Royal Rock and Roll Remembrance (and Other Orchestral Music)

August 16

On this day in 1977 – a King died. The King of Rock and Roll.

On this day in 2018 – a Queen died. The Queen of Soul.

Both were musical royalty. Did you know they both have a musical group in common? Both have “recorded” with the world famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Imagine what some of their songs might have sounded like with an orchestral background! Never mind. You don’t have to, because there are albums you can check out.

Here are a couple of my favorites from those albums (with some bonus cuts and artists later on)

Elvis

A Big Hunk o’ Love

Can’t Help Falling in Love

Steamroller Blues

In the Ghetto

Aretha Franklin

Respect

Natural Woman

Think

Until You Come Back To Me

Elvis has two albums with the RPO and a Christmas Album. Aretha has one. But there are other artists whose song’s have been reimagined by the RPO. The first being The Carpenters. Honestly, many of their songs already had some sort of orchestra background, but these new arrangements are neat to hear.

The Carpenters

I Just Fall In Love Again

We’ve Only Just Begun

The oddest pairing in my opinion is the RPO and the Beach Boys. Orchestral Surf??

Wouldn’t It Be Nice

Sloop John B

My favorite cut is this one – Fun, Fun, Fun

My favorite collaboration (besides Elvis) is the RPO and Roy Orbison. Wow! What an album! Simply amazing.

In Dreams

Crying

It’s Over

Only the Lonely

Running Scared

I have always loved Mean Woman Blues by Roy. However, I think the version with the RPO takes the original and beefs it up with some cool horns and makes it even better! My favorite cut!

Mean Woman Blues

So today we salute a King, a Queen, and some artists that would be considered music royalty – with a “royal” musical group that they all have in common. I hope you enjoyed listening. All of the Royal Philharmonic Albums can be heard on YouTube!