"ELVIS’
GOLDEN RECORDS"
Reviewed by:
George Nelson 2002/05/20
LOC-1707(1958)
PCD1-5196 (1984)
67462-2 (1997)
I would first
like to start this review off by saying when Elvis’ Golden
Records first came out on CD we all thought the sound was
just wonderful, that is after they restored it to mono. By
today's standards though, the 1984 CD show’s it’s age. I will
reviewing and comparing the 1984 and 1997 version. I will
be focusing mostly on the 1997 version. The original LP when
platinum 5 times, making it Elvis’ biggest selling album.
The original album contained mostly songs, up until that time,
did not appear on a long playing record.
The 1984 cover
zoomed in on the picture of Elvis in the gold record and left
out most of the original cover art. The 1997 release featured
the whole LP cover, of course with the bonus songs on the
cover. The 1997 version featured, an 8 page booklet and with
information and some rare pictures. It also contained 4 bonus
tracks and of coarse improved sound. Unlike the rest of my
reviews I’m going to review these in the order of sequence
on the CD.
First we’ll focus
on the original album part of the CD.
"You ain’t
nuttin’ but a hound dog" starts this CD out. It was Elvis’
biggest selling single up to this time and it seemed appropriate
to start the album off with this song. Hound dog would be
performed at most of Elvis’ concerts right up until June 26,
1977. The master on the 1984 CD sounds dull, where as the
1997 CD gives it some life. Listen to both copies and you’ll
hear the difference. It’s almost like they are 2 different
recordings.
Loving You is
next and it came off of the Loving You album released one
year earlier. It was the flip side to the hit Teddy Bear.
All Shook Up
had been a hit in March of 1957, the song went to the number
one spot on the Billboard charts. The idea of the song was
based around a soda commercial. Once again the 1997 version
brings life to this song.
Heartbreak Hotel
was the first ‘new’ single Elvis put out by RCA Victor. It
would become Elvis’ first number 1 hit and his first gold
single.
Jailhouse Rock
was the title song to his 3rd movie. Jailhouse Rock went to
number one on the billboard charts. The song had been written
by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, who had also wrote Hound
dog. Jailhouse Rock was the first music video!
Love Me is unique
in a way, because it’s the only song on this album that did
not appear on a single. It appeared on an extended play simply
titled Elvis (Vol. 1). This song too, was written by Leiber
and Stoller. The song also appeared on Elvis’ second album.
Too Much is a
classic rocker. Scotty Moore loses it with his guitar solo.
I played this song for a buddy who had no idea who Elvis was
and he loved it. He thought it was the best.
Don’t be Cruel
was the A side to Hound Dog. Both songs fought for the number
one spot. Don’t be Cruel is an excellent tune, it’s classic
Elvis. Ever wonder what was used for the beat? A leather guitar
case.
That’s When Your
Heartaches Begin was a song Elvis had recorded back in 1953
as a demo recording for his mother, or for him depending on
who you believe. Elvis had also tried it out during the jam
session most commonly known as the Million Dollar Quartet.
This version is from 1957. It was the flip side of All Shook
up.
Teddy Bear is
from the movie and the album Loving You. It reached the number
one spot. This song sparked a campaign to send Elvis hundreds
of stuffed animals. "I never collected stuffed animals
in all my life. hahaha" Elvis states in a 1957 Vancouver
press conference.
The next song
is the title of Elvis’ first movie, Love me tender. Elvis
had performed love me tender on the Ed Sullivan Show before
the single was released. RCA had advanced orders for a million
copies. It became a hit before it was even released!
Treat me Nice
was from the movie Jailhouse Rock. This version did not appear
in the film. Matter of fact this version was made after the
movie was released and during Elvis’ first Christmas session.
When I first heard this song, I was about 8 years old, I thought
the name of the song was dreamin’ Ice, I was off just a bit
:)
Anyway you want
me is one of my personal favorites. It’s a rock ballad. Just
listen to that guitar intro. It was also the flip side to
Love me tender.
I want you, I
Need you, I love you, had to be spliced from 2 different takes
because Elvis was extremely nervous and could not sing the
song right. He had just gotten off a plane that they thought
was going to crash, luckily the pilot switched it over to
another gas tank. This song was the last track on the original
album.
Now for the 1997
bonus tracks:
Elvis was a fan
of Arthur ‘big boy’ Crudup and Recorded my baby left me at
his second session for RCA. The song was the flip, side to
I want you, I need you, I love you.
Next up is a
song Elvis claimed to be his favorite of the songs he recorded,
or at least as of 1956. I Was the One, was the flip side to
heartbreak hotel. It showed a different side to Elvis’ vocal
ability.
That’s all right
is up next on this CD. On July 05, 1954 Elvis, Scotty and
Bill were on a break while Sam Phillips was changing tapes
during a tryout session at Sun Records. Elvis picked up his
guitar and started fooling around. Scotty and Bill joined
in soon after. Legend has it Sam opened up the door and wanted
to know what they were doing and nobody had an idea. Sam had
them do it again. The rest was history.
The next song
was the first song Elvis recorded that actually hit the charts.
Baby, Let’s Play House was recorded at Sun Studios in February
of 1955. The next single for sun would do even better.
Mystery Train
was Elvis’ second big hit. It to hit the charts hitting the
top ten. It’s unfortunate that the masters to Mystery Train
and Baby, Let’s Play House have been lost. RCA dubbed there
master of both songs from SUN 78’s.
Finally the Upgraded
CD rounds out with the classic Blue Suede Shoes. Blue Suede
Shoes did not hit the charts, but is probably one of the most
recognized Elvis recordings.
As pointed out
I only made a couple references to the 1984 release. Not saying
the 1984 release was bad, it’s just there have been more sound
improvements and better sounding tapes found since then. However
It is a classic album no matter which format or version you
buy.
1958 / 1984 TRACK
LISTING:
HOUND DOG / LOVING
YOU / ALL SHOOK UP / HEARTBREAK HOTEL / JAILHOUSE ROCK / LOVE
ME / TOO MUCH / DON’T BE CRUEL / THAT’S WHEN YOUR HEARTACHES
BEGIN / TEDDY BEAR / LOVE ME TENDER / TREAT ME NICE / ANYWAY
YOU WANT ME / I WANT YOU, I NEED YOU, I LOVE YOU
1997 VERSION:
HOUND DOG / LOVING
YOU / ALL SHOOK UP / HEARTBREAK HOTEL / JAILHOUSE ROCK / LOVE
ME / TOO MUCH / DON’T BE CRUEL / THAT’S WHEN YOUR HEARTACHES
BEGIN / TEDDY BEAR / LOVE ME TENDER / TREAT ME NICE / ANYWAY
YOU WANT ME / I WANT YOU, I NEED YOU, I LOVE YOU / MY BABY
LEFT ME / I WAS THE ONE / THAT’S ALL RIGHT / BABY, LET’S PLAY
HOUSE / MYSTERY TRAIN / BLUE SUEDE SHOES