Elvis Presley's If I Can Dream is given a moving orchestral makeover for a new album - listen
Elvis Presley fans will soon have another record to add to their collections following the recent announcement that a number of his classic songs have been reworked for a brand new album.
The record, called If I Can Dream, sees 14 of The King's best known hits including Love Me Tender, Burning Love and Michael Buble duet Now Or Never given a fresh makeover by the The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ahead of the collection's release on October 30 (via Sony Music Entertainment), listen to the title track - unveiled first in the UK on OfficialCharts.com - below:
The original gospel-inspired version of the song, which was written by Walter Earl Brown, peaked at Number 11 on the Official Singles Chart in 1969. Click here to see Elvis' full Official Chart history.
Discussing the track, Elvis' former wife Priscilla Presley said: "Elvis had such a diverse taste in music. He liked all types of music from the time he was very, very young he appreciated music in a very adult way. Really, he totally would consume it so his record collection, and this may surprise a lot of people... he went to mostly gospel he would listen to and mostly black music.
"He was passionate about his music but the ones that he really felt close to or felt that moved him emotionally in a passionate way, he would have someone - myself or one of the guys - listen to it because he would want to record it or cover it."
The release of If I Can Dream will tie in with a new documentary on the star this Autumn called Elvis And Me, starring Joanna Lumley. The show will see the actress travel to Graceland and meet some of Elvis’ closest surviving friends and family in order to uncover "the man behind the myth".
The album is also part of this year's ongoing 80th birthday celebrations for Elvis, which has already seen the release of The Complete '60s Albums Collection Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 and the launch of Direct From Graceland: Elvis at the O2 on DVD.
The full tracklisting for If I Can Dream is:
1. Burning Love
2. It’s Now Or Never
3. Love Me Tender
4. Fever (feat. Michael Buble)
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water
6. And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind
7. You've Lost That Loving Feeling
8. There's Always Me
9. Can't Help Falling In Love
10. In The Ghetto
11. How Great Thou Art
12. Steamroller Blues
13. An American Trilogy
14. If I Can Dream
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Calbrit
One word for this CD....magnificent. You don't have to be an Elvis fan to appreciate this. f I hadn't watched the Joanna Lumley documentary on Elvis (on again Jan 6th ITV) I doubt I would have known about it. I always thought his voice on Its Now or Never was so powerful but with this backing its out of this world. American Trilogy I could listen to over and over. I'm not surprised its set a record for going straight to number one. Looking forward to watching the documentary again. If you didn't buy it for Christmas gifts think of birthday presents, everyone would love it.
DG
David Gibbs
This is an absolute belter.If it does not go to number 1 there is no justice left in the musical universe.
Brian Quinn
Amazing album. Can't wait to hear all the tracks. This is going to be a massive release, especially over the lucrative festive season. I have already pre-ordered several copies for Christmas presents.
R
redlands
Brian Quinn -- Nice to hear from you again --- Am from the ELVIS 30 NUMBER # 1 HITS BOARD from 2002 -- Yes this would make a good Christmas present -- If I Can Dream -- sounds good --- looking forward to the other songs!!! Hopefully they promote it -- being around Christmas 2015 -- could be a killer hit -- another number # 1 for the King
DG
David Gibbs
Well we were both right it has been massive for the king.