Frankie and Johnny found
Elvis Presley playing a riverboat gambler, cruising up and down the Mississippi, placing bets, and falling in love. Its period setting means the film's accompanying soundtrack is loaded with retro Dixieland, a decision that keeps
Elvis far, far away from the swinging Mod explosion in pop music in 1966. There's a slight feint at high-booted go-go music with the double-time breakdowns on "Shout It Out," but by the time that number shows up halfway through the second side, the clamor of the brass bands, tambourines, and bass drums obscure not only this subtle detail but also the record's two minor highlights: the passable
Doc Pomus/
Mort Shuman tune "What Every Woman Lives For" and the lazy, understated "Beginner's Luck." The charms of these are relative because
Frankie and Johnny is one relentless, noisy, ugly record, its decibel level cranked to the breaking point and
Presley appearing singularly mirthless throughout. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine