America The Beautiful
CD
ElvisNews review
How can you review this CD properly. Usually we take a look at the design and the content of the release and try to figure out of the release adds something to the releases already available. With this release it's different. It was not released as an Elvis release but as a response to the tragic events of September 11 in the U.S to benefit the September 11 victims. It were the fans who encouraged BMG / EPE to release this single.
Design
The design of the CD has been done with care and with the purpose of the release in mind. The U.S. version has Elvis on the cover in a military outfit and of course the American flag on the background. The European cover has a very stylish image of Elvis hands and the American Eagle from the 1973 Aloha From Hawaii concert. In which Elvis wore his famous "Eagle-suit" to show his patriotism to the world.
The CD is "enhanced" which means it contains multi-media components. The menu for the video of "If I Can Dream" is done in the style of the U.S. cover.
Content
Among fans there were quite e few discussions on the release itself and the tracks to use. On the poll we did on ElvisNews 97% of the people was in favour of releasing this single. There were people who wanted songs with a message like "If I Can Dream" and people who wanted another message like "Trouble". The tracks chosen for this special release Are "If I Can Dream", "America The Beautiful" and "Amazing Grace". A fitting selection for this goal of this release. It's strange that a single titled "America The beautiful" has the title track not as the first track.
Besides the three audio tracks also the video of "If I Can Dream". The quality is O.K. and we all know the way Elvis brings that song with so much passion it must offer comfort through the message of hope. You'll also find a link to the Red Cross for more information about how you can help and to the EPE Elvis site.
Conclusion
The reason to add this release to your collection could be to add a special release to your collection, but should be to support the victims of the September 11 tragedy. All proceeds from the sale of this CD will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.