Am I the only one who vastly prefers Elvis' gospel?

[Boba Fett]

To be honest, I never liked Elvis' music a great deal until a year or two ago, when I heard his gospel recordings.

I've tried since, to listen to his rock, and while there are a few songs of his I actually do enjoy a great deal, his catalogue as a whole, just doesn't do it; however, his gospel recordings strike me as pure masterpieces.

From what I've read, he himself prefered gospel to rock as well.

[Michael Stailey]

Actually, I enjoy both, but you can hear his passion for gospel come through full force in the '68 Comeback Special.

[BrettCullum]

Perhaps later in life he loved gospel more, but during those first years he was all about the rock n' roll. I do like the gospel albums he did, but it's kinda the same approach.

BTW, Elvis' estate nets $40 million every year even 30 years after his death. Amazing when you think about it.

[Steve T Power]

I'm a fan of Elvis' earlier stuff. When he had less of the "A-huh-huh" thing going on, and the music was leaner, dirtier, more raw.

That said, i don't dislike his gospel or later recordings either. Just not as huge a fan... I will say the Comeback Special was one amazing concert.

Beatles or Elvis man? Screw that - Led Zeppelin!

[Belmondo]

Thanks to all the Judges for the Elvis reviews just posted. I like both the early Elvis and the gospel recordings.

I'm still going through all the new reviews and keeping an open mind, but I've always felt that "King Creole" was his best movie. I did buy the new new "Jailhouse Rock" and "Viva Las Vegas", and although I appreciate the commentaries and bonus features, neither changed my mind about "King Creole" being his best ... but, I'm very interested in hearing other opinions.

[BrettCullum]

The movies were all bad. King Creole is about the only one that is mildly bearable. My sugegstion is hunt down the live stuff! Elvis - That's the Way It Is or the '68 Comeback Special are miles better than sitting through Viva Las Vegas. If it weren't for Elvis, those films would be lost. They have so little to reccommend them other than a chance to see him sing one song or two, and look cool.

[fred kite]

I'm a fan of Elvis' earlier stuff. When he had less of the "A-huh-huh" thing going on, and the music was leaner, dirtier, more raw.

That said, i don't dislike his gospel or later recordings either. Just not as huge a fan... I will say the Comeback Special was one amazing concert.

Beatles or Elvis man? Screw that - Led Zeppelin!

Yeah, his Sun Records period was his best, in my opinion. After he went to RCA he started to suffer from his image being "cleaned up", and the quality of his material wasn't as good. There were some bright spots, but not very many after 1956.

Beatles or Elvis man? No way - The Who!

[IChiWawa]

I like his early stuff plus the gospel. I heard a recording once of his guitar/vocal version of 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee'. Sure wish I could find that one again. Better than Mel Tillis or Harry Dean Stanton.

[tucco]

I love how he shines on gospel. He opens up more than even on standard ballads.
So i guess I like his gospel "voice" better than his bread and butter. (peanut butter/banana?)