Paul Ansell's Number Nine here with a set of songs mainly inspired by Elvis Presley and Fifties stuff. I think he's best when he keeps away from the 'Elvis' thing, if only because he'll get pigeon-holed with a load of old saddos in 'Las Vegas' outfits. Paul's worth a lot more. In any event, this selection is well recorded and played and his distinctive voice is a bonus as ever. It's just about all covers, but if anyone knows how to do a good cover, it's this lot!
1.Lonesome life for me 2.Don't forbid me 3.Always late 4.Don't let the stars get in your eyes 5.Only you 6.All alone and lonely 7.Okie boogie 8.With the crowd (but also alone) 9.I almost lost my mind 10.Tiger man 11.Happy birthday baby 12.Viva Las Vegas 13.Sweet inspiration 14.Good time Charlie 15.Poor boy 16.Little mamma 17.Give me more, more more (of your kisses) 18.I'm so lonesome I could cry
Number Nine
"Following this winter's tour fronting the Scotty Moore band, Paul Ansell has come up with an Elvis concept album. It's a pity it wasn't available for sale on the tour as his brilliant performances would no doubt have helped shift plenty of copies after the shows. Don't worry, he hasn't come up with meaningless covers of Hound Dog and Blue Suede Shoes, this is a well thought-out album. The contents range from less familiar covers across the three decades, as well as songs he never recorded commercially or was rumoured to have cut. There's also a few that Elvis heard as demos and even some where they second-guess what the King would have sounded like if he'd cut them. Elvis made his mark at Sun by injecting rockabilly drive to hillbilly and blues numbers. The band carry on the tradition with solid takes on Skeets McDonald's Lonesome Life For Me, Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes and Lefty Frizzell's Always Late. The beauty of the 1956 RCA ballads is reprised with Only You and With A Crowd (But Also Alone), whilst Oakie Boogie is one of those numbers that was included in the first pressing of the Jukebox songbook but never came to light. Cracking version here, but given more of a Sun than RCA sound. Poor Boy from the Love Me Tender flick is turned into a rocker with Darrel Higham guesting on some great guitar fills are you sure General Lee done it this way! It's not all 50's though. The natural sound of Number Nine lends itself perfectly to later era TCB Elvis. The funkyabilly Tiger Man could fit on any of their albums and gives new guitarist Antonio Coni room to stretch out like Jimmy B. In the wake of A Little Less Conversation, all BMG need to do is release this cut of Viva Las Vegas as by Elvis and Number Nine and we'd all watch Top of the Pops for the second year running. The beat is bouncy and hypnotic with the double bass of producer Mark Pennington sounding like the bass line I want to get buried to. Good Time Charlie is a classic and I love the versions by the Big E, the Killer and Dwight Yoakam. Pick of the album Don't Forbid Me. The Memphis Flash was sent the demo of this but passed it up, much to the delight of Boppin' Boone who scored a massive hit with it. Elvis did give a hint to how it suited him during a jam sessions with some mates in December '56. Ansell's version here is stunning, as close as he's ever sounded to Elvis. And is that the Jordanaires in the background? Superb it's a hit Mr Phillips!!!!" Shaun Mather 2003
Paul Ansell's Number Nine here with a set of songs mainly inspired by Elvis Presley and Fifties stuff. I think he's best when he keeps away from the 'Elvis' thing, if only because he'll get pigeon-holed with a load of old saddos in 'Las Vegas' outfits. Paul's worth a lot more. In any event, this selection is well recorded and played and his distinctive voice is a bonus as ever. It's just about all covers, but if anyone knows how to do a good cover, it's this lot!