. Thank you kind sir for all of your time!

Jon Anderson Interview With The Final On Vinyl Podcast

Listen To My Interview With Jon Anderson As We Discuss His Incredible Solo Album 1000 Hands-Chapter One.

It was quite an honor for me to interview the legendary vocalist/musician Jon Anderson of Yes fame and incredible solo work. Thank you kind sir for all of your time!

Jon Anderson Interview With The Final On Vinyl Podcast

   

Listen To My Interview With Jon Anderson As We Discuss His Incredible Solo Album 1000 Hands-Chapter One. It was quite an honor for me to interview the legendary vocalist/musician Jon Anderson of Yes fame and incredible solo work. Thank you kind sir for all of your time!

Rock-Pop Review: Elvis Presley-Live 1969

Release Date: August 9, 2019

Label: RCA/Legacy Recordings

Website

Elvis, Elvis, and more Elvis! Live 1969 is a comprehensive 11 CD set for the ultimate fan base that exists and is continually growing.

Live 1969 features the release of eleven complete sets from Elvis’ August 1969 engagement at Las Vegas’ International Hotel. Of these performances, four are being released in full for the first time. That fact alone should raise some eyebrows in the worldwide community of supporters of the King’s legacy.

This also marks the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s return to the stage to perform after an eight-year absence fulfilling his movie obligations.  His Las Vegas residency at the International Hotel featured 57 sold-out shows and the live debut of his signature #1 hit “Suspicious Minds.” That track happens to be my personal all-time favorite as it captured the excellence of the band backing Elvis and his ability to command an audience and own the song. He also was able to cover other popular songs in his way giving an audience a complete view of his tremendous talents.

This deluxe package also includes a 52-page booklet with rare photos, memorabilia, and an oral history by Ken Sharp curated from historic interviews with Elvis, Colonel Tom Parker, Tom Jones, Jerry Schilling, James Burton, Cissy Houston, Terry Blackwood, George Klein, Fats Domino, etc. That is the icing on the cake for the live music fan and you have an opportunity to reap the benefits of first-hand discussions from his peers while taking in this massive collection.

I appreciate the music of Elvis Presley and to hear him come to life on this set gave me a new perspective of what a great performer he was. Even after being away for eight years he just picked up where he left off and thrilled every audience he performed for. 

There is some repetition in this set but I think most people would expect that with this much music. He did have his act and storytelling that went into his set but you will get some different setlists to enjoy and a bird’s eye view of what it was like to be there interacting with him. 

Live 1969 may very well be the ultimate live Elvis recording however I think you need to be a superfan to enjoy this to the fullest otherwise if you are a casual listener, that genuinely appreciated the artistry of The King, you would be well advised to listen to this over some time.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

December 29, 2019

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Rock-Blues-Psychedelic: Jimi Hendrix-Songs For Groovy Children (The Filmore East Concerts)

Release Date: November. 22, 2019

Labels: Experience Hendrix L.L.C., Legacy Recordings

Website

Come one, come all. Groovy children unite! Today we are talking about the king of guitar himself, Mr. Jimi Hendrix. His record company recently created a tribute box set called Songs For Groovy Children, which includes his classics and unreleased live performances across five CDs. The best part about live albums is that the artist can’t hide behind the vocal effects. There are no retakes, no breaks, and no time to think things over. It’s just the artist, the audience, and 10 feet in between.

Disc one is comprised of songs that we’ve heard before. “Lover Man” has an iconic riff that makes you wonder how someone’s fingers can move that fast. The smooth transitions in this song between sections and the sound quality of the electric guitar are crazy good. He pulls out all the stops with the tremolos, pickups, and loads of vibrato.“Bleeding Heart” takes us down south with soulful vocals and the bluesy bass line. It's the kind of song that you expect to hear in a dimly lit cajun-themed bar. “Izabella” has a lot of flavor to it. You don’t even have to like rock music to appreciate the raw talent of Hendrix’s playing.

Disc two has the bulk of new/remixed songs. “Changes” comes up on four of five of the CDs. Each version has a unique sound to it, almost like how a filter changes the tone of a photo. We also see different variations of “Stop,” “Power Of Soul,” “Machine Gun,” and a few others. “Auld Lang Syne” starts with a clip from the original song. The crowd goes wild as Hendrix starts to play his version of the song on guitar. The concert took place on New Years' Eve/Day, so it is fitting to include this one in the mix.

There is a Woodstock element to disc three. The songs were recorded in the ’70s, so it makes sense that they would have the authentic groove. “Changes” has a moment near the end where Hendrix preaches to the audience, and they go crazy with whistles and chants. He had a significant impact on people of all ages and continues to change young lives today. For the '70s, the live tracks sound like they were recorded in a professional studio. Yes, the Equalization is slightly off, but it's difficult to get it right with thousands of screaming fans in the recording.

Disc four has more of that cross over that we saw from the previous discs. I for one am a Hendrix fan and will never get tired of listening to his songs. It's a shame that he passed away at such a young age. It would have been incredible to see how far he could have come if he had lived another 50+ years. Hendrix took songs to new heights. "Machine Gun" has an interesting mix of colors in it. There isn't a great way to describe it. You would have to listen to it to understand it.“Steal Away” is more mellow in sound. It’s an easy-listening song that would be perfect for a busker to perform. Its simplicity is perfect for people who want to learn how to play a Hendrix song.

Disc five flows better as a set. "We Gotta Live Together" involves the crowd. They are instructed to clap their hands with the beat of the song. I love that Hendrix's team left in clips of his interactions with the audience. That is how you know that he was a true performer. A lot of acts nowadays don’t have the flair and style that Hendrix had. Hendrix puts a cool spin on his cover of "Wild Thing" by The Troggs. It feels less boy band and a more mature rock. "Purple Haze" is the last song you'll hear on the set. It is thought that Hendrix is referencing psychedelics in his lyrics, which wouldn't be a shock. It ends the CD with lyrics that give you something to think about. I guess that's why they call it "The Jimi Hendrix Experience."

Hendrix is beloved all around the world because you don’t need to speak English to understand the language of music. The dynamic range that comes from his guitar is insane. Though Hendrix wasn’t much of a singer, it is impressive that he managed to sing while he shredded. Most of Hendrix’s fans have their favorite songs and it was a smart move for his record label to release the best takes of his live songs. The 5-disc set (43 songs) retails for $60, and the vinyl set retails for $120. Each album has collector’s photos of Hendrix performing. It has been about 50 years since Hendrix passed away. His music is celebrated globally, and clearly, there is still a market for his songs. Jimi Hendrix is a household name. You can buy tour tickets to see other guitarists play his songs, and many people do. Which is a testimony that Hendrix is still changing lives from the grave.

Lily Clark – Berklee College of Music Intern
November 9, 2019
 
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Tracks:
12/31/1969 1st Set:
DISC ONE:
01. Power Of Soul               
02. Lover Man               
03. Hear My Train A Comin’       
04. Changes                
05. Izabella                
06. Machine Gun               
07. Stop                           
08. Ezy Ryder               
09. Bleeding Heart            
10. Earth Blues               
11. Burning Desire           

12/31/1969 2nd Set:
DISC TWO:
01. Auld Lang Syne%           
02. Who Knows%               
03. Fire                   
04. Ezy Ryder*               
05. Machine Gun%               
06. Stone Free               
07. Changes*               
08. Message To Love*           
09. Stop*                   
10. Foxey Lady                

1/1/1970 1st Set:
DISC THREE:
01. Who Knows               
02. Machine Gun               
03. Changes+               
04. Power Of Soul%                   
05. Stepping Stone%            
06. Foxey Lady+                
07. Stop%                   
08. Earth Blues+               
09. Burning Desire%               

1/1/1970 2nd Set:
DISC FOUR:
01. Stone Free%               
02. Power Of Soul#           
03. Changes#               
04. Message To Love#           
05. Machine Gun%               
06. Lover Man*               
07. Steal Away*               
08. Earth Blues%               

DISC FIVE:01. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)%       
02. We Gotta Live Together#       
03. Wild Thing%               
04. Hey Joe*                                          
05. Purple Haze*               

*previously unreleased
+ first time on CD/LP/streaming (previously only available as part of concert film)
#longer, unedited versions of previously released material, and newly remixed
% back in print on CD/LP for the first time in a decade, and newly remixed
 

Rock Review: Jesse Colin Young-Dreamers

Release Date: February 15, 2019

Label: BMG

Website

Before we take a deep dive into this record, I would just like to state that the album artwork on this one is great. It has a very traditional art style to it, and the winged heart instantly makes me think of the Bon Jovi logo. Young also has a nice looking website where you can not only buy his albums, but you can also pick up a pound of 100% Kona coffee. Rock music and Kona coffee? I’d say it’s the perfect equation for a morning on island time.

Now let’s talk about music. Dreamers is the kind of album that is good for listening to dockside, with a cold drink in hand. The songs range from folk-rock to blues-rock, to a 60’s rock. This album is definitely for people who like an older style of rock ‘n’ roll. “One More Time” gets the closest to that classic rock sound. From first listen, it has a similar beginning to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer,” and so it comes full circle.

“Look Over Yonder” has more of a blues root to it. He has incorporated horns and keys into the song, which give it that classic blues sound. It reminds me of the Sonny Boy Williamson II song “Help Me.” Young’s rock vocals give an edgier sound to the otherwise soulful blues rooted song. We also hear this blues-tude in the song “Cruising At Sunset.” The undeniable walking blues bass line kicks in right after the intro. If I had to guess, I would say that “For Orlando” is a tribute to the horrific shooting that occurred at the PULSE nightclub in 2016. With lyrics like “How do we face disaster? Bitterness, what comes after” and “We need to love each other, every sister/brother,” it seems that Young is sending the message that we cannot let another tragedy, like the one that occurred in Orlando, happen ever again.

There are only a few things that I would have changed about the album. In the mixing process, the vocals could have been made clearer and brought forward as the main focus. I think the lyrics are a little difficult to understand, but to be fair, I don’t typically listen to this type of rock music for the lyrics. Some of the songs are kind of slow for being a rock song, and an increased tempo would have given the songs a better groove, in my opinion. A lot of the songs are four to five minutes long, which is pretty long for a standard song in the modern world of production. Lastly, I think the rock songs were stronger than the blues songs on the album, and I would have loved for Young to end with these instead.

There is a good variety of genres and topics covered on the album. If you like rock music, this album is probably going to be up your ally. Or if you are going out for a day on the lake, I would pick up Dreamers, and maybe a pound of coffee, for an enjoyable escape.

Lily Clark – Berklee College of Music Intern

October 13, 2019

Tracks: 
01. Cast A Stone
02. Shape Shifters
03. Walk The Talk
04. For Orlando
05. Take Me To The River
06. They Were Dreamers
07. Cruising At Sunset
08. Lyme Life
09. Here Comes The Night
10. For My Sisters
11. While Texas Is Drowning
12. One More Time
13. On And On
14. Look Over Yonder

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Concert Review: YES Featuring ARW Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman

YES Featuring ARW Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman 

The Palace Albany, NY October 5, 2017

 http://yesfeaturingarw.com

Around this time 15 years ago I saw Yes perform in Albany. Then it was the classic lineup. How things change with the passing of time. Since then a lot has happened for the men involved with the legacy of this legendary band. Most significantly, Chris Squire, one the band’s founding members, passed away. The other musicians have remained active.

Now we have Jon Anderson (vocals), Trevor Rabin (guitar, vocals) and Rick Wakeman (keyboards and luminous cape) with Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Louis Molino III (drums) holding down the bottom end.

I sat in some excellent seats in the left orchestra section. The seats were so generously provided by Jamie Carroll of Press Here Publicity.  The Palace is one of my favorite places to go to a concert, it is beautiful and easily accessible from where I reside. I am very grateful for the opportunity to provide coverage.

Yes, is the godfather of Prog Rock as far as this music listener is concerned.

Oddly enough my favorite recording is 90125 which was their most commercial release and their biggest seller. Well, I was in for a treat because a few of those songs were played. I think because Trevor (who recorded 4 studio with Yes) was in the band for that album, it made sense to dive into those tracks. And speaking of godfather’s, Rick Wakeman is and always will be THE ultimate prog rock keyboard master. Everyone else came after him and was influenced in some way by the man.

I was amazed by how fantastic the band sounded, they exceeded my expectations, which were very high prior to entering the venue. Jon Anderson sounded great, as good as ever.  For a gent that is 72 years old he is truly an iconic and inspiring individual. His energy is so positive and he simply owns the audience.

“Cinema” kicked off the evening. This was a great choice to get the crowd into it right from the start. There was no problem with that. The place was packed, which came as no surprise to me. Mr. Rabin is a superb guitar player with a great vocal range as well. His vocals certainly compliment Jon’s and when he takes the helm it sounds powerful and commanding. Of course, Mr. Anderson has one of the most identifiable and unique vocal styles in the world and you immediately recognize no matter where the music of Yes is playing. This is a trademark style so impactful that it is hard to ignore

“Heart of the Sunrise” is a prog rock classic we are all familiar with and it just has to be a part of their set. It was not only done well, it was presented with perfection. Each member clicked as if they have been touring together forever. And I cannot forget to mention how the gents in the back of the stars, Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Louis Molino III (drums), were the quintessential rhythm section that held it all together. They deserve a lot of credit.

I realize their set list does not seem that extensive however we must remember this is prog and each song is musical workout that carries on a good 15 minutes or more with plenty of improvisation. That is the beauty of progressive rock and what I always found so intriguing.

The classic everyone knows, “Roundabout,” was the obvious encore and they did not disappoint. It was a bit shorter than I expected however, that is not a complaint just an observation. We certainly got a good dose of Yes music for the evening and everyone enjoyed the show.

Yes is timeless and legendary with a deep catalog that could keep them touring until they were all 90 years old. Although that is not realistic we all should continue to support them while they are still recording and touring. I will be there, you can count on that!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 6, 2017

Set List:
Cinema
Perpetual Change
Hold On
South Side of the Sky
And You and I
Changes
Rhythm of Love
I Am Waiting
Heart of the Sunrise
Awaken
Owner of a Lonely Heart

Encore:
Roundabout
 

Concert Review: YES Featuring ARW Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman

YES Featuring ARW Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman 

The Palace Albany, NY October 5, 2017

 http://yesfeaturingarw.com

Around this time 15 years ago I saw Yes perform in Albany. Then it was the classic lineup. How things change with the passing of time. Since then a lot has happened for the men involved with the legacy of this legendary band. Most significantly, Chris Squire, one the band’s founding members, passed away. The other musicians have remained active.

Now we have Jon Anderson (vocals), Trevor Rabin (guitar, vocals) and Rick Wakeman (keyboards and luminous cape) with Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Louis Molino III (drums) holding down the bottom end.

I sat in some excellent seats in the left orchestra section. The seats were so generously provided by Jamie Carroll of Press Here Publicity.  The Palace is one of my favorite places to go to a concert, it is beautiful and easily accessible from where I reside. I am very grateful for the opportunity to provide coverage.

Yes, is the godfather of Prog Rock as far as this music listener is concerned.

Oddly enough my favorite recording is 90125 which was their most commercial release and their biggest seller. Well, I was in for a treat because a few of those songs were played. I think because Trevor (who recorded 4 studio with Yes) was in the band for that album, it made sense to dive into those tracks. And speaking of godfather’s, Rick Wakeman is and always will be THE ultimate prog rock keyboard master. Everyone else came after him and was influenced in some way by the man.

I was amazed by how fantastic the band sounded, they exceeded my expectations, which were very high prior to entering the venue. Jon Anderson sounded great, as good as ever.  For a gent that is 72 years old he is truly an iconic and inspiring individual. His energy is so positive and he simply owns the audience.

“Cinema” kicked off the evening. This was a great choice to get the crowd into it right from the start. There was no problem with that. The place was packed, which came as no surprise to me. Mr. Rabin is a superb guitar player with a great vocal range as well. His vocals certainly compliment Jon’s and when he takes the helm it sounds powerful and commanding. Of course, Mr. Anderson has one of the most identifiable and unique vocal styles in the world and you immediately recognize no matter where the music of Yes is playing. This is a trademark style so impactful that it is hard to ignore

“Heart of the Sunrise” is a prog rock classic we are all familiar with and it just has to be a part of their set. It was not only done well, it was presented with perfection. Each member clicked as if they have been touring together forever. And I cannot forget to mention how the gents in the back of the stars, Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Louis Molino III (drums), were the quintessential rhythm section that held it all together. They deserve a lot of credit.

I realize their set list does not seem that extensive however we must remember this is prog and each song is musical workout that carries on a good 15 minutes or more with plenty of improvisation. That is the beauty of progressive rock and what I always found so intriguing.

The classic everyone knows, “Roundabout,” was the obvious encore and they did not disappoint. It was a bit shorter than I expected however, that is not a complaint just an observation. We certainly got a good dose of Yes music for the evening and everyone enjoyed the show.

Yes is timeless and legendary with a deep catalog that could keep them touring until they were all 90 years old. Although that is not realistic we all should continue to support them while they are still recording and touring. I will be there, you can count on that!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 6, 2017

Set List:
Cinema
Perpetual Change
Hold On
South Side of the Sky
And You and I
Changes
Rhythm of Love
I Am Waiting
Heart of the Sunrise
Awaken
Owner of a Lonely Heart

Encore:
Roundabout
 

Pop-Rock-Roots Rock Review: Elvis Presley-A Boy From Tupelo-The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings (3 CDs/Book)

Release Date: July 28, 2017

Label: Legacy / RCA / Sony Music

Website

The recordings of Elvis Presley remain as pertinent today as they always have. In fact, it is likely with each passing year that their importance goes up one more notch. His position in rock music goes without saying and there are still many new fans to gain. The release of these informative box sets has shed new light on one of our greatest performers.

This rootsy original music is the second version of a A Boy From Tupelo-The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings.  The three CDs and booklet capitalizes on his never-ending popularity.

This set puts together all the known existing Elvis Presley recordings from 1953 through 1955. A massive total of 53 studio takes and 32 live performances are included. These were the Sun Years and there is even cuts the man paid for himself. At this point that sounds ludicrous but we must remember he had humble beginnings as most artists did when they first started. The priceless masters released for Sam Phillips on his iconic Memphis label feature a treasure trove of outtakes and acetates. This set can claim rights to the “complete” set of that period. It was a monumental achievement to get all this music together and remaster it. Some parts are snippets put together piece by piece.

Something needs to be said for the generous book that is included with many rare pictures. It is the story behind the music. If you enjoy reading about the history of this legend then this will be a big plus while you are listening. The 119 pages come packed with notes on the beginnings of Elvis and his early career.

The most enjoyable thing for my ears was listening to the influence of country and blues intersecting with his quickly developing style and voice. It is simplistic music at times, yet his full-bodied vocals served as a separate instrument. His contributions were just enough to really appreciate all the instrumentation as well. You have to keep in mind that recording was in its infancy in comparison to today’s high-tech tools and enhancements. His voice was very mature so early on and you could hear how and why he was a shooting star once his music hit the streets. He went from a little boy watching the choir at church and trying to sing with them to an international super star in matter of years. Stories like Elvis are not something you hear these days and honestly there are not performers like him around anymore nor anyone to challenge his continuing popularity and legacy. I am still waiting for that day to arrive although realistically I am not very confident it will.

There is a lot of music and information to absorb in A Boy From Tupelo-The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings.  It is well worth the price tag if you are Elvis fan or a general music fan curious about the early career of such a legendary performer. If you listen to the popular genre of Roots Music you will hear how some of that music started on this set. He laid down the foundation for so much as so many artists that came after him. Elvis set many precedents and this music was a real treat when I first heard it. It can be very special if you are already familiar with his catalog and diverse career path in recording. Either way, there is a lot to enjoy here for any music fan or history buff.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

August 6, 2017

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