Full Force Gale

[Otis Westinghouse]

As a reasonably heavy-duty VanFan, I've always wanted to hear EC's cover of the magnificent Full Force Gale, but as I'd never got near No Prima Donna (should I?), have failed feebly. Now that the Koj Var reissue features it, I'm thrilled to discover it's a brilliant cover. Love the powerful a capella treatment, the EC falsetto, and the suitably rousing feel of it all. It's enough to make a non-believer want to be lifted up. It's not only an original cover, it really gets inside the celebratory feel of the song, and brings the tempestuous metaphor powerfully to life.

Who are The Voice Squad? Does Van preside with Phil Coulter over the production of all of NPD? Isn't it rather unusual for an artist to produce their own tribute record? It gives it a nice seal of approval.

[And No Coffee Table]

Does Van preside with Phil Coulter over the production of all of NPD? Isn't it rather unusual for an artist to produce their own tribute record? It gives it a nice seal of approval.

Well, Van is credited with co-producing all of No Prima Donna, but I've wondered if that's really more of an "executive producer" credit rather than an indication that he oversaw all the sessions. You may notice that Elvis' liner notes don't mention anything about working with Van.

[martinfoyle]

Here's a piece about the Voice Squad
http://www.taramusic.com/biogs/vsquad.htm
Phil Callery's 1999 album is well worth tracking down.
http://www.taramusic.com/sleevenotes/cd4007.htm

I seem to recall that Van was involved in co-producing his tribute album because originally most of the covers were meant for some film soundtrack that didn't work out. Instead it was decided to make it into a tribute album. Elvis contributuion is, by a long way, the best thing about this album. Since no instruments were involved, it didn't get dragged down by Coulter's usual leaden production style.

[johnfoyle]

The Voice Squad talked this afternoon on Irish radio about working with Elvis - from about 31 minutes onwards at this link -


http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplay ... 04-2014%3A



http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/inde ... Force_Gale

[johnfoyle]

In case people haven't the time to listen to this one of The Voice Squad tells how Elvis arrived for the recording saying he had a cold and could only manage two goes at doing a vocal, only to be told that the Squad reckoned they could do it one go! A later comment tells us that the recording was done in the Westside Studios . It's also said that Van was so impressed with the finished Squad/Elvis recording that he went on to do a similar, vocal only session with the Squad but that he was unhappy with the results and they were never released.