"ELVIS
PRESLEY - FOR LP FANS ONLY!"
Reviewed by:
George Nelson 2002/05/20
LPM-1990
1990-2-R
This review is
from the 1959 RCA VICTOR Release FOR LP FANS ONLY. This was
one of only 2 albums to not contain Elvis’ name anywhere on
the cover. This album was released while Elvis was in the
service. It was more or less a pot luck LP. RCA even went
so far as to tamper with the sound. The result came one of
the better Elvis albums. This along with the CD/LP A DATE
WITH ELVIS gather most of the Elvis singles that had, up to
that date, did not appear on an album.
The cover art
of this CD is quite simple. A nice picture of Elvis on the
front and Tracks listed on the back. The sound quality is
great if you can ignore the tape hiss every once in a while.
The echo effect on these recordings are great.
That’s All Right
kicks off the CD. It was the first recording to be released
by Elvis. It was recorded on June 05, 1954 at SUN Studio in
Memphis. The song was recorded quite by accident. Elvis started
fooling around with the song, then Scotty and Bill soon joined
in. The result would be the first rock n’ roll album. When
released Dewy Phillips, a Memphis disc jockey, played the
song 14 times on his radio show, RED, HOT AND BLUE.
Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
was recorded February 3, 1956 at RCA’s New York Studio. It
had been put out on a single but unfortunately did not chart.
Probably because it was released the same time as 6 other
singles from Elvis’ first LP titled ELVIS PRESLEY.
Mystery Train
was recorded at SUN Records, July 11, 1955. It was one of
Elvis’ last recordings for SUN. It was also the last Single
released for SUN, and the first single to be released by RCA
Victor.
Playing for Keeps
was released on the flip side of Too Much. It was recorded
September 01, 1956 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood. It was recorded
while Elvis was on break from filming on the picture the ‘RENO
BROTHERS’ soon to be changed to ‘LOVE ME TENDER’. Poor Boy,
the next song, was for the picture ‘LOVE ME TENDER’. Elvis
recorded it on August 24, 1956, then had to record a verse
that was added to the song on September 5, 1956.
My Baby Left
Me was a song that had been recorded by Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup.
It was recorded January 30, 1956 at RCA’s studio in New York.
It would be released on the flip side of I Want You, I Need
You, I Love You.
I Was The One
was recorded at the first RCA Session on the second day, January
11, 1956. It would become the flip side of his first big smash
single, Heartbreak Hotel. Elvis often said during several
interviews throughout the 1950’s that I was the one was his
favorite recording of his.
The CD picks
up pace with Shake, Rattle and Roll, recorded February 3,
1956. Elvis had recorded in Gladewater, Texas in 1955 and
the acetate of that recording turned up on THE COMPLETE 50’S
MASTERS CD SET. Elvis also performed this song on his first
TV appearance on January 28, 1956 in a medley of Flip, Flop,
n’ Fly.
The next two
songs were recorded at SUN studios in Memphis. I’m Left, You’re
Right, She’s Gone appeared on the flip side of Baby, Let’s
Play House, and You’re a Heartbreaker appeared on the flip
side of Milkcow Blues Boogie. You’re a Heartbreaker seems
to suffer the most on this release. The echo effect took a
negative affect on this song.
FOR LP FANS ONLY
is one of my favorite 1950’s CD’s. It was the first Elvis
CD I ever heard. I still enjoy listening to it 12 years after
I received it as a Christmas gift. The only real complaint
I have about this CD is that it’s not long enough! Be sure
to read the DATE WITH ELVIS CD REVIEW and if you get a chance
to get this CD get it.
TRACKS:
THAT’S ALL RIGHT
/ LAWDY, MISS CLAWDY / MYSTERY TRAIN / PLAYING FOR KEEPS /
POOR BOY / MY BABY LEFT ME / I WAS THE ONE / SHAKE, RATTLE
AND ROLL / I’M LEFT, YOU’RE RIGHT, SHE’S GONE / YOU’RE A HEARTBREAKER