英语标准美文100篇 075

Legend of the King

Elvis lives. At least he does today, in the hearts of tens of thousands showing their tender love for the King on the 25th anniversary of his death. Refusing to let go of fond memories, fans are once again flocking to Graceland, Elvis-- white- columned Memphis mansion¹. This annual event is informally known as "Dead Elvis Week", an almost religious pilgrimage that marks the anniversary of Elvis' death on August 16, 1977.

Feeling like a cross between an Easter vigil and Mardi Gras, the week of mourning is hardly a somber² affair. In fact, it includes all kinds of parties, concerts, and memorials. The highlight, however, is a candlelight vigil involving more than 10, 000 fans from all over the world. In twos and threes, they walk up to the small poolside garden where Elvis is buried. The King of Rock 'n' Roll' may be dead, but for these devotees, he is never truly gone.

Elvis Aaron Presley wasn't born a king. In fact, he grew up dirt-poor in rural Tennessee. Legend has it that Elvis was working as a truck driver in Memphis when he made his first recording³: a belated birthday gift for his mother. Later, when Sun Records owner Sam Phillips heard Elvis' soulful voice, he thought he had finally found what he had been looking for--a white man who sounded black. Phillips boasted that with Elvis on his label, he would make a million dollars.

Early Sun recordings⁴ had Elvis on vocals⁵ and guitar, backed by another guitar and a stand-up bass⁶. He was playing the kind of material he would one day become famous for: blues⁷, country songs, and gospel hymns⁸. It was a long way from the white jumpsuits and Las Vegas-style concerts everyone now associates with Elvis. But those early recordings helped define the kind of music that the world now knows as Rock 'n' Roll.

1 mansion   

n.大厦，大楼；宅第

参考例句：

• The old mansion was built in 1850.这座古宅建于1850年。
• The mansion has extensive grounds.这大厦四周的庭园广阔。

2 somber   

adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的

参考例句：

• He had a somber expression on his face.他面容忧郁。
• His coat was a somber brown.他的衣服是暗棕色的。

3 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

4 recordings   

n.记录( recording的名词复数 )；录音；录像；唱片

参考例句：

• a boxed set of original recordings 一套盒装原声录音带
• old jazz recordings reissued on CD 以激光唱片重新发行的老爵士乐

5 vocals   

（乐曲中的）歌唱部份，声乐部份( vocal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Also look out for soaring vocals on The Right Man. 另外，也可留意一下《意中人》中的那高亢的唱腔。
• Lazy bass line, lazier drums, lush violins, great piano and incomparable vocals. 懒惰的低音线，较懒惰的鼓，饮小提琴，棒的钢琴和无比的声音。

6 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

7 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

8 hymns   

n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• At first, they played the hymns and marches familiar to them. 起初他们只吹奏自己熟悉的赞美诗和进行曲。 来自英汉非文学 - 百科语料821
• I like singing hymns. 我喜欢唱圣歌。 来自辞典例句