The other night I could not listen to this song - it scared the hell out of me. Maybe it was the wine. Still, it is a very strange song.
from Gris Gris
30 Apr 04 ·n-jeff: A well scary song, I have seen a funk version (it must have made the UK charts it was on an early 70's top of the pops) that is fantastic, plus Chers slowed down version almost a rock monster with horns instead of metal guitars. And a great 80's synthesizer version by the Flowerport Men, with Doctor John on Hoodoo growl. Every one of them a great way to give tripping hippies the frights.
A quasi-psychedelic throwaway from one of Elvis' later, cheesier movies. This song in particular gets a bad rap because it's presented in an ultra-campy dream sequence with groovy go-go dancers writhing and a man pouncing about in a dog costume. But I'm addicted to the song itself, which has a gorgeous arrangement with harpsichords, punchy trumpets and pillow-soft backup vocals by The Love Generation (who also sang on The Partridge Family's hits). And Elvis' vocal performance is more gutsy than you would imagine at this stage in his career. Worth seeking out!
from Live A Little, Love A Little (RCA) available on CD - Command Performances - The Essential 60's Masters 2 (RCA)
27 May 04 ·n-jeff: Funnily enough for a long time this was the only song I could remember from the film, which we have on vid. It was only after we got the "Oceans 11" OST that I realised "A little less conversation" was from a later party scene.
So at this stage of his career, Elvis was actually making some pretty groovy music. And I love the cheesy dream sequence, too.
Late 60s mellow sunshine pop with amazing vocal harmonies, composed by the legendary Roger Nichols with lyrics written by his long-time partner Paul Williams. A very gentle, breezy and light tune, due to excellent arrangement/production by Nick DeCaro and Tommy LiPuma with a delicately sounding trumpet playing the main melody. Like many Nichols songs, it's soft and mellow while being full of longing and melancholia at the same time.
