Go, cat, go
Elvis was only ever as good as his backing band. Yes, he’s an icon, and yes, that cat could sure sing, but without some killer session men, he tends to sound listless and lugubrious. Fortunately, on his debut, his band are a force to be reckoned with. With such luminaries as Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer on support duty, Elvis’ legend was on the rise. When Elvis calls out in “Blue Suede Shoes” ‘Let’s go, cats!’ and ‘Rock it!’ they kick into simmering rockabilly solos. The energy is contagious, it’s the action cover image come to life, rock and roll in its excitable youth. That is where the album (and Elvis) is most effective, when he lets loose and swings with his band at full power.
Admittedly, some of these songs have been done better by their originators, such as Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman” and Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” but there is such energy and vibrancy to spare on this album it’s easy to forgive. The pop ballads like “I’m Counting on You” and “I Love You Because” don’t do any favours, but the country/R&B hits that he made into rock and roll are sharp and invigorating. It’s a primal thing, they sound like the kickin’-est roadhouse band ever with one of the most expressive, unique vocalists the world has known, it makes you want to toss back your bourbon, hit the floor and dance the night away with mad flailing of arms and shaking of legs.
The album itself is not sheer gold for all its historical import, but it is a damned entertaining set of songs with some blinding highlights. The 2005 edition includes six essential additional tracks from contemporary singles, including Elvis’ very own smash Charlie Feathers-esque blues tune “Heartbreak Hotel” and ballsy rock and roll standards “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and “My Baby Left Me” which goes to make it a rather more formidable package.
84% => ****
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