Elvis vs Elvis

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

ok sorry about this i know its not beach boys related but it kinda is in a way, I need to play an elvis costello song and an elvis presley song for an upcoming show im doing, My knowledge of either elvis is not particularly good. I was wondering if some of you knowledgeable music folks could suggest some songs from these guys. Something off the beaten track and not too well known and if it has a beach boys influence or sound to it, well all the better. I know costello was influenced by the beach boys.

[Jonas]

Moving this to General Discussion

[Rocker]

Well, don't know about Costello but there's more great stuff with Presley than you could think off. What kind of feeling should it have? Do you need some ballad or rocking song?  If you're looking for a Beach Boys-influence, there's not very much of that, although many songs have nice harmonies and "Speedway" has a horn-arrangement quite similar to "City blues". But since Elvis began in the 50s and had his own style throughout you'll probably find more Elvis-influence in the BBs than vice versa.  "Love song of the year" from his '74 album "Promised land" comes to my mind right now. It's a lush ballad and has a little Beach Boy-feeling to it. I guess you don't want to use "Beach Boy Blues" from the "Blue Hawaii"-soundtrack

EDIT: Coincedentally I just made a CD for a friend of great Elvis-performances with many lesser known (at least to the public) songs. No bootleg-stuff or anything. Here's the tracklist:

1. My babe (live '69)
2. A mess of blues
3. Suspicion
4. Fever
5. Baby let's play house
6. Only the strong survive
7. Are you lonesome tonight ?
8. What now my love? (live '73)
9. You'll be gone (only song he ever had real input to as a songwriter, at least the only officially released one)
10. Ready teddy
11. Just pretend
12. Polk salad Annie (live '70)
13. Little sister
14. Love letters (60s Version)
15. I'll hold you in my heart
16. Surrender
17. It's midnight
18. Loving arms
19. Swing down sweet chariot
20. I can't stop loving you (live '70)
21. Power of my love
22. You don't have to say you love me
23. Crying in the chapel
24. Never been to spain (live '72)
25. It hurts me
26. That's someone you never forget (the idea and title of this song came from Elvis)
 

Maybe there's a title that you are interested in

[Roger Ryan]

My Brother Woody - so you're actually intending to perform "Elvis" songs, right? I mean, not just playing the records like a D.J.? As for Costello, a lot of his material is a bit daunting due to the heavy word-play. If you don't want to do "Alison" (which everyone does), I would recommend "Party Girl" from "Armed Forces" which is another great emotional ballad seldom heard. Costello is not one to wear a Beach Boys influence on his sleeve, but "The Other Side Of Summer" is clearly meant to sound like a BB record; also, the artist himself refers to "Favorite Hour" as his attempt to write a song in the style of "Surf's Up".

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

Thanks for the replies guys, their great and giving me lots of ideas, keep em coming. I will be performing the songs not djing them

[the captain]

From Costello, maybe try the gorgeous "Nothing Clings Like Ivy" off his 2004 "The Delivery Man." (That's assuming you have a harmony singer, too.) Or "Oliver's Army." Or "No Action." (The latter two are pretty well known, so if that's your goal or something to avoid, let it be known.)

[MBE]

On Presley there is a song called I'm Leavin' that is a great folk ballad from 1971. Other things you may like are the big production number Edge Of Reality from 1968 (many of the Beach Boys studio players are on it), the nice pop song The Next Step is Love from 1970, and the big choral sound of O' Come All Ye Faithful from 1971.
I hope this helps. I know next to nothing about Elvis Costello but his stuff from circa 89 with McCartney has a nice retro feel.

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

This is great guys, Im gonna get downloading some of the tracks mentioned and see how they work

[Rocker]

I forgot, you should get "The sound of your cry" by Presley. Great song, great performance

[CosmicDancer]

All of the Costello songs that have been mentioned would be great to perform.  If you are looking for a BB influence, definatley look no further than The Other Side of Summer.  Phenominal tune!  I would like to add to the mix two more songs.  Country Darkness off The Delivery Man album and You Tripped At Every Step from the Brutal Youth record.  You really can't go wrong on Costello tunes.

[MBE]

btw please let us know what songs you choose.

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

not 100% sure yet but i think its gonna be "im leavin" and "the other side of summer". still gotta learn them, its happening friday

[MBE]

I'm Leavin is a great choice! Let us know how it goes.

[Ron]

Let me be the first to say, you're kind of shooting yourself in the foot trying to cover EITHER Elvis, if there happens to be anybody in the crowd that's heard either song you're likely going to pale in comparison.  I am prepared to withdraw this statement if you happen to be Sting or Ron Isley or something. 

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

Let me be the first to say, you're kind of shooting yourself in the foot trying to cover EITHER Elvis, if there happens to be anybody in the crowd that's heard either song you're likely going to pale in comparison.  I am prepared to withdraw this statement if you happen to be Sting or Ron Isley or something. 

This is true, but the whole night is based around the elvis vs elvis theme so there will be 7 other acts trying to do the same thing so at least  i wont be alone...

[Ron]

One thing I've always found that works (when I'm just messing around with some friends or something and a guitar) is to not even TRY to make it sound like the original.  Totally flip it and then they can't say how boring it was, lol. 

[MBE]

The other thing you are doing right is by picking I'm Leavin' you aren't doing the sterotypical "Elvis" song. So just go with how you feel it.

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

This went well and was a lot of fun, thanks for all your help guys..

[MBE]

You are welcome