Elvis is the the most iconic musician of our time, and along with Barbie, Superman, Mickey Mouse and a few others, perhaps the biggest icon of our time.
This January, I did a series of 12 posts called The 12 Days of Elvis, and it touched on a few people who were inspired by the man, from all areas of life. To be honest, that series post could have went on forever.
For those that missed it the first time, here's The 12 Days of Elvis
Yes, yes. I am sure I'm leaving stuff out, up to and including the man himself.
well, what are you gonna do? Report me to the Elvis Cops?
Anyway, this is how you end a two-week Elvis tribute:
Love this video. I never realized it was from a movie, but always thought it was wonderfully strange. "I'm going there, but I like it here... wherever it is"
Even after a major motion picture starring Jim Carrey, I still have to explain who Andy Kauffman is.
Andy (and Elvis, for that matter), if you're out there reading this blog, this is for you.
When the inevitable films and directors conversations come up, generally the top of my list is Jim Jarmusch and Mystery Train.
Now, while I don't expect everybody to like Jarmusch, he does do it for me, and Mystery Train is probably as accessible as he gets. It is also a film I could watch over and over again.
When you have Screamin' Jay Hawkins, the voice of Tom Waits, and Joe Strummer as a leading man, you really can't go wrong.
So, for the tenth day of Elvis, have some Jarmusch.
Fun fact: The Part of Elvis's ghost here is played by Steven Jones, who was once Paula Jones's husband.
Interestingly enough, I've drunk just enough tonight that I am really feeling this vibe:
Lest we lose steam, I fully intend to finish this series, whether anyone is reading it or not.
I suppose I could easily go with Dread Zeppelin here, but I am going to go with El Vez.
Fun Fact: El Vez was an opening act for Morrissey, which is only logical, I suppose.
Personally, I am not a big fan of the music. I guess I don't get worked up over parodies, in general, so maybe that is what it is.
I am a fan of the Man. El Vez is someone everyone seems to know of or heard of, even if they couldn't name any of his songs, or even knew his voice. He has maintained this sense of celebrity for being the "Mexican Elvis", and it is sort of just understood and accepted.
So have some El Vez:
Extra bonus track: Mmm hunka-hunka pancakes.
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garbagecanmusic possibly could be involved) and as such, we may be doubling up our 12 days of Elvis. Regular service will commence on Monday.Well, while it is not my favorite song (thought the lyrics are ace), if you're going to have the 12 days of Elvis, you just have to have this, don't you?
I'm not going to say that I gyrate like this in my living room when I listen to the Smiths, but I am not going to exactly deny it, either.
Bonus track: Also, the Twelve Days of Elvis is as good and logical of a place you will find to mention this.
I think "Can't Help Falling in Love With You" is a great song. Elvis, UB40, you name it, it's a great song, no matter who does it.
I also love Zooropa/Achtung Baby U2. I, in fact, may be the only American who holds that era of the band in such a high esteem. Satan as an aging lounge singer= brilliance.
So, no wonder, I think the following video is incredible. Does it get any better? There is such a sense of melancholia in this song that is not equaled anywhere.
For the record, Chuck D has had some nice things to say about Elvis since then.
Blender is doing one of those silly things where they are trying to "determine" the greatest rocker forever. As if you could compare Pink Floyd to James Brown, 2Pac to the Stooges, and Sly Stone to REM, and make any kind of sensible judgement.
Recently, they had the Smiths vs. Public Enemy. I think you know where I stand. Still, their point was that a thousand bands copied the Smiths, but no one had what it took to try and copy Public Enemy. Good point, I suppose. There could only ever be one Public Enemy, and their early albums are tour--de-forces.
So although Television could use a lot less Flavor Flav, the world could use more Public Enemy.
Your Bonus Video Track is Black Elvis (by which, I'm talking, not about this black Elvis, or even this black Elvis, but of course, Kool Keith)
Anyway, I liked them, and in particular dug the eponymous first album with "Johnny Come Home", and of course this song:
I do have to say I like the original a whole heckuva lot, too, even if it is definitely more Fat Vegas Elvis than Skinny Sun Records Elvis.
Once in awhile, YouTube lets you down.
This is one of those occasions.
Their only clip of "Elvis Is Everywhere" is the snipet from Beavis and Butthead. (Sadly, there is no "Debbie Gibson is Pregnant with my Two-Headed Love Child." Fortunately, a search for Mojo Nixon does reveal a video of "Burn Down the Malls", a hi-quality live "Tie My Pecker to my Leg", and a totally unrelated, but cool snippet of Bill Murray in "Where the Buffalo Roam".
It was good though, that I couldn't get what I wanted, because I got what I needed (which was to remind myslef of the genius of Mojo Nixon.)
It also led me to Mojo nixon's reading list which is top-notch, and can be found here and here.
It also led me to look for Mojo's Bootleg Shack (Turn yer volume down if you are at work or sensitive to language) and it is here.
Worth noting: Mojo has a Sirius show, and more importantly, Andrew Lloyd Webber is ther new anti-Elvis.
Unverified Mojo Anctedote: I knew someone who went to see Mojo, and got there early, and saw him at the bar. He said he was a Mojo fan and offered to buy Mojo a shot of whisky. Mojo was so drunk, he said if I even look at more whisky, I am going throw up.
- Mood:
Elvis needs boats!
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