Author: TY

The 50 Greatest Elvis Presley Albums of All Time (Part 2) [Pastimescapes blog]

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This is Part 2 of a countdown of Elvis Presley’s best albums.

As a reminder, to be eligible for consideration, a release had to consist of no more than two discs (CDs/records), contain at least one-third previously unreleased content (not including singles and Extended Plays), and be from an official label. Albums were judged solely on their “new” material, not on any of the reissued content they might have contained as well.

#40 The Return To Vegas
Recorded: 1969 | Las Vegas
Released: 2014 (FTD)
Essential Song: “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” which has a strings arrangement that was changed mid-engagement
What Makes It Great: Likely recorded during the first week of August 1969, this undated Dinner Show represents the earliest concert yet to be officially released from Elvis’ first engagement at the International Hotel. The concert features a similar setlist to the shows RCA recorded later in the month. However, like mentioned, arrangements on a couple of songs are slightly different. Many of the songs are also performed just a tad slower.
What Holds It Back: Captured for reference purposes from the auditorium’s soundboard mixing station, the recording’s sound quality is not up to par with RCA’s multi-track recordings later in the month. (However, compared to other soundboard recordings of Elvis concerts, this is certainly one of the best in terms of both sound and performance.) As far as the actual show goes, it is yet again the “Yesterday/Hey Jude” medley that fails to deliver. “Hound Dog” is also a disappointment.

#39 Elvis (Fool)
Recorded: 1971-1972 | Nashville; Hollywood; Las Vegas
Released: 1973 (RCA)
Essential Song: “It’s Still Here,” a haunting performance featuring Elvis on piano
What Makes It Great: Too often dismissed as a lost opportunity because it was the next album released after the hit Aloha From Hawaii TV special and album, this compilation of apparent “leftovers” from earlier sessions actually features a wonderful mix of entertaining songs.
What Holds It Back: “Padre” as far as the performances, and the sequencing (order of songs) as far as the album.

#38 Essential Elvis: The First Movies
Recorded: 1956-1957 | Hollywood
Released: 1988 (BMG)
Essential Song: KX-Take 21 of “Loving You” — the uptempo version
What Makes It Great: Hearing Elvis singing unusual versions of classic movie tunes, chatting, and playing around in the studio. Elvis’ laughter when he breaks up at the beginning of KX-Take 20 of “Loving You” still gets me every time.
What Holds It Back: A-Take 7 of “Party” for the cheesy “I feel it in my leg, I feel it in my shoe” alternate lyric that was fortunately absent from the version ultimately put out on the Loving You album.

#37 Elvis Now
Recorded: 1969-1971 | Nashville; Memphis
Released: 1972 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Early Morning Rain”
What Makes It Great: This is one of those “little bit of everything” albums that illustrate Elvis’ range of musical styles and interests. Because I have picked on Elvis’ live recordings of the Beatles classic in other entries on this list, I also want to note that he turns in a fantastic jam-like version of “Hey Jude” here, recorded during his sessions at American Sound Studio in Memphis. Just listen to how much fun he is having!
What Holds It Back: “Miracle Of The Rosary.”

#36 Elvis
Recorded: 1956 | Hollywood; New York
Released: 1956 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Love Me”
What Makes It Great: Elvis’ second album is rightly regarded as a rock ‘n’ roll classic. Yet, even this album has huge variety. From rock ‘n’ roll to pop to country, and that is just the first three songs!
What Holds It Back: “How Do You Think I Feel.”

#35 From Elvis At American Sound Studio
Recorded: 1969 | Memphis
Released: 2013 (FTD)
Essential Song: This is a tough call, but I’m gonna have to go with the undubbed master of “Rubberneckin'”
What Makes It Great: Alternate takes and undubbed versions from Elvis’ 1969 sessions in Memphis that produced some of the best music of his career.
What Holds It Back: Take 1 of “Hey Jude.”

#34 Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others
Recorded: 1960-1968 | Hollywood; Nashville; Burbank
Released: 1968 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Tiger Man” (June 27, 1968, 8 PM Show)
What Makes It Great: Consisting almost entirely of 1960s movie tunes, Flaming Star illustrates that gems can be cherry-picked from Elvis’ soundtrack recordings.
What Holds It Back: “The Eyes Of Texas.”

#33 Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite
Recorded: 1973 | Honolulu
Released: 1973 (RCA)
Essential Song: This is another tough decision, but “An American Trilogy” has to win
What Makes It Great: From Hawaii, Elvis conquers the world one last time in this January 14, 1973, concert performance.
What Holds It Back: A 45-second version of “Hound Dog,” obviously sung entirely out of obligation. If he could not find inspiration in them anymore, I would rather he skipped songs that bored him. It is not like the man did not have an incredible back catalog of music from which to choose.

#32 Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden
Recorded: 1972 | New York
Released: 1972 (RCA)
Essential Performance: “Also Sprach Zarathustra/Opening Riff/That’s All Right”
What Makes It Great: Though live performances had been compiled from 1968, 1969, and 1970, this was actually the first complete Elvis concert that RCA ever released. Even today, this album, which captures his June 10 Evening Show, still stands as a prime example of the power of his 1972 concerts.
What Holds It Back: As with Aloha, bored versions of some of his classics – such as “All Shook Up.”

#31 The Alternate Aloha (CD Edition)
Recorded: 1973 | Honolulu
Released: 1988 (BMG)
Essential Song: “Suspicious Minds” — Listen to Ronnie Tutt pounding the drums!
What Makes It Great: Taped before a full audience, this January 12, 1973, “dress rehearsal” and backup for the live Aloha From Hawaii satellite event two days later actually betters the “real” concert in a number of ways – perhaps because Elvis is less nervous. Another factor is that when timing of the rehearsal revealed that the planned concert was actually a few minutes short, Elvis added songs to the setlist of the real show at the last minute (“Johnny B. Goode,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” and “Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”). The original setlist, as performed on the concert portion of The Alternate Aloha, actually works better as a logical flow than the expanded version.

Be sure to listen out for Elvis saying, “Okay, I’m ready when you are. Here we go,” just prior to “Also Sprach Zarathustra” on The Alternate Aloha CD (not the vinyl version, which was heavily edited). Unfortunately, this moment was cut from a 2013 re-release of this concert as part of the Legacy Edition of Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite. The Legacy Edition also has a more standard mix, while I prefer this concert 1980s-style.

What Holds It Back: “Something” – Elvis sounds as bored as he does on “Hound Dog,” and certainly there is no similar expectation that this Beatles song be performed. (For a committed version of “Something” by Elvis, check out his awesome August 11, 1970, Midnight Show performance of the song. Forget the Aloha versions.)

To Be Continued . . .

elvisTopAlbums31-50

2016 marks the 60th anniversary of my Mom and millions of other people around the world becoming Elvis fans. I dedicate this series of posts to her and other first generation Elvis fans. Without you, the rest of us might never have heard of The Memphis Flash.

Scotty Moore (1931-2016) [Pastimescapes blog]

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Scotty Moore in 1968

Scotty Moore in 1968

Legendary guitarist Scotty Moore, who backed Elvis Presley from the beginning of his career in 1954 at Sun Records through his 1968 comeback special, passed away yesterday at his Nashville, Tennessee home. He was 84.

I have been rather disconnected from the news lately, so I only just now learned about Moore’s death from my friend and fellow Elvis fan Thomas Melin.

It is impossible to overstate Moore’s importance in Elvis’s early sound, which helped catapult rock ‘n’ roll to worldwide attention.

Those now-classic electric guitar licks on “That’s All Right,” “Mystery Train,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “King Creole,” and so many other records are all Moore.

During production of his 1968 television special, Elvis pokes a little fun at Moore in a live segment:

Twelve years, man, he played guitar for me and never said anything. The other night, he leaned over and said–he was dead serious–he said, “Would you sing that ‘Lawdy, Miss Clawdy’ one time, man?” First time–12 years! … I told him, “Naw, forget it.”

Elvis then rips into an incredible version of the song. As the performance ends, an appreciative Moore quietly remarks, “I won’t say anything for another 12 years.”

My condolences go out to Moore’s family and friends.

I’ll be listening to Scotty and Elvis the rest of the week. Here’s my first stab at a playlist.

  1. That’s All Right (1954)
  2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (1954)
  3. Good Rockin’ Tonight (1954)
  4. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine (1954)
  5. Milkcow Blues Boogie (1954)
  6. You’re A Heartbreaker (1954)
  7. Baby, Let’s Play House (1955)
  8. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (1954)
  9. I Forgot To Remember To Forget (1955)
  10. Mystery Train (1955)
  11. Blue Moon (1954)
  12. Just Because (1954)
  13. Tryin’ To Get To You (1955)
  14. Heartbreak Hotel (1956)
  15. Money Honey (1956)
  16. I’m Counting On You (1956)
  17. I Was The One (1956)
  18. Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
  19. My Baby Left Me (1956)
  20. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (1956)
  21. Shake, Rattle & Roll (1956)
  22. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (1956)
  23. Hound Dog (1956)
  24. Don’t Be Cruel (1956)
  25. Any Way You Want Me (1956)
  26. Too Much (1956)
  27. Jailhouse Rock (1957)
  28. As Long As I Have You (1958)
  29. King Creole (1958)
  30. That’s All Right (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM Show)
  31. Heartbreak Hotel (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM)
  32. Love Me (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM)
  33. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Live-1968-06-27 8 PM Show; version #2)
  34. Blue Suede Shoes (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM)
  35. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM)
  36. Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM)
  37. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (Live-1968-06-27 8 PM)
  38. Tryin’ To Get To You (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM)
  39. One Night (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM; version #1)
  40. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM; version #3)
  41. One Night (Live-1968-06-27 6 PM; version #2)
  42. Tiger Man (Live-1968-06-27 8 PM)

25 Top Elvis Presley Songs: Year-by-Year [Pastimescapes blog]

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Elvis performs live in Honolulu, 1973

Elvis performs live in Honolulu, 1973

Today marks the 81st anniversary of the birth of Elvis Presley. While I believe that his musical powers peaked during his 1966-1970 “comeback” years, I enjoy most of his career. With that in mind, I compiled the below list of my favorite Elvis song for each year he recorded.

1953: My Happiness (Demo) [The Great Performances]
1954: Good Rockin’ Tonight [Single]
1955: Mystery Train [Single]
1956: Love Me [Elvis]
1957: Jailhouse Rock [Single]
1958: As Long As I Have You [King Creole]
1959: Danny Boy (Informal) [A Golden Celebration]
1960: Are You Lonesome Tonight [Single]
1961: Can’t Help Falling In Love [Single]
1962: You’ll Be Gone (Take 2) [Elvis By The Presleys]
1963: Witchcraft [Single]
1964: It Hurts Me (Alternate Mix) [Single-Italy]
1965: Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 10) [Today, Tomorrow & Forever]
1966: How Great Thou Art [How Great Thou Art]
1967: You’ll Never Walk Alone (Take 2) [A Life In Music]
1968: If I Can Dream [Single]
1969: Suspicious Minds [Single]
1970: Polk Salad Annie (Live) [On Stage-February 1970]
1971: I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day (Re-recording) [Memories Of Christmas]
1972: Always On My Mind [Single]
1973: Promised Land (Undubbed Master) [Promised Land (2011 FTD Edition)]
1974: Steamroller Blues (Live) [Forty-Eight Hours To Memphis: Recorded Live On Stage In Richmond, Virginia – March 18, 1974]
1975: Bringing It Back [Single]
1976: Pledging My Love [Single]
1977: Where No One Stands Alone (Live) [Unchained Melody]

Music of the Year for 2015 [Pastimescapes blog]

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One of the things I enjoy doing at the end of each year is looking back on the music I have played, mostly from a number-crunching standpoint.

According to iTunes, out of 9,554 unique music tracks in my collection, the one I played most often in 2015 was “Always On My Mind” by Elvis Presley, as presented on the 1981 soundtrack This Is Elvis. I played the song 22 times.

This came as no surprise to me, for the track is one of my favorite recordings of all time. Earlier this year, Sony’s Follow That Dream collectors label for Elvis fans released the soundtrack on CD for the first time. It was previously available only on vintage vinyl and cassette, neither of which I had backed up to iTunes.

This version of “Always On My Mind” is unique in that Elvis recorded it as part of a “mock” studio session with MGM cameras rolling in March 1972 for the Elvis On Tour documentary, one day after his actual master recording.

Though that film ultimately did not include the footage, portions of it later wound up in This Is Elvis almost a decade later. The This Is Elvis soundtrack version also includes instrumental overdubs created in 1981.

Elvis records "Always On My Mind" in March 1972

Elvis records “Always On My Mind” in March 1972

A “clean” version of the song without the posthumous overdubs is available on the CDs Elvis: The Great Performances and Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals, but I much prefer the This Is Elvis version.

I listened to 3,862 Elvis songs using iTunes or my iPods in 2015 (including duplicates). That is an average of almost 11 Elvis songs a day. I listened to 1,819 different Elvis tracks during the year, out of 3,981 unique Elvis recordings in my collection.

Out of 5,573 non-Elvis tracks in my collection, my most played piece in 2015 was Alexander Courage’s “Beyond The Pale/Main Title” (1965) from Star Trek‘s second pilot episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” I played that one 21 times, so Elvis only narrowly edged out the competition.

STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES SOUNDTRACK COLLECTION (La-La Land Records, 2012)

STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES SOUNDTRACK COLLECTION (La-La Land Records, 2012)

Earlier this year, I obtained the 15-CD Star Trek: The Original Series Soundtrack Collection from La-La Land Records.

In many ways, this set was the centerpiece of my music listening in 2015. It is a stunning collection that lives up to the many accolades bestowed upon it by folks more knowledgeable in this area than me.

If you are a fan of the original Star Trek and have room in your budget, I cannot recommend this premium set enough. Courage’s “Beyond The Pale/Main Title” might very well be my favorite track from the collection, if the numbers are to be believed. His work on the pilots and season 1 helped define the series.

Overall, I listened to 10,538 music tracks using iTunes or my iPods this year. That works out to almost 29 recordings a day. These counts, of course, exclude the additional time I spent listening to CDs and records. I love music and cannot imagine life without it.

I hope you have a healthy and rewarding 2016! Thank you for reading my little blog.

IF I CAN DREAM Promises yet Another Elvis Illusion [Pastimescapes blog]

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Released last week, the If I Can Dream CD includes a sticker on its cover touting:

ELVIS IS BACK WITH A BRAND NEW ALBUM!
Newly Recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

I wish that were so. Instead, If I Can Dream, of course, features familiar Elvis Presley vocals placed against new audio backdrops supplied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).

Some Elvis fans are automatically against this sort of concept, which has been tried with varying degrees of success a number of times since the artist passed away in 1977.

Just to name a few:

  • 1980’s Guitar Man album of overdubs (“remixes”)
  • 2002’s “A Little Less Conversation” JXL remix
  • 2008’s Christmas Duets album of artificial duets and remixes
  • 2010’s Viva Elvis album of remixes and artificial duets

The underlying goal of most of these projects is to help attract a new audience for a singer no longer around to promote his own work or create contemporary recordings. A secondary goal, of course, is to give something “new” to his existing fans.

As for me, I have nothing against creating new art through the use of old. I try to approach each of these new takes on Elvis with an open mind. As long as the original Elvis versions remain available, then I think it is fine to experiment. In fact, it is often fun to hear Elvis in a new context, and if it brings along a few new fans, all for the better.

With all of that out of the way, I have to admit, the first time I played through Sony’s If I Can Dream on Friday, I was underwhelmed. Having one of the great rock ‘n’ roll songs of all time, “Burning Love,” preceded by an orchestral introduction seemed incongruous.

Should rock ‘n’ roll mix with orchestra? This is a debate that goes back to at least 1968 for Elvis fans – for If I Can Dream is hardly the first Elvis album to include an orchestra. Many of his actual recordings featured orchestral backing, including some of the ones on this very release. I have tended to be in favor of a full sound on appropriate songs.

I also love orchestral music in general, having been introduced to it at a young age by the Star Wars and Superman soundtracks of John Williams, which led me to start exploring true classical music in more recent years. Add that to the fact that I am a lifelong Elvis fan, and I should be a natural fit for this album.

Yet, from that first listen, I walked away thinking If I Can Dream was barely a mediocre effort overall. It seemed neither as creative as Viva Elvis nor as entertaining as “A Little Less Conversation.”

I tried If I Can Dream a second time on Saturday, and something snapped into place for me. The first time, I was thinking of it as an Elvis album to which the RPO had been added. For the second listen, I thought of it as an RPO album to which Elvis had been added. A subtle difference, I know, but it is one that made me listen in a different way.

I closed my eyes and imagined I was sitting in Cadogan Hall listening to the RPO perform in London, with a surprise guest vocalist by way of Memphis.

Suddenly, it did not seem weird for “Burning Love” to include an orchestral introduction, for how else would the RPO begin one of their performances?

Prior to this album’s release, I saw a promotional video of Elvis singing “What Now My Love,” with the RPO providing orchestral backing (a track not included here). In some ways, I would say that video did this album no favors, for the impression I had with “What Now My Love” was two different recordings of the same song playing at the same time. Fortunately, that is not how the If I Can Dream album sounds. Instead, the meld is usually natural.

For instance, Michael Bublé features in a duet on “Fever.” While I would have preferred a female counterpart for that particular song (say, Beyoncé), the duet is quite convincing from a technical standpoint – much more convincing than what I can remember of 2008’s Christmas Duets (not an album I often revisit).

Bublé turns in a fine performance, and their voices blend particularly well on “Everybody’s got the fever, that is something you all know…” as if they are standing next to one another. Think Elvis and Frank Sinatra in their real-life duet on the last lines of “Love Me Tender” in 1960. The novelty factor makes “Fever” the highlight of the album.

The distinctive sound of an Elvis contemporary and fellow rockabilly legend is included in new guitar work on “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “An American Trilogy.” A nice surprise that I will not otherwise spoil here.

The orchestral concept works extremely well for several other songs. “How Great Thou Art” is stunning in its fully orchestrated version. The original is a true Elvis masterpiece, so there was certainly danger in changing anything.

“Love Me Tender” and “It’s Now Or Never” are also highlights, with the latter featuring Il Volo on new background vocals.

None of these versions exceed the originals (“There’s Always Me” comes closest), but that does not make them any less enjoyable as new experiences.

Not as successful are “In The Ghetto” (less is always more on accompaniment for this song, as guitar-only outtakes have proven) and “Steamroller Blues” (way too much going on).

The real puzzler of If I Can Dream is the choice of “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind,” an awful song in its original master version to which even the RPO can add no favors.

Beyond that, my only real gripes are with the “additional backing vocals” newly supplied by Miriam Grey, Shena Winchester, and Andy Caine on nearly all of the tracks. I would have preferred the original backing vocals (the Sweet Inspirations, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, the Imperials, etc.) remained prominent in the mix, as the new ones only detract from the experience. Perhaps there was some technical limitation that necessitated this, or maybe it is just the nature of a pseudo-new album.

As emblazoned on its sticker, If I Can Dream offers up the promise of illusion delivered via the magic of technology. From that perspective, the album usually makes good on its word.

For a moment, if you are willing to accept the mirage, Elvis is indeed back.

Overall Rating: 7 out of 10.

IF I CAN DREAM (2015)

IF I CAN DREAM (2015)

Tracks

If I Can Dream
Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

  1. Burning Love [Elvis portions recorded March 28, 1972, Hollywood]
  2. It’s Now Or Never [Elvis portions recorded April 3, 1960, Nashville]
  3. Love Me Tender [Elvis portions recorded August 24, 1956, Hollywood]
  4. Fever (with Michael Bublé) [Elvis portions recorded April 3, 1960, Nashville]
  5. Bridge Over Troubled Water [Elvis portions recorded June 5, 1970, Nashville]
  6. And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind [Elvis portions recorded February 17, 1969, Memphis]
  7. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ [Elvis portions recorded live August 12, 1970, Dinner Show, Las Vegas]
  8. There’s Always Me [Elvis portions recorded March 12, 1961, Nashville]
  9. Can’t Help Falling In Love [Elvis portions recorded March 23, 1961, Hollywood]
  10. In The Ghetto [Elvis portions recorded January 20, 1969, Memphis]
  11. How Great Thou Art [Elvis portions recorded May 25, 1966, Nashville]
  12. Steamroller Blues [Elvis portions recorded live January 14, 1973, Honolulu]
  13. An American Trilogy [Elvis portions recorded live February 15, 1972, Midnight Show, Las Vegas, and January 14, 1973, Honolulu]
  14. If I Can Dream [Elvis portions recorded June 23, 1968, Burbank]

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recorded December 10, 2013, and April 9-10, 2014, at Abbey Road Studio 2, London.

MORNING SKY by Elvis Presley (Playlist Recipe)[Pastimescapes blog]

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One of the things I enjoy doing in iTunes is creating playlists for my iPod. Below is the recipe for one I recently baked. For fun here on Pastimescapes, I have divided it up as an imaginary 2-record set.

All songs are the master versions, unless otherwise indicated. For those Elvis fans baking along at home, feel free to substitute your favorite version if you are missing a specific ingredient, as I know everyone’s spice collection is slightly different.

Elvis Presley in 1970

Morning Sky – Elvis Presley

Side A

  • Burning Love
  • Early Morning Rain
  • Where Did They Go, Lord
  • I’m Leavin’
  • We Can Make The Morning
  • The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Rehearsal) [Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals]

Side B

  • I Shall Be Released (Informal) [Walk A Mile In My Shoes]
  • Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Informal-Master, Extended, Alternate Mix) [Our Memories Of Elvis: Volume 2]
  • It’s Only Love
  • For Lovin’ Me
  • It’s Still Here (Master, Extended, Alternate Mix) [Walk A Mile In My Shoes]

Side C

  • I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (Live) [That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition) (Disc 5)]
  • Patch It Up (Live Master, Alternate Mix) [That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition) (Disc 5)]
  • I’ve Lost You (Live Master, Alternate Mix) [That’s The Way It Is (2014 Deluxe Edition) (Disc 3)]
  • You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Live) [That’s The Way It Is]
  • Johnny B. Goode (Rehearsal) [Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals]

Side D

  • Separate Ways
  • My Way [Walk A Mile In My Shoes]
  • Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Master, Alternate Mix) [Walk A Mile In My Shoes]
  • Amazing Grace
  • For The Good Times (Re-recording) [Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals]
  • Always On My Mind (Re-recording/Overdubbed) [This Is Elvis]

Download the End of Lonely Street: Top 5 Elvis Starter Albums on iTunes [Pastimescapes blog]

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While I buy much of my music online these days, the overwhelming majority of my Elvis Presley purchases continue to be in the form of CDs.

The times I tend to download Elvis are when I only need a few tracks from a new album or set. For instance, I purchased a December 15, 1956, concert and various non-music tracks as online downloads from the Young Man with the Big Beat: The Complete ’56 Elvis Presley Masters set a few years back, as I already owned all of the other content.

However, iTunes and other online music stores certainly present great oppotunities to find jumping-on places for many artists, including Elvis. With that in mind, I thought I would take a look at the current iTunes offerings and suggest various starting points for exploring the music of Elvis Presley.

There are many possible paths when first listening to Elvis. The below starter albums represent only a few of those possibilities, focusing on different aspects of his career, avoiding duplication, and keeping a maximum $10 US budget in mind.

Cover of ELVIS-TV SPECIAL (1968 album)

1968’s ELVIS-TV SPECIAL is a strong starter album for those new to Elvis Presley.

#1 ELVIS-TV Special

This is the soundtrack of the 1968 television special that marked a turning point for Elvis. As he finally began to break away from repetitive movies that dominated so much of his 1960s career, he adopted a new, mature sound on songs like “If I Can Dream” and reinterpreted many of his older hits, such as a pounding version of “Heartbreak Hotel.”

The ELVIS-TV Special album thus serves both as an overview of his career to that point as well as a navigation beacon for the direction of his future, reinvigorated work.

#2 Promised Land (Expanded)

The first ten tracks of this release represent the original Promised Land album proper. Recorded in 1973 at Stax Studios in Memphis, Promised Land features a perfect blend of rock ‘n’ roll (the title track), country (“It’s Midnight”), and inspirational (“Help Me”).

This 2000 expanded edition includes several tracks from the inferior Good Times album, recorded at the same sessions. While this has the benefit of adding choice cuts “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues,” “Lovin’ Arms,” and “My Boy,” it also detracts by including clunkers “She Wears My Ring,” “If That Isn’t Love,” and “I Got A Feelin’ In My Body.”

#3 Elvis At Sun

Whoever decided to lead off this collection of Elvis’s earliest professional recordings with the lightweight “Harbor Lights” and nearly unlistenable “I Love You Because” allowed recording order to dictate over common sense and entertainment value. Producer and SUN founder Sam Phillips wisely rejected both of these cuts. Had they become Elvis’s first record, there might not have been a second.

Elvis then “stumbled upon” what became his first single, “That’s All Right” b/w “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” which should have started this collection of 1954-1955 recordings. Despite the sequencing issues, Elvis At Sun is a stellar release, with career highlights including “Mystery Train,” “Baby, Let’s Play House,” “Good Rockin’ Tonight,” “That’s All Right,” “Blue Moon,” and “Tryin’ To Get To You.”

There is a certain appeal to starting an Elvis musical journey at the literal beginning, and this 2004 release does a fine job without delving too far into outtakes and alternates best left for more seasoned fans.

#4 Elvis’ Golden Records

Essentially picking up where Elvis At Sun left off, Elvis’ Golden Records captures the singer in his early years at RCA Records. These 1956-1957 recordings include many of his best known hits.

Along with his SUN records, these cuts represent some of his most influential work. Every song here is a classic, but “Jailhouse Rock” and “Love Me” manage to shine even among the top-notch competition.

#5 From Elvis In Memphis

After the success of the ELVIS television special in 1968, Elvis recorded for the first time in Memphis since his SUN days. His 1969 recordings at American studios eventually produced two albums and several singles.

From Elvis In Memphis was easily the strongest of the two albums and certainly one of the best of his career. Stand-outs include “Power Of My Love,” “Wearin’ That Loved-On Look,” “After Loving You,” “Any Day Now,” and “Long Black Limousine.”