The Mystery Train 1.0

The 100 Greatest Elvis Presley Songs Of All Time (Part 4: The Top 25)

/ TY / 3 Comments

In observance of Elvis Week and to honor the life of Elvis Presley, this is Part 4 of a countdown of his greatest songs. Read Part 3.

Always On My Mind (1972)

#25 You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ [Live] (1970)
That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition (Disc 2, Track 10)]
Other notable version: 1970 Rehearsal (Elvis Aron Presley)

#24 Just Pretend (1970)
That’s The Way It Is
Other notable version: 1970 Live (Live In Las Vegas)

#23 I’ve Lost You (1970)
Worldwide Gold Award Hits, Volume 2
Other notable version: 1970 Alternate Mix (Heart & Soul)

#22 How The Web Was Woven (1970)
That’s The Way It Is
Other notable version: 1970 Take 1 (The Nashville Marathon)

#21 Lawdy, Miss Clawdy [Live] (1968)
Memories
Other notable versions: 1956 Master (For LP Fans Only), 1968 Rehearsal (Memories)

#20 Tryin’ To Get To You [Live] (1968)
A Life In Music
Other notable version: 1955 Master (Elvis Presley)

#19 Polk Salad Annie [Live] (1970)
On Stage-February 1970
Other notable versions: 1970 Live (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1970 Live (Elvis Aron Presley), 1970 Live (One Night In Vegas), 1970 Rehearsal (The Way It Was)

#18 Baby, What You Want Me To Do [Live] (1968)
Tiger Man [Track 6]
Other notable versions: 1968 Live (Memories [Disc 2, Track 16]), 1968 Live (Memories [Disc 2, Track 7]), 1968 Live (Memories [Disc 1, Track 10])

#17 Good Rockin’ Tonight (1954)
Good Rockin’ Tonight/I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine [SUN Single]

#16 You’ll Never Walk Alone [Take 2] (1967)
A Life In Music
Other notable version: 1967 Master (You’ll Never Walk Alone)

#15 Promised Land [Undubbed Master] (1973)
Promised Land [2011 FTD Edition]
Other notable versions: 1973 Master (Promised Land)

#14 Burning Love (1972)
Burning Love And Hits From His Movies, Volume 2
Other notable versions: 1972 Live (Close Up), 1973 Live (The Alternate Aloha), 1973 Live (Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite)

#13 Baby, Let’s Play House (1955)
Baby, Let’s Play House/I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone [SUN Single]
Other notable versions: 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 1, Track 10]), 1955 Live (The First Live Recordings), 1970 Rehearsal (A Life In Music)

#12 Tiger Man [Live] (1969)
Live In Vegas
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis), 1969 Live (Collectors Gold), 1969 Live (Elvis At The International), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1970 Live (One Night In Vegas), 1968 Live Master (Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others), 1968 Rehearsal (A Life In Music)

#11 Santa Claus Is Back In Town (1957)
Elvis’ Christmas Album
Other notable version: 1968 Live (Tiger Man)

#10 Reconsider Baby (1960)
Elvis Is Back!
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (Collectors Gold), 1961 Live (Elvis Aron Presley), 1972 Live (A Legendary Performer, Volume 4)

#9 Are You Lonesome Tonight (1960)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3
Other notable versions: 1969 Live [“Laughing Version”] (Elvis Aron Presley), 1960 Take 2 (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1969 Live (Elvis: Viva Las Vegas [2007 Limited Edition]), 1968 Live (Memories), 1969 Live (Elvis At The International)

#8 One Night (1957)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong
Other notable version: 1968 Live (Memories [Disc 2, Track 15])

#7 Love Me (1956)
Elvis
Other notable versions: 1956 Live (Young Man With The Big Beat), 1968 Live (Memories), 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1968 Rehearsal (Burbank 68), 1970 Live (Live In Las Vegas)

#6 Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Elvis’ Golden Records
Other notable version: 1968 Live (ELVIS-TV Special)

#5 Can’t Help Falling In Love (1961)
Blue Hawaii
Other notable versions: 1968 Live (ELVIS-TV Special), 1961 Movie Master (Blue Hawaii [1997 Special Edition]), 1969 Live (From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1970 Live (Live In Las Vegas)

#4 Suspicious Minds (1969)
Suspicious Minds/You’ll Think Of Me [RCA Single]
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (Elvis At The International), 1969 Live (All Shook Up), 1969 Live (Live In Las Vegas), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition])

#3 Mystery Train (1955)
I Forgot To Remember To Forget/Mystery Train [SUN Single]
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (Live In Vegas), 1969 Live (Collectors Gold), 1969 Live (From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis), 1969 Live (Elvis At The International), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1970 Live (One Night In Vegas)

#2 If I Can Dream (1968)
If I Can Dream/Edge Of Reality [RCA Single]
Other notable versions: 1968 TV Master (Memories [Disc 2, Track 19]), 1968 Take 1 (A Life In Music), 1968 TV Take 3 (Burbank 68), 1968 Take 4 (He Walks Beside Me)

#1 Always On My Mind [Rehearsal] (1972)
This Is Elvis
Other notable version: 1972 Master (Separate Ways)

May the Music be with us, always.

In the arena

/ TY
Elvis, 1977

Elvis, 1977

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” –From “Citizenship In A Republic” by Theodore Roosevelt, Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, 1910.

The 100 Greatest Elvis Presley Songs Of All Time (Part 3)

/ TY / 5 Comments

In observance of Elvis Week and to honor the life of Elvis Presley, this is Part 3 of a countdown of his greatest songs. Read Part 2.

Heartbreak Hotel (1968)

#50 Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country

#49 As Long As I Have You (1958)
King Creole

#48 A Mess Of Blues [Take 1] (1960)
A Life In Music
Other notable version: 1960 Master (Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4)

#47 Witchcraft (1963)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#46 Twenty Days And Twenty Nights [Take 3] (1970)
The Nashville Marathon
Other notable versions: 1970 Master (That’s The Way It Is), 1970 Rough Mix (That’s The Way It Is [2008 FTD Edition]), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition])

#45 When It Rains, It Really Pours [Re-recording] (1957)
Elvis For Everyone!
Other notable version: 1955 Take 9 (A Legendary Performer, Volume 4)

#44 Funny How Time Slips Away (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1972 Rehearsal (Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals)

#43 My Baby Left Me (1956)
For LP Fans Only

#42 Amazing Grace (1971)
He Touched Me
Other notable version: 1971 Take 2 (Walk A Mile In My Shoes)

#41 The Wonder Of You [Live] (1970)
On Stage-February 1970

#40 Run On (1966)
How Great Thou Art

#39 Blue Moon (1954)
Elvis Presley

#38 Tomorrow Never Comes (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country
Other notable version: 1970 Take 2 (The Nashville Marathon)

#37 Power Of My Love (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Take 3 (A Life In Music), 1969 Take 6 (Memphis Sessions)

#36 I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day [Re-recording] (1971)
Memories Of Christmas
Other notable versions: 1971 Take 4 (A Life In Music), 1971 Master (Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas), 1971 Re-recording Take 9 (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1971 Re-recording Take 2 (I Sing All Kinds)

#35 Walk A Mile In My Shoes [Live] (1970)
Today, Tomorrow & Forever
Other notable versions: 1970 Live Master (On Stage-February 1970), 1970 Live (Polk Salad Annie)

#34 Kentucky Rain (1969)
Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Volume 1
Other notable version: 1970 Live (Elvis Aron Presley)

#33 Johnny B. Goode [Rehearsal] (1972)
Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals
Other notable versions: 1970 Rehearsal (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1969 Live Master (From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis)

#32 Stranger In The Crowd (1970)
That’s The Way It Is
Other notable version: 1970 Rough Mix (That’s The Way It Is [2008 FTD Edition])

#31 That’s All Right (1954)
That’s All Right/Blue Moon Of Kentucky [SUN Single]
Other notable versions: 1968 Live (Memories), 1968 Live (A Legendary Performer, Volume 4), 1970 Live (One Night In Vegas), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1970 Rehearsal (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1954 Live (The Hillbilly Cat), 1961 Live (Elvis Aron Presley), 1955 Live (The First Live Recordings)

#30 Pledging My Love (1976)
Moody Blue
Other notable version: Take 3 (A Life In Music)

#29 I Really Don’t Want To Know (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country
Other notable versions: 1970 Undubbed Master (I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country [2008 FTD Edition]), 1977 Live (Elvis In Concert)

#28 How Great Thou Art (1966)
How Great Thou Art
Other notable versions: 1966 Take 2 (A Life In Music), 1974 Live [Alternate Mix] (Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis [2004 FTD Edition]), 1972 Live (Close Up)

#27 An American Trilogy [Live] (1972)
This Is Elvis
Other notable versions: 1972 Live Master (An American Trilogy/The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face [RCA Single]), 1973 Live (Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite), 1973 Live (The Alternate Aloha)

#26 Heartbreak Hotel [Live] (1968)
ELVIS-TV Special
Other notable versions: 1968 Live (Memories [Disc 2, Track 5]), 1956 Master (Elvis’ Golden Records), 1969 Live (Collectors Gold), 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 1, Track 17])

To Be Continued . . .

Read Part 4.

The 100 Greatest Elvis Presley Songs Of All Time (Part 2)

/ TY / 3 Comments

In observance of Elvis Week and to honor the life of Elvis Presley, this is Part 2 of a countdown of his greatest songs. Read Part 1.

Don't Be Cruel (1957)

#75 Stranger In My Own Home Town (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#74 Rubberneckin’ (1969)
Almost In Love
Other notable version: 2003 Remix (2nd To None)

#73 Bridge Over Troubled Water [Alternate Mix] (1970)
Heart & Soul
Other notable versions: 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]), 1970 Live (The Wonder Of You), 1971 Live (Elvis As Recorded At Boston Garden)

#72 So High (1966)
How Great Thou Art

#71 My Babe [Live] (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1969 Live (Elvis Aron Presley)

#70 Runaway [Live] (1969)
Collectors Gold
Other notable versions: 1969 Live (On Stage [1999 Special Edition]), 1969 Live (Elvis: Viva Las Vegas [2007 Limited Edition])

#69 Separate Ways (1972)
Separate Ways
Other notable version: 1972 Rehearsal (Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals)

#68 Bringing It Back (1975)
Today

#67 Early Morning Rain (1971)
Elvis Now
Other notable version: 1973 Re-recording (Mahalo From Elvis)

#66 Any Day Now (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Take 2 (Memphis Sessions), 1972 Rehearsal (Stage Rehearsal)

#65 I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (1956)
Elvis’ Golden Records

#64 I’m Comin’ Home (1961)
Something For Everybody

#63 Little Sister [Rehearsal] (1970)
That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition]
Other notable versions: 1970 Live (Elvis Aron Presley), 1961 Master (Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3)

#62 Money Honey [Live] (1956)
A Golden Celebration
Other notable versions: 1956 Master (Elvis Presley), 1970 Rehearsal (A Life In Music)

#61 Guitar Man (1967)
Clambake
Other notable versions: 1967 Undubbed/Unedited Master (Elvis Sings Guitar Man), 1968 Re-recording (ELVIS-TV Special [Track 1]), 1968 Live (Burbank 68), 1967 Take 5 (Elvis Sings Guitar Man)

#60 Don’t Cry Daddy (1969)
Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Volume 1
Other notable versions: 1970 Live (Greatest Hits, Volume One), 1970 Live (Polk Salad Annie)

#59 Baby, I Don’t Care (1957)
A Date With Elvis

#58 Hound Dog [Live] (1956)
Young Man With The Big Beat [Disc 3, Track 22]
Other notable versions: 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 2, Track 6]), 1956 Master (Elvis’ Golden Records), 1956 Live (The Legend Begins: Elvis Live), 1969 Live (Elvis At The International), 1969 Live (From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis)

#57 Don’t Be Cruel [Live] (1957)
A Golden Celebration
Other notable versions: 1956 Master (Elvis’ Golden Records), 1956 Live (Young Man With The Big Beat), 1956 Informal Recordings (The Million Dollar Quartet), 1968 Live (ELVIS-NBC TV Special), 1968 Live (Memories), 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 3, Track 11], 1956 Live (A Golden Celebration [Disc 3, Track 16])

#56 I Was The One (1956)
For LP Fans Only
Other notable versions: 1956 Live (Young Man With The Big Beat [Disc 3, Track 15]), 1970 Live (Walk A Mile In My Shoes), 1970 Rehearsal (A Life In Music)

#55 I Feel So Bad (1961)
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3

#54 I Want You With Me (1961)
Something For Everybody

#53 After Loving You (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Take 2 (Suspicious Minds), 1969 Take 3 (Memphis Sessions)

#52 Wearin’ That Loved-On Look (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis
Other notable versions: 1969 Alternate Vocal Track (The Memphis Record), 1969 Take 10 (Memphis Sessions)

#51 In The Ghetto [Take 3] (1969)
A Life In Music
Other notable versions: 1969 Take 4 (From Nashville To Memphis), 1969 Take 11 (Memphis Sessions), 1969 Master (From Elvis In Memphis), 1969 Take 20 (Today, Tomorrow & Forever), 1969 Live (Live In Vegas)

To Be Continued . . .

Read Part 3.

The 100 Greatest Elvis Presley Songs Of All Time (Part 1)

/ TY / 1 Comment

What'd I Say (1963)

This week marks 35 years since Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 in his Memphis home. Each year, many fans choose to use this anniversary not to dwell on his death but to celebrate his life.

Music was an important part of that life. In many ways, Elvis is still giving gifts to his fans all these years later through the music he left behind – whether we are listening to old favorites or hearing a new surprise for the first time.

In the spirit of Elvis Week and to honor the man and his music, I present a countdown of what I currently consider the 100 greatest Elvis songs. This is, of course, one fan’s opinion.

#100 It’s Still Here (1971)
Elvis [Fool]

#99 Thinking About You (1973)
Promised Land
Other notable versions: 1973 Take 3 (Made In Memphis), 1973 Rehearsal (Promised Land [2011 FTD Edition])

#98 You Asked Me To [Take 2B] (1973)
Rhythm & Country
Other notable version: 1973 Master (Promised Land)

#97 Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees (1971)
Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas
Other notable versions: 1971 Take 2 (Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas [2011 FTD Edition]), 1971 Take 8 (If Every Day Was Like Christmas)

#96 Clean Up Your Own Backyard [Undubbed Master] (1968)
Double Features: Live A Little, Love A Little/Charro/The Trouble With Girls/Change Of Habit
Other notable versions: 1980 Remix (Guitar Man), 1968 Master (Almost In Love)

#95 Moody Blue (1976)
Moody Blue

#94 For The Heart (1976)
From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee

#93 Don’t (1957)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong

#92 You’ll Be Gone [Take 2] (1962)
Elvis By The Presleys
Other notable version: 1962 Master (Girl Happy)

#91 Do You Know Who I Am (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#90 A Fool Such As I (1958)
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong
Other notable version: 1970 Rehearsal (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition])

#89 By And By (1966)
How Great Thou Art

#88 For Ol’ Times Sake (1973)
Raised On Rock

#87 I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1957)
Elvis’ Christmas Album

#86 Silent Night (1957)
Elvis’ Christmas Album

#85 Make The World Go Away (1970)
I’m 10,000 Years Old: Elvis Country
Other notable versions: 1970 Take 3 (Welcome To My World), 1970 Live (That’s The Way It Is [2000 Special Edition])

#84 Like A Baby (1960)
Elvis Is Back!
Other notable versions: 1960 Take 4 (Fame And Fortune), 1960 Take 2 (Collectors Gold)

#83 Pieces Of My Life (1975)
Today
Other notable version: 1975 Rough Session Mix (Today [2005 FTD Edition])

#82 Long Black Limousine (1969)
From Elvis In Memphis

#81 Indescribably Blue (1966)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4

#80 You Don’t Know Me (1967)
Clambake

#79 My Way (1971)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Other notable versions: 1977 Live (Elvis In Concert), 1972 Live (Elvis Summer Festival)

#78 Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (1973)
Good Times
Other notable versions: 1973 Undubbed/Unedited Master (Good Times [2009 FTD Edition]), 1973 Take 7 (Good Times [2009 FTD Edition])

#77 It’s Midnight (1973)
Promised Land

#76 What’d I Say (1963)
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4
Other notable version: 1970 Rehearsal (A Life In Music)

To Be Continued . . .

Read Part 2.

REVIEW: Elvis – The Complete Masters Collection (Part 2)

/ TY / 1 Comment

This is Part 2 of an ongoing series reviewing Elvis: The Complete Masters Collection. Read Part 1.

We haven’t finished the summer yet, folks, but why not take a break from the heatwave to enjoy a Christmas-themed review?

CD Vol. 4: Christmas With Elvis

Elvis: The Complete Masters Collection - Volume 4This volume of The Franklin Mint‘s 36-disc Elvis: The Complete Masters Collection (mastered by Vic Anesini) presents nearly all of the Christmas songs that Elvis released during his lifetime (a live version of “Blue Christmas” appears on a later disc).

Christmas With Elvis contains each of the Christmas songs featured on Elvis’ Christmas Album (1957), his 1966 Christmas single, and Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas (1971).

01. Blue Christmas: I think of “Blue Christmas” as the “Hound Dog” of Elvis Christmas songs. It’s the one the general public most associates with him. It is an okay recording and certainly appropriate to kick off this CD. I wish it had less or no backing vocals, though. I much prefer his live versions from 1968. (Recorded: 1957)

02. White Christmas: “Blue Christmas” does not transition very well into “White Christmas,” but the compiler has once again taken the easy way out and confined the song sequencing of this disc to recording order. I’m actually not a huge fan of “White Christmas” by Elvis. For this one, my go-to versions tend to be those by The Drifters (whose 1954 recording inspired the Elvis one) or Burl Ives (1965). Incidentally, this track differs from the one released during Elvis’ lifetime in that a finger-snap near the beginning of the song has been omitted (5). I must admit, I would never have noticed such a small detail on my own. That’s the wonder of the For Elvis CD Collectors Forum. (1957)

03. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane): You’ll be happy to know that no finger-snapping has been omitted from this terrific version of “Here Comes Santa Claus.” I love how Elvis swings some of the lyrics. (1957)

04. Silent Night: I probably would have saved “Silent Night” for the closer, but what a beautiful recording. For the gentle voice of a 22-year-old to convey this kind of passion and conviction speaks volumes about the faith of Elvis Presley. (1957)

05. O Little Town Of Bethlehem: On the other hand, Elvis’ version of “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” tends to wear on me a bit. Like “White Christmas,” it is an okay performance, but nothing special. Nat King Cole’s 1960 recording tends to be my go-to version of this one. (1957)

06. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me): It’s more finger-snapping fun on “Santa Bring My Baby Back.” What’s not to love? (1957)

07. Santa Claus Is Back In Town: Here it is, not only Elvis’ best Christmas song, but also one of his best blues numbers – right up there with 1960’s “Reconsider Baby.” When it comes to Elvis performances, they do not get much better than “Santa Claus Is Back In Town.” Incredible. (1957)

08. I’ll Be Home For Christmas: Elvis delivers yet another stunning performance on his classic version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” This also would have worked as a great album closer. Sound quality is noticeably cleaner here than it was on 1994’s If Every Day Was Like Christmas CD, my previous source. (1957)

09. If Every Day Was Like Christmas: Recorded just a couple of weeks after the session that produced the How Great Thou Art album, the unique “If Every Day Was Like Christmas” makes me wish Elvis had recorded a few more Christmas tunes at this time. This one seems to have slightly more reverb than my previous source on the same 1994 CD. As I’ve not seen any experts make note of this, I assume this reflects the original release. (1966)

10. It Won’t Seem Like Christmas: Flash forward five years now to May 1971 and the sessions that produced Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas, my favorite of his Christmas albums. I used to write off “It Won’t Seem Like Christmas” as too depressing for a Christmas song, but it has definitely grown on me over the years. (1971)

11. If I Get Home On Christmas Day: Though it covers much the same theme as “It Won’t Seem Like Christmas,” “If I Get Home On Christmas Day” sounds much more hopeful. A very enjoyable performance. (1971)

12. Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees: Written by Elvis’ longtime friend Red West, “Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees” takes its place among the best of Elvis’ Christmas recordings. (1971)

13. Merry Christmas Baby [Album Master]: While it does not quite meet the stature of “Santa Claus Is Back In Town,” “Merry Christmas Baby” is another solid blues take on the holiday season by Elvis. This studio jam ran for well over eight minutes, about 5:45 of which appeared on the Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas album. The single version, edited to 3:15, does not appear in The Complete Masters Collection. (1971)

14. Silver Bells: Elvis delivers a fine rendition of “Silver Bells,” a Christmas classic. (1971)

15. I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day: Written by Michael Jarrett (“I’m Leavin'”), “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day” is a perfect Christmas song for Elvis. I put this one just below “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” as his best Christmas recording ever. Really, one of his best-ever songs, period. It is always a highlight of any album on which it appears. (1971)

16. On A Snowy Christmas Night: Though it does not often get mentioned, I love “On A Snowy Christmas Night,” especially the reminder to “Give thanks for all that you’ve been blessed with and hold your loved ones tight.” (1971)

17. Winter Wonderland: For some reason, many Elvis fans criticize this performance of “Winter Wonderland.” Even Thomas over at Elvis Today Blog, with whom I almost always agree, called it “spiritless.” I don’t hear it that way at all. Perhaps some feel this song should remain in the territory of a performer like Johnny Mathis, whose 1958 version is horrible. For me, Elvis owns “Winter Wonderland” – particularly by adding on his signature ending style. This sounds exactly like “Winter Wonderland” as interpreted by Elvis should: Perfect. (1971)

18. O Come All Ye Faithful: “O Come All Ye Faithful” is the “Silent Night” of the second Christmas album and is just as effective. This is a great arrangement, too. I love the percussion leading into “Sing choirs of angels…” (1971)

19. The First Noel: While I would not call it “spiritless,” Elvis does begin to sound a bit tired on “The First Noel.” To continue the comparison, “The First Noel” is the “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” of the 1971 album. Good, but not great. (1971)

20. The Wonderful World Of Christmas: It is strange that “The Wonderful World Of Christmas,” the weakest song of the 1971 Christmas album session, became the title track. It also does not serve very well as the closing track here. (1971)

As I stated last time, since The Franklin Mint has chosen to theme their CDs anyway, I would have preferred the compiler put more thought into the sequencing. It is much easier to intermingle Elvis’ Christmas music from different decades than many of his other recordings (also true of his gospel music), so this is a missed opportunity on this CD.

However, Christmas With Elvis at least gathers his Christmas masters in one place. It’s really hard to go wrong with an Elvis Christmas CD and this one is no exception. With upgraded audio, I’m all set for the Christmas season in a few months.

* * *

In Part 1 of this review, I mentioned that I was planning to frame the reproduction of the 1954 SUN 45 “That’s All Right” b/w “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” that came with this set. Here are the results, and it looks beautiful.

SUN 209 Reproduction - Framed

I’ve just obtained an RCA vintage-1977 edition of “Way Down” b/w “Pledging My Love” to hang beneath it. Just waiting for the frame to arrive.

Well, that’s four CDs down and … wow … thirty-two to go. Continue to look for future installments here on The Mystery Train Blog. I hope to finish within the next eight or nine years.

Sources

(5) “Re: Complete Masters compared/contrasted with Franklin Mint” by Claus, For Elvis CD Collectors Forum, 2010.

Read Part 3.

Guest Blog #6: From Hawaii To The Rest Of The World (The Edge Of Reality #7)

/ Guest Conductor

What if the previously unreleased cassette recording of Elvis rehearsing the day before his opening show at the Las Vegas Hilton on January 26, 1973, had been a rehearsal for an upcoming world tour instead? In an alternate universe, a review of the recently released From Hawaii To Las Vegas album from FTD would have sounded a bit different…. You’ve just crossed over into… the edge of reality.

The Edge Of Reality

[Read the full post by Thomas Melin over on Elvis Today Blog.]