How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Good
Value for Money
Advantages:
Some great classic tracks
Disadvantages:
A couple of weak links
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Elvis Presley was born on January 8th 1935, one of twins, the other of which sadly died at birth.
Heavily influenced by both Gospel and Country music from Memphis Tennessee, where he moved to with his parents during his childhood, Elvis burst onto the music scene in 1954, and by 1956 and achieved mega stardom.
Elvis Presley was the biggest thing, in musical terms to come out of America during the 1950’s. With his curling lip, and swivelling hips, Elvis belted out his Rock and Roll Hits, to the delight of a vast majority of young people around the world. Elvis was fresh, different and bought a new meaning to music during that period. Parents despaired, as their daughters turned into gibbering wrecks at the mere mention of his name.
Not only was Elvis internationally successful due to the release of some fantastic music, but he also starred in an incredible 33 films during his lifetime. His record sales have topped the billion mark worldwide, making him the best selling artist ever.
Elvis married Priscilla Presley, with whom he had his one and only child, Lisa Marie. Unfortunately the marriage floundered, and Elvis turned to a life of drink and drugs, and sadly died on 16th August 1977 at his home in Graceland.
Records are still being released since his death, and the latest compilation album, entitled “2nd to None” was released on 6th October 2003. It can be purchased from CD Wow for £8.99.
Having been raised on a diet of music by the great man himself, I have always been happy to listen to his music, and decided to purchase the album, although I am in no way a die hard Elvis fan, and have to be in the right mood to listen to his music.
The first track, “That’s All Right”, was the first song that Elvis ever released way back in 1954, and is a slow start to the album. Elvis’s voice is not at it’s best on the song, and the double bass and guitar adds a swing type feel.
“I forgot to remember to forget” begins with a the guitar and brushed drums, a 1955 release, tells the story of how hard it is to forget a lost love. Another slow track, but with a rhythmic drum beat.
1956 saw the release of the ever-popular “Blue Suede Shoes” in which Elvis’s voice comes in before any instruments. The drumming is frantic, as is the guitar playing in this reminder to the girl in his life that she can do anything, but must never tread on his feet. The first upbeat track of the album, with Elvis at his best.
“I want you, I need you, I love you” again takes us to ballad land, and with the backing of what sounds in places like a barbershop quartet, this song has a Country feel to it, and is Elvis professing his undying love for his woman.
“Love Me” again begins with Elvis’s vocals, backed by lots of “ooohs”. A ballad, accompanied by slow beating drums with his voice at it’s deep sexy best. A sad song that with a plea to the woman in his life, to treat him however she pleases, but just to love him.
“Mean Woman Blues” speeds the tempo up again, and it is almost possible to imagine the wide skirts twirling round to this on the dance floor, back in the Fifties. Interspersed with clapping, a wonderful guitar solo, and great drumming, the song tells of a woman with some nasty, sly habits, yet she makes a fantastic lover.
“A black cat up and died of fright 'Cause she crossed his path last night”
“Loving You” originally released as a B-side in 1957, slows us down again, and begins with a tinkling piano, before the deep overtones of Elvis are introduced, again professing his eternal love.
“Treat me Nice” begins with a fast played piano, drums and guitar and has Elvis proving that he is the boss of a relationship, whilst laying down the rules to his partner.
“Wear my ring around your neck”, a 1958 release, another fast paced track, and has Gospel overtones with what sounds like a choir laying down the backing vocals, although there is plenty of Rock ‘n Roll evident. In the 50’s many girls wore their partner’s ring around their necks, if they were deemed too young to be serious, and this is a plea to a woman to do just that.
“King Creole” released in 1958, and taken from the film of the same name, begins with the double bass, before the backing vocals singing the title. Elvis’s voice is superb in this track, which has somewhat samba like overtones, and tells the story of a musician from New Orleans. A fast song, with manic Jerry Lee Lewis style of piano playing in the middle.
“Trouble” begins with brass instruments and with Elvis talking before bursting into song. This song has been covered many times by different vocalists, since its original release and is a story of a man who although never knowingly looking for trouble, is not averse to it, if it comes looking for him. A great song, which positively oozes energy.
“If you're looking for trouble, you came to the right place If you're looking for trouble, Just look right in my face”
“I got Stung” another frantic song, tells the tale of a relationship in which the man was treated badly, and begins with the words “Holy Smoke, A Lands sake alive!” Another frenetically paced, piano charged song, with Elvis again proving why he was so successful.
“I need your love tonight” is a message to his girl that Elvis needs a little attention that evening, and goes through the routine that he adopts before the seduction takes place.
“A Mess of Blues”, originally the B-side to “It’s Now or Never”, begins with loud piano playing, accompanied by the drums, and although a slow song, still maintains the Rock and Roll beat. The backing to this sounds like a train whistle, and the song tells of a relationship breakdown, with Elvis capturing the despair in his voice.
Although the lyrics to “I Feel so Bad”, released in 1961, are sad, the fast paced beat to the song, does not match, and out of all the songs on the album, I would have to say this is the most obscure, although there is a wonderful trumpet solo in the middle.
“Little Sister” is an admission to a girl that Elvis used to date her little sister, but has now realised that the older girl is the one for him. There are real overtones of the “The Shadows” in this song, with the slide guitar being used to perfection. Elvis’ voice is somewhat masked by the instruments, but a great track nonetheless.
“Rock-a-Hula Baby” was originally released as the B-side to “Can’t help falling in love with you” in 1961, and is one of Elvis’ more well known tracks, professing his love for a Hula girl. The song has a real Hawaiian feel throughout, with the maracas used as well as the bongos.
“Bossa Nova Baby”, from 1963, is a story about a hard working man who wants to spend some time chilling our after a long day’s work, but his woman wants him to go dancing. The track of course has a bossa nova feel and is very fast, almost to the point of tripping over itself.
“Viva Las Vegas” is a song that most people will have heard at some time and of course extols the virtue of Las Vegas, where Elvis had so many successful concerts, attended by sell-out crowds. Originally released in 1964, the song is still played regularly on television and radio today.
“If I can Dream” slows the mood again, and begins with a mournful trumpet, accompanied by bells. Elvis’s voice at its emotional best dreaming of a good and healthy life, with the one he loves.
“Memories”, has a Spanish feel, and also the presence of violins. Elvis sounds quite twee in this, and I really feel the song would have been better suited to Neil Diamond. Not a good track.
“Don’t Cry Daddy” explores the feelings of a child after his parents divorce. A really thought provoking song, and one can only wonder if this was written after the break up of Elvis’ marriage to Priscilla Presley.
“Kentucky Rain” released in 1970, has a feel of the Carpenters in the opening bars, and tells the story of another relationship break down, and the feelings left after the woman leaves. Another gospel backing track, with powerful brass instruments.
“You don’t have to say you love me” another track covered by so many artists, yet this version has to be one of the best. Another track from 1970, this song sees Elvis begging for his lost love to still be his friend.
“An American Trilogy” begins with military drums, and a guitar, and is a song that has a Forties influence and is about a Man going off to war.
“Always on my Mind” will always be known as a true Elvis classic, released during the last years of his life, when unfortunately he was at his bloated worst. The song is so full of emotion and is guaranteed to send a shiver down the spine. A look back to a relationship and wondering if things would have turned out differently, had the relationship not been taken for granted.
“Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died, Give me, give me one more chance to keep you satisfied”
“Promised Land”, released in 1974, is a very upbeat track, and encompasses the 70’s music at that time. It tells the tale of a young man leaving his family, and travelling America in search of a new life.
“Moody Blue” is another track that could leave the listener wondering whether Neil Diamond is going to provide the vocals, yet this one is a true classic. A swing influence is felt on the song, which delves into the moods of a woman, even before PMT was ever recognised.
A nice touch to this album is the inclusion of “I’m a Roustabout”, a previously unreleased song, another with a Hawaiian feel, and tells the tale of a travelling man with no roots.
The last track on the album is the remix of “Rubberneckin’” originally released in 1969, but re-mixed by Paul Oakenfold earlier this year, and has achieved nearly as much as success as “A Little Less Conversation”, which was remixed last year. Although the original influences are still on the song, the song has been bought more up to date, and is proving to be a huge success in the clubs.
“Stop, look and listen baby that's my philosophy If your rubberneckin' baby well that's all right with me”
Although I would not say this is the best compilation album of The King, with the exception of three or four tracks, I am happy to listen to the remainder.
Will the popularity of Elvis ever wane? I would imagine not. While his music is not something I would listen to on a regular basis, it still sounds as great today as it did when it was first released.
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