Elvis Is Back - Elvis Presley > Reviews > But why did you have to go away again

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	The King is back .  the King at his very best
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

“Cats were born to give chicks fever – be it Fahrenheit or centigrade”

I started my musical collection in my early teens and I am proud to say that this album was my very first ‘real’ LP – a Christmas present back in 1960. I recently bought this new version which has been digitally remastered and has the benefit of six bonus tracks. It is also labelled ‘Artist Of The Century’. I shall however confine my attentions mainly to the ‘pure’ contents of the original. The tracks sound as fresh today as they did then – ah! the pleasures and the pains of adolescence.

The composer list is a veritable who’s who of late 50s rock. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (‘Hound Dog’. ‘Jailhouse Rock’) wrote ‘Dirty, Dirty Feeling’. As well as ‘Fever’, Otis Blackwell (‘Don’t Be Cruel’, ‘All Shook Up’) contributed ‘Make Me Know It’. Fred Wise and Ben Wiseman (‘Wooden Heart’) wrote ‘It Feels So Right’)

Presley’s voice was never better on this album ranging from the light, middle of the road rocking ballad, to the snarling guttural depths of the blues influenced latter tracks.

He was blessed as ever with a talented and legendary backing group that included Scotty Moore and Hank Garland on guitars; Bob Moore on bass; DJ Fontana and Buddy Harman on drums; Floyd Cramer on piano and ‘Boots’ Randolph on saxophone. He was backed as ever by his faithful Jordannaires,

The last two tracks really are the most incredible Presley ever recorded. They ooze suggestive seduction with elements of jazz, blues and rock. Think of tracks that might have been banned at the time for their tone (‘Let’s Spend The Night Together’; ‘Je t’Aime’) – these two tracks beat the pants off them

The sleeve reproduces the G.I. photo album (pictures of Elvis in the tank corps) of the original LP cover. The sleeve notes are by Colin Escott.

Make Me Know It

A bubbly light hearted rock introduction to the album. This shows the vocal talents of the Jordannaires to a treat.

Fever

Double bass, drums and finger clicks accompany Elvis in his interpretation of the Peggy Lee / Otis Blackwell composition. His diction with a slight echo effect is particularly clear and expressive.

The Girl Of My Best Friend

A gentle upbeat ballad full of teenage angst. This was the single release from the album.

I Will Be Home Again

A country ballad with Presley in duet with an Army colleague (Charlie Hodge) in descant harmony.

Dirty, Dirty Feeling

This is a very short (1 minute 34) rock track with some great bass man ‘yeah’s in the backing.

The Thrill Of Your Love

Time for Floyd Cramer to add his jingling ivories in accompaniment to a romantic ballad. The Jordannaires are again well in evidence.

Soldier Boy

A slow romantic smooch reassuring the Army guy that his gal will be there waiting for him at the end of his tour of duty. Floyd Cramer again paces the backing perfectly.

Such A Night

A bouncy sexy suggestive (it was considered lewd in those days!) upbeat rocker, this was a cover of a song by Clyde McPhatter (of the Drifters). Just right for those teen party nights. They don’t write (or perform) them like that any more.

‘Ohhh! It was a kiss, oh what a kiss it was, it really was such a kiss. Oh how she could kiss! Just the part of her lips set me afire. I reminisce, and I’m filled with desire!’

It Feels So Right

A much tighter slow paced rocker with twanging guitars and percussion. There are more vocal fireworks – you can almost feel that lip curl!!

Girl Next Door Went A’Walking

This is perhaps the weakest track on the album and points the way to so many of the film track songs that were to be released in the future.

Like A Baby

Jangling guitar and piano are augmented by ‘Boots’ Randolph’s saxophone and wailing from The Jordannaires (listen to the middle instrumental). Again Elvis shows just how great a white man blues singer he was.

Reconsider Baby

What can I say about this track! It really is the piece de resistance. Jazz meets rock meets the blues. This is Elvis at his ultimate sultry, sneering best. There is a quite phenomenal instrumental middle section – quite unlike any other Presley.

The bonus tracks are:

Stuck On You / Fame And Fortune

The original single release after Elvis left the Army. The single was cut in secret and sold 1.5 million copies within days of its release.

It’s Now Or Never / A Mess Of Blues

‘Come Back To Sorrento” gets the Presley treatment. Not my favourite track but enough other people disagreed with me to make it an ultra major hit. ‘A Mess Of Blues’ is a downbeat melodic slow rocker.

Are You Lonesome Tonight? / I Gotta Know

At the time the prime time pop record show was Juke Box Jury. I well remember the personality jury including Katie Boyle (alongside most of the country) weeping unashamedly the first time this low ballad was first played. Of course it was a huge number one smash hit.

As an Englishman am I the only one who detects a hint of Bill C in Elvis’ spoken middle section? Listen through headphones and write me a comment if you agree.

‘I Gotta Know’ has a great backing from the Jordannaires ‘Mr Bass Man’

Forty years on, it really is incredible how this album has not aged. It is such a shame that Elvis did not explore this side of his music more. Instead he wandered off into more and more bland and predictable film roles. This is a ‘must listen, must buy album’. It has been made even more desirable by the inclusion of the “A” and “B” sides of his three greatest hit singles.

I wonder whether my early teenage daughter will be still listening to her current CDs with such fond memories in 2040!?!