Over the past years, I have seen it claimed quite often, sometimes with a tinge of resentment by black speakers, that Elvis Presley co-opted the work and style of many black artists, most often without acknowledgement, and profited handsomely from such appropriation. This collection—some 25 tracks laid down by a variety of black artists, the majority being limited to one track apiece—lends credence to such assertions since the title avers they “inspired” Presley.
Of the 25 titles on this CD, I found only a half dozen were actually covered by Presley: “Down by the Riverside”; “Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho”; “That’s All Right Mama”; “Good Rockin’ Tonight”; “Hound Dog”;and“Shake Rattle &Roll.” Of these, perhaps the last two are among the ones that quickly come to mind when we think of Presley recordings.However, Presley was influenced by all kinds of Southern music—Gospel, Boogie, Country and, especially, the Blues—genres which are amply represented here.
John Petters, who compiled the CD’s contents, wrote the liner notes, beginning these with a useful overview of the American music scene that led to rock ’n’ roll. He opens with a reference to the movie Elvis, which “tells the story of Presley’s fascination with the African American music of Beale Street, Memphis,” and then outlines the other genres mentioned above. Following t
