CRIS CUDDY : DEAR ELVIS The new cd “DEAR ELVIS” by Vanishing Castle artist Cris Cuddy marks a jubilant return to his rock'n'roll roots and this collection harkens back to his several recordings with trail-blazing roots rockers Max Mouse and the Gorillas, who answered that age old question “Can a Gorilla Sing the Blues” with a mighty howl which former Spin Magazine Editor Glenn O'Brien labelled “Tortured-with-a-twist-honkey-soul-twang”. Cuddy's previous three mellower acoustic CD's have seen his songs recorded by artists as diverse as Americana and Bluegrass Artists like IBMA Winning Guitarist Jim Hurst (ex-Claire Lynch sidekick) who ripped it up with his firey version of “Long and Lonesome Old Freight Train”, IBMA Winners The Spinney Bros. who chose the moving “Sally’s Waltz”, in addition to Juno Award Winners Prairie Oyster who aced “Tom Cat” and “Long and Lonesome..”, and songwriting great and mentor Mickey Newbury who used Cris’s “What if Frankie Doesn’t Like It” (and yes, it's about Old Blue Eyes) as a segue on his masterful “Long Road Home”. And there are more in the works.. “As Usual The Unusual” this cd veers from the summer dance fun of “Here Comes Summer” and the exuberant ode to a Rockabilly Queen “Starlene”, on through the bluesy “Tom Cat” featuring the great Gene Taylor on the keys, to the brooding sensuality of “I'm a Cadillac”, the rollicking “Rock'n'Roll History” with Gene and guitar whiz Albert Lee, the trance-like Stones-y 12 string beauty of “Magic Girl” with a few more stops in between, including the deep bayou vibe of “Friday Night” featuring Roly Platt's wailing harp, all leading up to the dreamy, heart-breaking ballad “Dear Elvis”. This collection features a dazzling cast of musicians including East Nashville's George “Tonechap” Bradfute (Webb Wilder, Paul Burch..), the non pareil piano of Gene Taylor (Fab T-birds etc), multi-instrumentalist Fats Kaplin (touring with Jack White), Andrew Hardin, Roly Platt, Steve Briggs, Rusty McCarthy (M.M. O'Hara) and more. As with his previous recordings Cuddy’s ace harmonica pal Roly Platt has used his graphic artist skills to produce another stunning cover from a striking image by videographer/musician Sherine Cisco, as well as blowing the top off “Friday Night”. “Tortured-with-a-twist-honkey-soul-twang” Glenn O’Brien in Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine “Van Morrison meets Elvis Costello” Brian Ahern Grammy Winning producer of Emmylou Harris etc. DJ’s & CD Reviewers Say : “The Best Kept Secret” could actually apply to Cris Cuddy Kerry Doole/New Canadian Music TOP 5 wonderful songwriting & the man knows how to sing them JackGarrison //WFIT “ A kaleidoscope of styles...........a panorama of subjects ” Arthur Wood, FOLKWAX Reviews Editor “I don’t know where it came from..it’s so good I don’t care” David Pilot, Rockzilla “The kind of delicious sprawl Ryan Adams might have created if only…” Americana UK “Top 5 Best of the Year” …Fresh Air, CBC