Ridgewood December 7, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 13 Smith’s ‘Tribute to Elvis’ rocks the library Elivs range from a schoolboy tenor to a bassbaritone rumble and growl, and he danced just enough on stage to encourage people to dance in the audience. Mostly, they sang along and applauded every number. Smith said he once sang at a party and was introduced to a man who wrote five Elvis songs and the other artist said goodnaturedly, “I wrote that! You got it right! Now I want my money!” One of the other songs the artists wrote and Smith performed, “It’s Now or Never,” is actually an Italian song, “Che Bella Cosa.” “Fools Rush In” is a French ballad, “Plaisirs d’amour,” and “Love Me Tender” is the Confederate campfire ballad “Aura Lee.” Some of the other songs started as songs by African-Americans, but Elvis and his backers changed the lyrics a bit and brought them to a vast audience around the world. Elvis took pride in the fact that he was part Indian, and used mistreatment of historic Indians or the humorous antics of modern Indian life as a theme for several films. “Falling Star” and “Stay Away Joe” were sleepers: Elvis was ready for Indian rights in the Les Smith by John Koster Some listeners danced and many sang along as Les Smith offered his “Tribute to Elvis” at the auditorium of the Ridgewood Library late last month. Sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgewood Library, the performance featured songs by Presley and a number of other rock greats of the 1950s and 1960. Smith, who lives in Cranford, listened to Elvis when he was growing up and didn’t aim to look like Elvis as much as to sound like Elvis. Smith wore a short brush-cut rather than a peacock pompadour, a lumberjack shirt and faded blue jeans rather than skin-tight satin and sequins, but when he sang, he had it all together. Smith’s multi-octave voice covered the 1960s, but the public wasn’t. He also did a song called “In the Ghetto,” which showed that poverty was the base of the tragedy of many young African-Americans. His most famous songs remain emblems of the era when high school romance was everything and guys took their draft notices seriously, as Elvis did. He served two years at Fort Hood, Texas and in West Germany. When he returned, he maintained a career even as his life began to crumble after the death of his beloved mother and some alleged plundering by his sometime manager. Elvis was the top recording artist of the 1950s and 1960s. His 10 platinum records and 135 gold records set a record, and his movies brought in another $150 million. Smith’s concert took listeners through both sides and the reason for the Civil War with performances of “Dixie,” “All My Trials,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” with a curve into Motown with “My Girl” by the Temptations. Roy Orbison and Frank Sinatra also made the list, and Smith ended the concert with a sing-along version of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” Comic juggler Will Shaw will perform at the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 North Maple Avenue, on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 10 a.m. (Snow date: Dec. 29.) Shaw, who is known to astound, awe, and capture the house, will offer a show that appeals to all ages. Comic juggler to perform Admission is $5 for everyone age two and up. Seating is limited, and advance ticket purchases are encouraged. Tickets are available at the Stable, 259 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For additional information, call (201) 670-5560.