While watching tobacco and cotton fields pass by, I listen to an Elvis CD. He’s jamming with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. Their session, recorded without any editing, definitely has the feel of an unedited jam, talking, singing, laughing, mixing up the words and starting over. They seem like friends. The songs tend toward a blues, jazz mix with a strong influence of old time gospel. Many of the songs are unfamiliar. I recognize a few. The fun they have just singing, some joining in, not always together makes me think of the power of song during the days of slavery to lift spirits and bring people together.
Elvis stays on my mind. According to the story told at Graceland , he recorded so many songs, but wasn’t really a songwriter and sang songs of other writers. Another old friend and music coach of his told the story of helping Elvis reach some high notes. He said Elvis didn’t even sing on key when he began, that Elvis knew it. His success was in the passion that in his singing. What he lacked in technique he made up for in delivery and personality. Technical skill came with success. In today’s world of TV competitions for pop culture I wonder if Elvis could have become the next American Idol, or would he have been too ‘pitchy’ for Randy and Simon?
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