Where's Springsteen's Viva Las Vegas?
A Music Fan | Forest Park, GA USA | 08/28/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As with most albums of this nature (basically a "tribute" album, even though it's a soundtrack), there are winners and losers. What you like or don't like will probably depend on whether or not you like the artist covering the song. I like most of the artists here, with a couple of exceptions. Also, with albums such as this, the cover versions are rarely as good as the originals. That, too, is true of 'Honeymoon In Vegas.'
Unfortunately, the one song that comes close to the original (keeping in mind that several of these, as done by Elvis, were actually covers of songs he liked) is not on the soundtrack album. That would be "Viva Las Vegas" by Bruce Springsteen, famous New Jersey rocker and longtime Elvis fan. Springsteen was smart to avoid a carbon copy of the original, a great Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman composition. He gives the pop song, which was quite original in Elvis's hands and one of his most underrated movie tunes, a very loose, rockin' treatment - almost a roadhouse feel. Springsteen sings the song as a lovable loser, busted and heading back to Bakersfield. (Singer/Songwriter Freedy Johnston portrays a similar character in "The Lucky One" on his great 1992 album 'Can You Fly') I don't think Springsteen's version of "Viva Las Vegas" is available on any of his official releases, but find it if you can. It is on a very hard-to-find import charity CD titled 'The Last Temptation of Elvis' which, as an Elvis tribute album, I enjoy more than 'Honeymoon In Vegas.' I would also recommend another related, hard-to-find import titled 'Elvis Chante (Sings) Pomus & Shuman.' It includes Elvis's version of "Viva Las Vegas" as well as the songwriter's demo."
The Most Perfect Wedding Song
R. Mcnaughton | california | 02/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hearing Fools Rush In by Bono was one of the most thrilling moments for me. My husband and I used this song for our 'first dance' - it is truly beautiful. It's the perfect song for anything, but especially for that first dance!"
We're the Flying Elvises...Utah chapter!
Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 02/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"HONEYMOON IN VEGAS was a fun movie, and the soundtrack album is equally enjoyable. Unspoiled by incidental film music or dialog snippets, this Elvis Presley tribute collection by some of the best modern country and rock artists holds up well 15 years later. A must-have for all fans of The King.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 39:51"