From Elvis Presley Boulevard was released on May 20, 1976. While it just missed making the pop top 40, stalling at number 41, it reigned as the number one country album for four weeks. The album was said to have been recorded live but was in no way a concert album. Elvis recorded his vocals in one take in his home studio at Graceland. Felton Jarvis would tinker with the tracks and flush out the sound before releasing the finished product. Elvis was now far from his early rock ‘n’ roll roots and sound. His choices of songs were mainly sad or depressing as he was divorced plus his health continued to deteriorate. The vocals, however, remained pure and strong. Elvis could literally sing the phone book and make it listenable.
Three excellent ballads form the heart of the album. “Hurt” was a top 30 single hit and can almost be considered a biographical song. Elvis’ voice is almost operatic as he sings about what could be the pain in his own life. “Danny Boy” is a classic treatment of this old standard. His voice has a wistful quality that fits this song well. “The Last Farewell” is a moving story-telling ballad that was a big hit for Roger Whittaker. It is a song of eternal love set against an English war. This moving rendition is the equal of the original.
“For The Heart” is a welcome addition to the album as it is a little happier in topic and presentation. Elvis gives a sort of bouncy vocal that is both engaging and poignant.
“Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” is an average interpretation by Elvis and not of the caliber of the Willie Nelson classic. “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” is almost a song you would find in a lounge act and is average at best. “Solitaire” and “Love Coming Down” find him on more solid ground as his vocal takes these average songs and raises them to the very good level.
From Elvis Presley Boulevard may not be an uplifting album but there are still some excellent performances to be found in the mix.
From Elvis Presley Boulevard
By Blogcritics/ David Bowling, July 31, 2008 | Music
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Rob Wanders wrote on
July 28, 2008
well the tracklist is not right; little mistake, but the album Today is indeed very fine with all great songs included Pieces of my life. That song is for sure in my top 5.
JLpResLey wrote on
August 01, 2008
Indeed a very fine album. Danny boy was one of his finest songs ever, he sang hurt with both feeling and power, even though the version from "In concert" is better. At this time his voice was not in his prime but that doesn´t affect his performance. But of course, recording at graceland, the sound wasn´t the best
Lefty wrote on
August 01, 2008
Another one of my very favorite albums. I'll Never Fall In Love Again is just as good as any track on this excellent outing. If nothing else, this album said to all that Elvis was going to record what he wanted to, and he did. I only wish there would've been more "studio" recordings that late in the game. Too bad that the Nashville session scheduled in February 1977 was cancelled without so much as a single recording.
JimmyCool wrote on
August 01, 2008
Maybe it says "Recorded live" because it was recorded live with the band, at home(?). The only two songs I don't like here are "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" (I just hate that echo and Elvis sounds uninspired) and "The Last Farewell" (too many overdubs for a non-epic movie song). I like this album very much, but I preffer the CD version coupled with the Moody Blue album.
circleG wrote on
August 02, 2008
I first heard this album in the 80's when synths had basically started to take over. I was at college and I was just bowled over at the emotion in the songs. I was a big Bowie/Queen fan at the time but I had NEVER heard anyone pour their heart out in a song like this. It seemed Elvis just wanted to strip his heart bare for all the world too hear, amazing. Maybe a little too melancholy and sad for some but I love this album like jimmycool coupled with the other jungle room songs.
theoldscudder wrote on
August 02, 2008
I appreciate this lp more today then when I first heard it. Sorta similar to Billie Holiday's Lady In Satin album in that they were both troubled artist's beyond their prime but singing their hearts out. Their pain is there for all to hear. Really heartbreaking.
JerryNodak wrote on
August 03, 2008
I remember buying this album in '76? and remarking to a fellow Elvis fan on how sad most of the songs were and how it felt like this might be Elvis' last album. Well, it didn't work out that way, but it was close. Listening to this album I can hear and almost feel his pain as he pours his heart out. It may not be a great album, but Elvis gives everything he's got to give.
Steve V wrote on
August 03, 2008
After the Today album this one was sort of a shocker. That being said, its still better to me than Raised on Rock. Elvis felt like he was really pouring his heart out here something I didnt feel on some of the other albums. For The Heart chould have been a smash with proper airplay.
Jumpin Jehosaphat wrote on
August 07, 2008
At this point it was very said but he still looked pretty good, his physical changes took place in early 77 at which point he was no more that a cash cow for Colonel Parker
NONE000000 wrote on
August 07, 2008
Always been a big favorate! One of those very late career/life albums that proves Elvis never ever lost the voice or talent he always had. I do find "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" very dull, but still listenable. Everything else is just gold. I like the Lady in Satin comparison. I actually find this album even more compelling though. Just a beautiful album full of amazing performances and incredible vocals full of emotion.
Rob Wanders wrote on
August 13, 2008
Too many strings on some of the songs. I prefer them as heared on "Our memories of Elvis" or "Jungle room sessions". The version of "Blue eyes crying in the rain" heared on the Jungle room cd is so much better than heared on this album. I love "Hurt', "Love coming down", "Bitter they are", "The last farewell", "Never again", "Danny boy" and "For the heart". So yes, I consider this as a very good album after all.
SabreKing wrote on
March 01, 2010
To me, "Solitaire" and "For the Heart" are the 2 stand-out tracks on this album. A little bit of yin and yang, if you will.