Chestnut, Elvis and Alice

On a recent segment of NPR, a jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut, was given airtime to highlight his newest CD, "Cyrus does Elvis". I was required, once, as part of a group tour to visit Graceland. I don't dislike Elvis, in fact I like his music and rhythms as much as the average American. But being just after the Baby Boomer generation, I wouldn't say I love or admire him any more than I love or admire a sports legend, movie star or president. They are part of the fabric of American life. I wouldn't love or hate Elvis or any other icon anymoe than I might love or hate one thread on my comforter over another thread.

I wasn't expecting much when I heard the segment introduction. A jazz pianist does a rendition of Elvis songs...big deal. And then I heard them. A totally new take on songs I've heard innumerable times.

Just before they played the first tune, Cyrus explained that he was fascinated by the impact Elvis had on American music. He was a fan. My translation of what he said is that his first love was jazz music and he wanted to re-interpret the early pop icon through the lens of his loving jazz piano eyes. And boy, did he.


I listened and loved. After playing two songs at the request of the interviewer, Cyrus was given the opportunity to pick his own choice as the last sampling from the CD. "Well, let's see...All the songs,they're screaming at me, wanting their turn to be played. Like a 3rd or 4th grade class, "Who wants to come up to the board?" and all hands raise, "MEeeeeeeeeeeee."

He decided on a piano solo of "HoundDog." It was even better than the other two. I'm guessing he chose the right one to come up to the board. And that the song that was chosen was so grateful and so delighted, that it "showed out" as they say in the south.

The way he described the songs as alive is what moved me to blog about the experience. Lately, I've been experiencing the life in things that most people don't normally attribute an active and distinct quality of personality, character and purposeful will. For me it is primarily the lively world of words that has opened up and let me in.

When I heard Cyrus so heartfelt and genuinely refer to the songs as having a will, a desire to be brought from their world into ours, I felt my viewpoint validated. It was great!

To hear the segment and the music for yourself, go to:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15039843