Elvis — The Wonder of You
The Wonder of You: Elvis Presley with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, New album features powerful Elvis vocal performances with brand-new orchestral accompaniment. Follow up to the global phenomenon IF I CAN DREAM released in 2015.
I still find myself captivated by many of Elvis’s songs. His style of translating lyrics with music gives the listener the sense that even though he’s singing…he’s speaking his feelings and living them throughout the song. When I listen to “Don’t,” which he recorded when he was only 22-years-old, I can’t imagine anyone else singing this heartfelt song with such an emotional connection to the words. The handpicked songs in this album, like the If I Can Dream album, had a special meaning to Elvis and again to be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are impassioned, touching and fun-loving. Enjoy.
— Priscilla Presley September 2016
Well, here we are again! We are so honored to have the opportunity to work on this incredible project again. It is every bit as awe inspiring and exciting as before.
As with the first time we stepped into this amazing world it is the extraordinary intimacy of Elvis’s vocal performances that are truly breathtaking. The exquisite and effortless way he takes us on an emotional journey with him through delicate sensitivity to power and grace all within a magical three-minute song. You can imagine how often we heard these songs during the course of this project but I can honestly tell you that every single time Don and I played each song it really did feel as if we were listening to a private performance held just for us in our own homes. Our home is the studio and we were listening to the greatest artist that ever lived.
It’s a wonderful, wonderful privilege for which we are truly grateful for.
A deep heartfelt thank you to Priscilla Presley for her amazing support and love for this project.
I hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as we enjoyed making it.
Nick Patrick
September 2016
Our first production of Elvis with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, If I Can Dream, was personally a dream come true. To be able to realize my vision for Elvis in this way would not have been possible without the care and support of Priscilla Presley and the production skills of my co-producer Nick Patrick. Together with the RPO we crafted an emotionally-charged album that flowed seamlessly, touching the broad scale of Elvis’s extraordinary talent.
It is indeed an honour to be asked again to create Vol. 2 of the King’s music. On this album we have touched on the same variety of moods and emotions, embracing rock ’n’ roll, country, gospel, love song ballads…light and shade in a slightly less intense upbeat way. We have maintained the spirit of Elvis by building on the original tracks he created with his legendary singers and musicians.
The songs are by and large well-loved Elvis songs, with added surprises like the beautiful “Starting Today,” the country gospel feel of “Just Pretend,” the very sensitive “Memories” (from the ’68 comeback special), the emotional “Kentucky Rain” and the fun, feel good total remake of “I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby.”
I believe we have made an album that is uplifting, sensitive, heart touching and fun — the way that Elvis was and still is to so many of us. His spirit has never left the building!
Enjoy now and always.
Don Reedman
September 2016
