Oh wait, he’s dead. But why should that matter? First that Celine Dion duet on Idol, then "Viva Viagra," and now Amy Grant.
Dude, it’s gonna be a Blue Christmas…from beyond the grave.
Anyone else cringing at this idea? Speak up! (And I’m not bashing Ms. Underwood; in fact, I broke down and spent 99 cents on "Last Name" while I was writing this item. It’s true y’all!)
—— Forwarded Message
From: redacted at Sony BMG Music
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SONY BMG Music Entertainment Announces
The Release Of “Elvis Presley Christmas Duets” CD
Available October 14, 2008
First Elvis Presley Duets Album In History
(SONY BMG/NY/Nashville) On October 14, SONY BMG Music Entertainment, in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., will release the “Elvis Presley Christmas Duets” CD, which is the first Elvis Presley duet recordings album and the first Christmas compilation of its kind ever produced. This release marks yet another milestone in Elvis Presley’s legacy, 31 years after his death.
The CD will feature many of today’s biggest country artists, including Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson, Sara Evans and LeAnn Rimes singing classic Elvis holiday songs with Elvis Presley.
“There has been tremendous excitement from the many artistscontributing their voices to these Elvis Christmas classics. We believeElvis fans will truly enjoy these unique collaborations whileintroducing Elvis’ holiday classics to the many fans of his duetpartners,” says Joe Galante, Chairman, Sony BMG Nashville.
In order to create these classic “duets” Sony BMG used the mostadvanced and sophisticated audio technology available. For songs thatwere recorded on one track, mono, musical beds were created toperfectly match the instrumentation and arrangements contained on theoriginals. In the case of songs that have been recorded in multi-trackwhere Elvis’ vocal is isolated on a single track, the vocal was simplydropped for a given verse or chorus, making room for the duet artist.To be as faithful as possible to the original recordings, the fabledRCA Studio B in Nashville – the same studio that Elvis recorded the1971 original Christmas session in, was used.
“This is an excellent example of the innovative ways in which wekeep Elvis’ catalog fresh for new and existing fans, and continue thehistory of creating, preserving and celebrating his great music,” saysJohn Ingrassia, President of the Sony BMG Commercial Music Group.
"We are so pleased that these accomplished artists are collaboratingwith Elvis in this unique way to make exciting new versions of hisChristmas songs. I am sure Elvis would be proud to have worked withthem," says Priscilla Presley.
Elvis is one of the biggest-selling artists every holiday season,although he only recorded 20 Christmas songs, his various holidayalbums have sold over 25 million copies in the US alone. His existingChristmas releases are seen on the holiday charts year after year.
Track Listing:
Anne Murray- "Silver Bells"
Martina McBride- "Blue Christmas"
Little Big Town- "O Little Town…"
Gretchen Wilson- "Merry Christmas Baby"
Wynonna- "Santa Claus Is Back In Town"
Sara Evans- "Silent Night"
Leann Rimes- "Here Comes Santa Claus"
Amy Grant- "White Christmas"
Jennifer Nettles- TBD
Carrie Underwood- "I’ll Be Home For Christmas"
Comments (1-20) of 20 Add your comment
Well, you don’t expect that Priscilla’s freakish cosmetic surgery is just going to pay for itself…
Seriously, though, I don’t object to the album as much as I object to marketing projects like these as duets. If Sony were to say, “We’ve assembled some of today’s top country artists to record a tribute to Elvis’ classic Christmas Album. Each track on this special disc will also include samples from the King’s original recordings.” I’d probably be willing to accept the concept (though not buy the album – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it). However, marketing this as a duets album and using words like “singing with” and “collaboration” is just plain distasteful if not outright dishonest.
I have to say this is actually not as bad as it could be. With Carrie Underwood and the other singers listed, at least they are all pretty fantastic vocalists. It could be Elvis duets with a bunch of overproduced lack of talent singers, thats what I think would have him rolling over in his grave.
I hate it every time that they do this. Elvis left a wonderful legacy and his material stands on its own. His estate may believe that they are keeping his name alive with junk like this, but they are really making sure that his pure material gets diminished over time. He was totally unique–please stop cheapening that by this kind of nonsense.
I think it’s a horrible idea. Can not the music industry do better than this??? What a disrespect to Elvis and everything he worked for. Shame on Country music and anyone else who follows suit!
Wow…is this what Country music has come to? What a disgrace! I agree with the poster Mark. SHAME ON COUNTRY MUSIC for allowing such a thing to happen. Country music is spiraling down pretty darn fast with the crap that they do!
Jill … Is this what Country Music has come to? Not even close … Country Music, in my opinion, jumped the shark a LONG time ago. I fear it is only gonna get a lot worse and I’m not entirely sure it’s ever gonna get better. Since when did Country stop being County and start wanting to emulate POP?
This is an awful idea! I’ve never been a fan of dueting with the dead. (I especially hated the Elvis/Celine thing on “American Idol.”) How can this be allowed?
Hey Raven!! Please tell me what was exactly in the Celine & Elvis duet that you did not like? Was it that Celine Dion can not sing? No, that’s can be it. Was it that Elvis’ voice sounded too soft for her. No, that can’t be it, either. Was it that, contrary to what we often see in the media, that Elvis was not, after all, 300 pounds and a caricature of himself when he sang that song, in 1968? No, that can’t be either. Or was it perhaps that you don’t care for, or know enough about the music of either one of them, or of both, and, therefore, you just did what your heart automatically told to do, which is to tell your brain to feel that it was an awful idea? Or was it perhaps that, in the next day, when it was announced that US$67 million had been pledged, by viewers, that this awesome contribution, still unmatched, coming as it did from your dislike of either, or both of them, or the Emmy that particular episode got, the first ever for AI, was too much to bear? So what is it?
I’m interested. The Elvis/Celine duet was fantastic. And if Amy Grant is involved, I’m there.
I’m with Gaby – at least all of these women can sing. Just imagine if they had Britney or Rihanna on something like this…
This album will be absolute garbage, but it’s gonna top the charts over the holiday season, mostly because people are stupid and the studios know this all too well.
If Elvis were alive today, he wouldn’t even consider doing a duet with 95% of these women, he’d probably do one with Underwood, only because he wanted to bang her.
Complain all you want but… people will buy this. It’s a great marketing idea and elvis’s estate has not exactly been driven by the “purity” of the namesake’s art. And neither was he. And neither is “country music” or the music industry in general. Don’t be naive. It’s an INDUSTRY above all else. A twisted smoke and mirrors circus act of an INDUSTRY.
Besides, ole Prissy and Lisa probably want some new surgeries and this will do nicely to offset the losses. Just in time for the Scientology New Year’s Brunch!
*thump*
*thump thwip thump thump*
*BANG BANG tumble tumble THWACK*
Wait. What’s that sound? Do you guys hear that? OH YEAH It’s Elvis doing effing sommersaults in his grave.
Well, there IS a long history of this. Nat “King” Cole/Natalie Cole, Hank Sr./Jr.
None of the artists listed on the CD really offend me. Of course, I knew nothing of the Celine thing, but I lost my lunch the second I read it. Thanks, guys.
Sadly Elvis has become nothing more than a money making commodity.
Well — I am not sure how I feel. It is a bit creepy but kind of cool at the same time. I know there are a lot of Elvis fans who are happy to get anything ‘Elvis’ that they can. They feel that Elvis would approve. For more information about the upcoming release read http://www.squidoo.com/elvispresleychristmasduets and leave your opinion on the duel shaping up there! Brenda
Sounds fantastic. This will be a contender for the No.1 album spot over the Christmas period.
Couldn’t they pick better known singers to do duets with Elvis?
I’ve heard of Wynonna, Anne Murray and Leann Rimes but the others ?????
Hey Elvis is the King, give him duet partners that are superstars not has beens or who are they? singers
The Opening bars of Merry Chritmas Baby is the music used in the Viagra or Cialis commercials on TV for some time !! It was so familiar as I played this CD for 2 days and it just hit me!!