ELVIS
BMG CD REVIEWS
"ELVIS"
Reviewed by:
George Nelson 2002/05/19
This review
will focus on the 1999 re-release of Elvis' second album simply titled 'ELVIS'.
After the success of Elvis' first album, RCA
decided to do a follow up. This time
however all songs, except for one, were recorded during the
same weekend. The 1999 version included
6 bonus tracks and an 8 page booklet with
rare pictures, and just like the 'ELVIS PRESLEY' CD it was
part of the
'Artist of the Century Series'.
January
30, 1956 Elvis recorded at RCA's New York Studio for the first
time. RCA had already released
Blue suede shoes, My Baby Left Me and One-Sided
Love Affair, only one song from that day's session remained.
A bluesy So glad you're mine. So glad
you're mine fits in this album perfectly.
It almost has the feeling of the other songs on the release.
On July
02, 1956 Elvis returned to RCA's New York Studio. This session
yielded some of his best
known recordings and biggest hits. Elvis had been doing
Hound Dog live for sometime. With his recent Milton Berle
show appearance, where he sang Hound
Dog, there was a demand for the song. Just the
night before Elvis appeared on the Steve Allen show and sang
the song to a real life hound dog. Elvis
was embarrassed about having to wear a tux and
sing to an actual dog , that had a hat and bow tie. Elvis
was greeted with signs when he left
his hotel. Most said 'We Want the Gyrating Elvis'.
Elvis recorded over 30 takes of Hound dog. Take 31 became
the master. Don't
be Cruel was recorded next. Don't be Cruel took 28 takes to record. Backed with Hound Dog the single sold
so many copies that Elvis was presented
with 5 gold records of this single at once. Neither one of these tracks appeared on the original 1956
ELVIS album. However the album still
climbed to the number one spot. Anyway
you want me never appeared on the ELVIS album either. Anyway
you want
me is a beautiful song. The guitar intro is the coolest.
On August
24, 1956 Elvis began recording songs for the movie 'LOVE ME TENDER'.
This
was the first time Elvis recorded without his band. The title
track really doesn't fit well in this
album. Love me Tender was backed with Anyway
you want me. It reached the number one spot. It sold over
a million copies before it was even
released. The advanced sales may have been
because Elvis had sung the song on the Ed Sullivan show before
it was even
released !
Labor
Day Weekend 1956 Elvis held a recording session at the famous
Radio Recorders
in Hollywood. This session is the core of the original 1956 album. Playing for keeps was the first song
recorded for this session. This song
was released on the flip side of Too Much. This song did not
appear on the original
album.
Love me
was written by Lieber and Stoller, the same people who wrote
the song
Hound Dog, which they despised Elvis' rendition of it. It
was given to Elvis by them because they
thought it would fit him just fine. I don't
know how anyone could top Elvis' rendition of this song. It's
just perfect.
How do
you think I feel was first tried out at Sun studios in 1955.
The only
known tape features Scotty Moore's guitar. Elvis can be heard
in the background though. This version
is up tempo, got an ok beat to it. It's
one of those 'lost' Elvis gems. How's
the world treating you is slow. It's almost as if Elvis is
sad about something. He did a good job,
however it's not a song that gets played
often. When my blue moon turns to gold
again is a great track. It's a country song.
It fits so well on this album. It's a shame it isn't longer.
Long tall sally is one of those songs that
Elvis performed live before he recorded
it. Elvis lets loose on this version. It's a real rocker and
a real gem of a performance. Then we come to probably the saddest song Elvis
ever recorded.. Old Shep, was a song
Elvis had sung at a talent contest at the Mississippi - Alabama
Fair and Dairy Show. Elvis won 5th place (contrary
to belief he won 2nd place). It's rumored
Elvis played piano on this and the Jordanairs gathered
around Elvis. The first take became the master. However on
first pressings of the album, take 5
had been released by mistake. Take 5 can be heard on the King of Rock
N' Roll - The Complete 50's Masters.
Paralyzed
was a hit overseas in the United Kingdom. It's in the same vein as Don't be cruel.
Just a laid back rendition of it. Anyplace
is Paradise, one those songs when you first hear it you hate
it. I know have had a totally different
opinion on it though. I love the song now.
The first issue of the CD made the song sound so dull. Now
it's got some life to it. The same can
be said with most of the songs on this CD.
The Last
day of Recording September 03, 1956 provided a real rocker.
Ready Teddy
is one of those songs that gets you out of your seat and dancing
in the hallway. You can't help but dance
to this song, so simple yet a good beat. First in Line is errie. Not saying it's a bad
song, but RCA got carried away with
the echo. It's not one of my favorites. Finally
we come to Rip it up. Rip it up is the only song from this
whole collection that has surviving
outtakes. Thankfully, the tape was put in a wrong
box and was overlooked when they destroyed the tapes. An outtake
can be heard on Elvis Presley Platinum.
In conclusion ELVIS was Elvis Presley's
first real album, as far new material goes. The updated version gives some
bulk to it though. Buy if you can.