Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances - Presley, Elvis (Cassette 1994)

I suppose that the older I get, the more I grow to respect The King. I couldn't abide him when I was a teenager. His music was old and crusty. So was he. Then he died suddenly at the old age of 42, and everyone in the world seemed to go ape. If I had known he was going to die, I probably would have gone to see him on one of those sad final tours. Who knew?

Now as I approach the youthful age of 42, I realize how much the King had accomplished in a short time. His music was not my music, but boy, did he ever have some success with it. Respected by people the world over, by people I respected, his career just seemed to keep going and going. And oh the lifestyle, the Rock and Roll lifestyle. I can admire that, however he did it. The women, the drugs, the all-nighters, the gospel singing. Wait a minute, Gospel Music? Yep, I really dig his performances of Sacred Music, and I totally respect it.

"Amazing Grace His Greatest Sacred Performances" is not my usual cup of tea, but I am simply knocked out by it every time I hear it. The collection contains fifty-five splendid recordings of some truly inspiring performances by the King. Elvis' voice goes from a high tenor in the early recordings, to the rich baritone of his last years, but it retains an earnestness, and sincerity throughout the recording. The King is backed by the unbelievable Jordanaires, as well as the Imperials Quartet, and also J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Strings appear on some cuts.

Of special note are performances of "I Believe" which opens the first album, "(There'll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)", "How Great Thou Art", and a previously unreleased "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus/Nearer My God To Thee". There really isn't a weak link in this chain though, it is a greatest hits sort of package after all. I have not really been a fan of Gospel Music, and I certainly haven't been a collector of the Elvis's music, but something in these recordings caught my ear. Maybe it is the heartfelt delivery, or the quality of his voice, but I can highly recommend "Amazing Grace" especially at this Holy time of year. It may be different than what you are used to listening to, but it will almost certainly get under your skin and give you a new appreciation for not only the King and his music, but the King of Kings Himself.