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All shook up
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The King came alive for many misty-eyed folks for four evenings last week, reports PRASHANTH G.N.
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The band Steam and the dancers (Below) jiving to Elvis Presley's numbers took fans back to the golden years of rock 'n' roll. — Photos: K. Bhagya Prakash
HAVE YOU heard Elvis live in Bangalore? The band, Steam, gives you a good feel of the icon. Not just his singing, his looks too. Last week, at Elvis Presley the King, at A Pinch of Jazz, one of them looked like Elvis, but the other was Elvis himself! The white suit trimmed with gold, white shoes, those unforgettable long sideburns that know no end, the unbuttoned shirt, and the shining cross on a chest that was not too bad!
All this for folks mulling over their cocktails, and munching on Cajun and Creole dishes the restaurant specialises in. The dishes originated in New Orleans, as did jazz, another specialty of the restaurant.
But Kim Noble and Rodney Conlon on the vocals and guitar gave us numbers from Memphis, Tennessee, some of us love to hear more than ever today — "Jailhouse Rock", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Hound Dog", "Love me Tender", "Can't Help Falling in Love"... In between, Denzil Bentley's trumpet entertained with its typical riffs, with the guitars, bass, drums and keyboard making for a rousing time. Then the dancers came in. They chatted with friends among the diners, downing cocktails. The pace picked up after the break, particularly on the guitars. Conlon's deep drawl went well with his racy guitar. Mervyn and Ree Diwan took the floor first. Mervyn is new and needs variety in movement, but he was just right for a good evening. Ree was fluid and seemed the part. Her skirt was just about the right fit, with everything in place, including the belly button. If you look around today, if the navel is not seen, it's not worth the time on the floor!
Prithvi knew his steps. He has been dancing for 14 years. And as Brian got serious about Elvis, Prithvi and Ree danced to "Hound Dog", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Big Boss Man", "Love Me Tender", "When the Saints Go Marching In", "Are You Lonesome Tonight, and "I'm All Shook Up". They jived, did the rock 'n' roll, cha cha cha, foxtrot, and the West Coast swing. A couple of friends danced too, but, if you were the audience, you would have wanted to dance with Ree, step or no step! Soon everyone was having a hearty time.
Denzil Bentley's trumpet set the mood for the evening.
Kim put it down to nostalgia. "People still like Elvis numbers. You not only want to listen, but sing, after all these years. That way people get a feel of Elvis and the charm of a live performance." Steam, formed in 2000, has done 80 shows so far. It does parties, festivals, club events, weddings, and theme and corporate shows, both in and outside Bangalore.
Prithvi and Ree Diwan have a dance academy appropriately called Rock Around The Clock (You could call them on 56729383 or 36830855). You will find them at the Pinch on weekends. Prithvi is self-taught. He started with the jive and has gone on to other forms. Ree's father taught her to jive. She got into dance seriously four years ago and now teaches with Prithvi at Rock Around The Clock. Elvis numbers are great for dancing, they insist.
The King also makes for a great evening.
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