Elvis Presley: If I Can Dream – Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Album Review

Here we go: another posthumous Elvis Presley release. Cynical, us?

His widow Priscilla's blessing for this combo of Presley's vocals and newly recorded orchestral arrangements means little in the face of a cheesy duet with Michael Bublé on Fever, while tinkering with the already-perfect In the Ghetto just seems pointless.

At times it sounds like we’re listening to a previously unearthed era of Elvis: “Cruise Ship Elvis”.

At others, there are moments of poignant beauty, as heard on the heart-swelling swarthiness of You've Lost That Loving Feeling or the deftness that an orchestra brings to Burning Love.

Recalling The Beatles' LOVE album, it's listenable and occasionally pleasant – but you just can't beat the originals.

[ elvisthemusic.com ]