 Exclusive Interview : She Is The KingBy Steven B.Roberts 'Discovering Elvis'
“I’m Jacqueline, and Jacqueline is an Elvis fan” I try to avoid the Elvis ‘Impersonator” on Discovering Elvis. What I try and promote is the “Elvis Tribute Artist” , which we know as an ETA. An ETA is someone who devotes their musical career to preserving Elvis’s legacy, and portraying a tribute, not just an imitation. Jacqueline is far from just an impersonator. She is a tribute through and through. And she is the most unique ETA in the world. Of all the ETA’s on the planet earth, Jacqueline has the one thing going for her that none of the rest can ever hope for. She could actually break the pop charts and compete with non Elvis related artists. This is due to very original interpretations of Elvis material that is lesser known outside the fan base. Also an extremely talented voice doesn’t hurt, and the arrangements are modern and GOOD. Therefore , she stands out and I am surprised that Top 40 success has eluded her stateside. But she does have a cult following that just keeps getting a little bit bigger and bigger. Why? Because she is not an impersonation, she is a tribute. She is real. Very, very, very real. And when I say she is the most unique ETA on the planet, it’s not because she’s female. It’s because she’s female and does her own interpretation. An interpretation using her ‘own’ voice which accurately and convincingly channels that of Elvis Presley. She is striking. She alternates between a wardrobe that consists of traditional ETA attire, and a wardrobe that is indigenous and completely her. 100% original. She brings her own style to the established style making the sight of her a memorable experience. Tailored to fit her totally original image, she stands out as a class act, and has the distinction of being the first female ETA to truly do this. There is no Elvis wig and glue on sideburns. Instead Jacqueline sports a hip jet black modern rock and roll mane that says “See this person ” in the dictionary of style. All complimented with shades, jewelry, and accessories that remind her of her love for Elvis, thus creating a more personal affiliation to Channel her music. And what about that music? Jacqueline is unique, because all she has ever wanted to do is sing Elvis. But, she’s an accomplished songwriter and musician outside of the Elvis genre. So good in fact, her songwriting has brought her acclaim and even an award. But her passion is Elvis, and that is what she does. And she does it well. Known to most as “She Is The King”, Jacqueline has earned that name through and through. Her singles “Edge Of Reality” “Viva Las Vegas” and “I Got A Feeling In My Body” bring us Elvis like we’ve never heard before. Her renditions of these songs and many tracks on her debut album “Comeback” are the most unique interpretations of Presley classics ever done in the ETA world. Jacqueline sings with a raw emotional power that would cripple any contemporary in comparison. She has energy on stage and on record. And people in general (not just Elvis fans) always take notice of that. Discovering Elvis was lucky enough to interview our friend Jacqueline, so with no further introduction, here it is. Hi Jacqueline. Thank you for joining us for this interview. [Q] You were born in Perth Australia? How was that and what do you remember about growing up? [A]Perth is a very pretty city located on the West Coast of Australia. It’s a small city compared to Sydney & there are far less people living there. It’s also one of the friendliest cities in Oz & there are still wide, open spaces rather than it being too built up. That fact gave me plenty of freedom to roam around without my parents being too worried & freedom is what every kid wants the most, so I had a great time in my growing years. [Q] What were you like as a teenager? [A] I was into all things Elvis, listening to Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Sade, Luther Vandross, Phil Collins, The Eagles, James Taylor & hanging out with friends. My peer group was into hanging out & listening to Midnight Oil, Boy George, Duran Duran, Hoodoo Gurus, U2. I was unusual in so far as my music taste & I was unusual because I was so intensely into collecting Elvis memorabilia & always thirsty for any new information I could find on him but in every other way, I was a normal teenager just growing up & having fun. [Q] Are you married? Do you have children? [A] I am married with 2 children. Ben is 14yrs & Ruby is 11yrs. [Q] How many times have you been to America? And how do you like it? [A] I’ve been to the US about 8 times. Memphis 5 times including Tupelo, Mississippi, twice to New York & other trips included Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe. I love to visit the United States as often as I get the chance. [Q] When are you planning on coming to America next? And where will you be playing? [A]Hopefully I’ll be in Memphis again for the 35th anniversary. I’m booked to play Australia & places other than the US on the main EP dates for the next couple of years so I’m not sure if I’ll get back there before 2012. [Q] Being that you are such a unique and creative ETA, have you thought about tackling any of these lesser known ( to the public) Elvis tracks in your ferocious and exciting style like [A] INTERVIEWER ERROR ADMISSION : Whoops! I asked the wrong song. Ha Ha. Sorry bout that….I was listening to that song when I wrote the interview, must have gotten in my head. Sincere apologies. (e ) “Only The Strong Survive” – This is one of my all time favorite tracks (f) “Patch It Up” Never sang this one before but would like to I love to record & perform the lesser known tracks as this is where you can really find Elvis. [Q] I’ve always been surprised someone has not done a re-make of “Patch It Up” in the contemporary music industry now? What about you? [A] Whilst I love the track, there’s a few more I’d consider ‘re-making’ before that one.
[Q] Have you ever thought of doing an unplugged album or Dvd where you do your own version/interpretation ( including song selection) of the 68 Comeback Special Leather performances? [A] No, not specifically but I LOVE that idea!! May I use it?? [Q] Do you have any plans to record a rockabilly single or EP? [A] Well no plans to do this right now but it’s food for thought & I love the 50s just as much as the 60s & 70s. I guess in time I’d like to have recorded a good cross section of tracks which span Elvis’ entire career. [Q] Do you have anything you’d like to say to our readers? [A] Please come visit me at www.sheistheking.com & many thanks for your incredible support. EP 4 EVER!!!! J And thank you for YOUR support Jacqueline! People like you are a credit to the ETA, and to preserving the legacy of Elvis. I have a hunch we are going to be seeing a lot more of She Is The Ki’ng. I am never wrong about these things. Keep your eyes open, we’ll be seeing her around. By Steven B.Roberts 'Discovering Elvis' Knights Of Our KingdomBy Steven B.Roberts 'Discovering Elvis'
The image and way the ETA is thought of by our generation is finally beginning to change. This is due to the new generation of ETA’s that are emerging from our ranks. And it also helps, that many of the artists are coming from overseas where they are free of the constrictive stereotypes present in the American Media. The most original of these, is “She Is The King”. Jacqueline Feilich. Jacqueline has three very distinctive attributes that make her an artist to be reckoned with. First, she is female. Therefore she can never be in the ’stereotype’ image of the ETA we grew up with. Second, she performs Presley’s songs in a modern style with original interpretations of Elvis classics we’ve heard both ‘overly endearing interpretations of’ and ’slaughtered’ over the years. Hers are neither, and are completely original and well performed. She is an adrenaline rush equal to a shot from one of Dr.Nick’s needles. Her smokey voice immediately sets her apart from the poor hokey renditions of Elvis songs sung in a bum-kin manor by today’s Nashville Scarlets. Thank god being an ETA spares her from ever being compared to them. Third, she has a look that is indigenous to her, and her alone. It’s rock and roll all the way. From the most bad ass female tailored jumpsuit, to a head of hair that Keith Richards would be proud to wear. She looks as rock and roll as a pink Cadillac, and has the talent to back it up. I will be writing more about “She Is The King” in the future, but for now you can read up on her at her website www.sheistheking.com. where I got the information below. “Discovering Elvis’ has officially knighted Jacqueline Feilich ! WHO IS THIS WOMAN IN BLACK LEATHER AND SUNGLASSES? Australian by nurture and Elvis by nature, Jacqueline was born in Perth, Western Australia. She grew up listening to her fathers’ music collection which consisted of legends like Nat King-Cole, Roger Whittaker and Elvis Presley; But it was Elvis who made an ever-lasting impression on her, and pointed to her career destiny of creating the most UNIQUE production show in the world – “SHE IS THE KING”. With her Unique talents creating a “love potion” between performer and audience – Jacqueline is one of the few people who have made her childhood dreams a reality! Since its inception “SHE IS THE KING” started to take on a life of its own. After some solid performances, word quickly spread Stateside of this ‘Unique Tribute Experience’ and Jacqueline rapidly built up a strong and faithful cult-following not only in Australia but also in the USA. With her deep throaty-soulful vocals, her dark, exotic looks, supported by the strong vocal harmonies of her back-up singers and featuring the cream of Australia’s musicians – “In my growing years, I was exposed to many different styles of great music; that music became the single most important thing in my life. At a very early age, I was hooked on many music styles and artists – but there was really only one who stood out and it is he who continues to inspire me. I have been fortunate enough in my career to have recorded an album, and written songs that have won international songwriting awards; I chose not to perform the originals so that I could concentrate on what inspires me musically – and that of course is Elvis. His career saw him cover most influential music genres including Gospel, Country, Rock, Pop & Blues. It is these styles which inspired my soul to want to explore that music further, and the potential of what could be by revitalizing those songs for today’s fickle music market”. Best Wishes Always Jacqueline Review
by Steven B.Roberts 'Discovering Elvis'
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Of
course She Is the King isn't the first
- maybe that goes to Janis Martin and all that followed, including the
stunning 'Elvis Herselvis' - but She Is The King is serious about her
art, her production and what she is trying to add to Elvis' legacy. And
the gender twist to the lyrics also gives them a potentially interesting
feminist undertone if one cares to consider where she is coming from. So after the build up of the two initial singles (the first three tracks of this album) we get the full first album - cleverly obtuse in its title ? 'Comeback.' As already noted in our earlier single reviews, She Is The King fits Elvis' mold very well having a deep throaty/soulful vocal that is well-suited to her choice of material. Hearing a female vocal tackle her initial singles with obvious conviction was an aural delight. Visually and musically she is imbued with a number of iconic Elvis qualities. So after
the glam excitement of 'Viva Las Vegas',
the apprehension of 'Edge Of Reality' and the sincerity of 'If I Can Dream',
She Is the King has to lay her Elvis soul on the line - and yes, there
really are some gems in store. Ask any hard-core Elvis fan to nominate what are their most important, if more obscure, Elvis songs and several of the album's selection would be in their list. Tracks like 'Clean Up Your Own Backyard', 'Long Black Limousine' and 'I've Lost You' are all underrated Elvis classics that fans should "hold in their hearts". As a side note, at a 'She Is The King' live performance it was fascinating watching the supportive Elvis audience looking perplexed by these "strange" selection of song choices. You could see them itching for the overplayed (boring) Elvis classics - but 'She Is The King' was that sincere in her performance that the crowd was definitely won over. No wonder Elvis was exasperated and musically unfulfilled by the crowds he had to face! 'Clean Up Your Own Backyard' kicks off the real-deal after the singles with a cool band work-out and a delightful raw feel, very reminiscent of Elvis' 1969 Memphis Sessions. She Is The King's band is funky and tight, the lead guitar particularly impressive as are the backing vocals and soulful organ - This has a great vibe. Moving on from the highly-polished sound of the singles this has a particularly impressive "Live In the studio" feel confirmed by the band chatter and the engineer shouting "Cut" at the end. 'Long Black Limousine' is another challenge which lets She Is The King show off some more Memphis 1969 soulful sincerity. The audio mix is superb with genuine horns and some impressive call & response backing-vocals. She Is The King's vocal maybe slightly too cool on this one - or perhaps one cannot possibly compete with the sincerity of Elvis' overpowering original. The original was after all Elvis' very first track he recorded on his 'Suspicious Minds' comeback session. 'Such A Night' and 'Bossa Nova Baby' change the mood being positively happy dance tracks - perfect for rocking out on stage. She Is The King kicks off with a real swing that, while not capturing the pure dripping SEX of Elvis' 'Such A Night' original - sure won't disappoint - and the double drums of the original are played to full-effect. Didn't someone grab Elvis inappropriately while filming 'Bossa Nova Baby'? Well this version would sure have Elvis twisting in delight - nice Tijuana horns - or is that what they said to Elvis at the time! It's real fun. 'I've Lost You' ? Did I say that you can't really get excited about an Elvis impersonator's song? Well damn it if this isn't one of the most impressive Elvis re-recordings that I have ever heard. Absolutely stunned on first listen I immediately hit replay. The pacing is perfect and the horns/orchestra/backing vocals are immaculate. She Is The King lays it on the line, pouring just the right amount of emotion into her vocal - her cries say it all. Moving on from Elvis' original the chorus here actually builds up to a new height (@ 03.30) that is totally stunning. Full credit for the new arrangement to producer Novak Langer who also contributed backing-vocals. Even without knowing Elvis' original this is a magnificent track. Best song on the album - one of the best Elvis releases of 2007! - I kid you not. Another ballad 'My Boy', complete with orchestra, is a lovely & faithful version of Elvis' 1974 single while not being quite as effective as the previous track. The tricky number 'Burning Love' follows where She Is The King and her band do themselves proud imparting the feel of the 1972 original. There are some nice chopping guitar licks while She Is The King moans like she means it - although she doesn't try for that crazy Elvis falsetto. The band produce a power-house finale and again the ending doesn't fade giving a true live-in-the-studio feel ? "Thank you very much" 'Love Me Tender' can never be bettered than by Elvis so why bother? With its placing as the final track it also makes it a definite statement - but it is very impressive! Perfectly transposed to a fully orchestrated sound while not going Over-The-Top as some of Elvis' own in-concert versions sometimes did. It is a succinct ending to a marvelous debut album. Most artists would push for a longer version but Elvis' original single ran for 2 mins 40 seconds and She Is The King's version does exactly the same! It's also nice to have the bonus of the lyrics printed too! When did they ever do that on an Elvis album?! The album was produced by Novak Langer and mastered at Sterling Sound New York. The audio quality is outstanding, as one would hope for nowadays though not necessarily from other Elvis ETA albums. Verdict: She Is The King ? Jacqueline ? has a definite talent that works on both the laid-back studio jam type numbers as well as the beautifully executed productions like ?I've Lost You.' I can honestly say that this is a rare Elvis Tribute Artist album in that it left me wanting to hear more! Her fans will definitely not be disappointed. It will be very interesting to see what she does next. Review
by Piers Beagley
"SHE IS THE KING" has the charisma of Elvis himself and when meeting her- you feel like an old friend and are caught up in her genuine caring and abrupt humor. Jacqueline has an uncanny resemblance to Elvis and this only adds to her incredible persona. In my book - she is the best - and she also sets a good example for many to follow. Her singing which is in the same key as Elvis is just astonishing and I am so looking forward to the release of her album in Oct. "Edge Of Reality" and "If I Can Dream" are simply incredible! Jason: I saw "SHE IS THE KING" in Tupelo. What an attractive woman...and she can rock too! Tina Fehlman: "SHE IS THE KING" Frank M: Just listened to "SHE IS THE King's new single on her site. Have to say it's pretty good. She has a husky voice and the Elvis feel. Mary Bryer: I love "SHE IS THE KING" as do all my friends in Melbourne. We are huge fans of Jacqueline. We can't wait for her Edge Of Reality single. My friends and I are 60 years so we are from the Elvis era. "SHE IS THE KING" has got a deep Elvis voice and we love listening to Viva Las Vegas. ?we can hardly wait for a concert from her. John & Alice Speers: We saw "SHE IS THE KING" in Memphis during Elvis Week and she was terrific. It's great that there are talented singers like her carrying on the Elvis tradition. Sally: "SHE IS THE KING" ROCKS!!! Benny: Wow! What a stunning singer??? Celia Peters: "SHE IS THE KING" is a fabulous artist. Long live the King. Dianne K: Can I buy her new single in America? It sounds awesome. Phil: Caught "SHE IS THE KING" in Tupelo this year?..she was sensational. |
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