Bev Bevan's CD reviews

ELVIS PRESLEY

I Believe (RCA / Legacy)

THIS is an impressive 4-CD boxset and a fitting tribute to all of Elvis Presley's Grammy award-winning gospel and inspirational recordings.

It features the multi-platinum selling original albums Peace In The Valley, His Hand In Mine, How Great Thou Art and He Touched Me.

Also included are movie tracks such as Down By The Riverside from Frankie And Johnny, Swing Low Sweet Chariot from The Trouble With Girls, Sing You Children from Easy Come Easy Go and Let Us Pray from Change Of Habit.

It is interesting and surprising to note that throughout his distinguished career, Elvis Presley only ever received three Grammy awards and none of those were for his classic hits or groundbreaking rock'n'roll records, but all for his recordings of church music.

JOHN PHILLIPS

Pussycat (SPV Yellow Label)

JOHN Phillips was born in Paris Island, South Carolina in 1935 and is best remembered for creating folk-rock quartet the Mamas and Papas, who went on to enjoy several hit singles and albums during the mid-Sixties.

This shelved solo album, now on CD, was recorded in 1976 along with Rolling Stones Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood, and was produced by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Amongst the 10 original album tracks and the five bonus ones, you'll find Phillips' material from the movie The Man Who Fell To Earth, which starred David Bowie in the lead role.

This album was the last creative effort by John Phillips before his drug arrest in 1980. Sadly, he died in 2001.