Archive for November, 2008
ON THE ROAD WITH E NOVEMBER ’08
by eddie on Nov.16, 2008, under E
Hey out there!
Eddie O'Rourke with friends at The Pointe Restaraunt Jersey City NJ
This past Sunday, November 2nd, I performed at one of my favorite NJ venues, “The Pointe”. A trendy nite spot right on The Hudson River. With the lower Manhattan skyline as my backdrop, and assisted, center stage, by the members of DJ Express, I presented my latest rendition of ” A Tribute To The King”. I opened the show with an arrangement of “Hound Dog” that deceptively begins slowly, but in the chorus revs up to the more familiar tempo. Next, another early Presley hit “One Night” really got the audience involved. And then, an Elvis tune from the jumpsuit era ” Kentucky Rain” followed by “Way On Down”, from the Moody Blue album. The dynamic and always popular “Hurt”, a short medley of “Long Tall Sally” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ “, at break-neck speed and the poignant song “Separate Ways”, written by Elvis’ friend Red West. “Suspicious Minds” is a song requested often and consequently winds up in many of my concerts. After a program of more than two dozen songs, I closed with “Viva Las Vegas”. Invariably, this one usually gets the crowd out of their seats and singing along. I wonder if the Viva Viagra tv ad has anything to do with the response? I just know I’m gonna sing the wrong words one night…”The King” would be amused. This was a very strenuous performance. Exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. I don’t need an exercise routine folks…THIS IS IT!! It’s how I remain slim enough to fit into the expensive jumpsuits.
Now, I pose a question to all of you. And I truly would appreciate some feedback on the subject. I’m always searching for little devices to keep the show fresh. Not an easy task when folks expect so many familiar tunes over and over. Often, when I hear contemporary songs, I wonder how they might sound performed Elvis-style. I’ve seriously considered adding a “WHAT IF” segment to my show. A chance to bring the Elvis treatment to songs of the 21st Century. What’s your opinion?
HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!! Eddie aka “E”