December 8, 2005 - Night of 100 Elvises

(Groovestress): "Shufflemonster, the Night of 100 Elvises was totally fun this year --- we, you & me, setting the groove for Sookey Jump & Elvis Parsley."

(Shufflemonster): "Elvis never goes out of style, just more and more people become aware of his Magic and become fans."

(G): "That must be amazing."

(S): "What?"

(G): "Remembering what it was like all the way back to The ---Beginning."

(S): "Well, I didn't mean to say it like that."

(G): "But, do you?"

(S): "Do I what?"

(G): "Remember what Elvis sounded like from the start?"

(S): " Do you mean the actual experience & sensation of hearing that voice when it was new on the scene?"

(G): "Yes."

(S): "I remember --- like it was two minutes ago---young, exuberant, rhythmic, good-natured & playful --- 1956 --- I was 9 years old --the song, 'Don't Be Cruel' was playing on the radio while we were traveling up to Pennsylvania on a family vacation --- I was an instant fan. The world became a better place. The music was the way to 'Never-Never Land', the land of exuberant, karmic abundance, and other spiritual dimensions. The collective Spirit of the Baby Boomers coming of age ---creating its own culture ---music, poetry, songs -one big primal outcry- for continuance of its UTOPIA - A Utopian Youth Culture ---subsidized in a state of nature - coming of age in great numbers, with their natural free-spirits intact -pouring out their hearts in the music (telegraphing their intent) -an outcry for a continuance of Utopia into adolescence and beyond."

(G): "Shufflemonster, that's so powerful. How did the older Elvis with the Vegas show differ from the younger Elvis?"

(S): "Elvis really connected spiritually -with that period of pure karma and fun - He put it in his songs - then, later, he put his songs in a Vegas show with characterization & self-parody, so much that somehow it has become acceptable for very diverse people to 'suit up' & recreate an Elvis moment -with that good-natured playful, happy, exciting, Rock n' Rollin nostalgic, high karma vibe. The Elvis show is like a 'Bottle with a Genie'. To wrap it up - To Moi, it's like that wonderful 50's Vibe done Elvis style! "

(G): "Wow. You were also gonna say how Elvis influenced your drumming."

(S): "OK. The playful, free-spirited, spontaneous, supportive, good-natured, team-spirited, give & take with band mates & between rhythm & melody - very physical interaction with the music, almost more like a dancer than a singer. As a drummer, I look for those naturally occurring Happy Moments-Sparks of Life Force & I rhythmically interact. Spontaneity and the natural joy & excitement of that free play and all the interaction as a team & all the support, trust, respect, and friendship inherent in that.