the one I see the most is the fat, bloated, Vegas-Elvis, and it seems America loves this side of Elvis too with all the impersonators and whatnot. Probably because this era of his life is so easily marketable.

That image of Elvis always makes me sad. The image of Elvis I love is the the Comeback Special Elvis in the Black Leather suit. Right after that special, he did the last set of great recordings of his career, songs that just leeave me stunned every time I hear them:

Suspicious Minds, Kentucky Rain, Burning Love.

Dave Marsh called these songs "hillbilly soul music," and I'd be hard presed to disagree. One of my favorite bar memories is seeing a septugenarian Maltese man shimmy on his barstool to "Suspicious Minds." I remember my mom telling me mournfully of Elvis death when I was 6, and my Aunt telling me of my Dad's "Elvis phase," at his 60th birthday party.

(I know I yousendit too much, but I couldn't let the kid from Memphis be memorialized by that abomination)

Also, this tribute to the King from contemporary LaVern Baker is great, too. All that cross-racial flirtation across songs musta raised some eyebrows in the 50's, I'll bet. Plus it's a cheeky answer song. Especially since "Little Sister," refers to LaVern's "Jim Dandy." Quite a conversation these two had going.

I should say that I don't agree with the bloggers assessment of Elvis. It's just a recording you might not get to hear any other way.

I didn't figure you did, but it's the man's birthday, so he deserved some positive remembrance, too.

much like love honour and obey
all gansters are singers

about the song versions, not the elvis
although--