Customer Reviews

Elvis: 2nd To None

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Capitalizing on the international success of "Elvis 30 #1 Hits," RCA has released a follow-up disc that compiles the Top 10 singles and hidden gems from Presley's prolific catalog. In many ways, "Elvis: 2nd to None" is a marked improvement over the previous CD - it covers more musical ground and displays a wider range of Presley's vocal talents. Along with the 1950s hits, you get some of Elvis' best tracks from the 1960s: "A Mess of Blues," "I Feel So Bad," "Little Sister," "Viva Las Vegas," "If I Can Dream" and "Kentucky Rain." The 1970s are represented by classic recordings such as "American Trilogy," "Promised Land" and "Moody Blue." In the final analysis, "2nd to None" proves that Presley's chart-toppers did not necessarily represent his finest work and, as a result, many superior tracks were lost in the shuffle. A case in point is "I'm a Roustabout," the recently discovered song intended for The King's 1964 film. Too bad "stick it in his ear" was considered an objectionable lyric by producer Hal Wallis, because "I'm a Roustabout" would have been the smash hit Elvis needed during the advent of Beatlemania. It's a classic rocker that Presley performs with gusto - far better than most of his movie tunes during the mid-1960s. Once again, RCA has succeeded in revitalizing Elvis Presley's music for future generations, with a few revelatory surprises along the way.

This follow-up to 2002's "Elv1s 30 #1 Hits," which has sold more than nine million copies, is just fabulous. Out of the 30 tracks on here, it features six #1 hits, "I'm A Roustabout" (a "lost" song from 1964), "That's All Right" (Elvis' first recording from 1954) and a Paul Oakenfold remix of "Rubberneckin," which has been used for Toyota commercials lately. It's a great remix and it gives a hip and fresh sound to Elvis and it proves that his music still sounds just as good today as it did years ago.

Some of the highlights on "Elvis 2nd To None," just to name a few, are "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," "Mean Woman Blues," "Memories," "Kentucky Rain," "Promised Land," "Don't Cry Daddy," "A Mess of Blues," "Bossa Nova Baby" (it has a fun, Spanish feel to it), "Viva Las Vegas," "Moody Blue" and the outstanding and powerful "If I Can Dream." His amazing vocals just shine throughout this album.

I had been anticipating the release of this CD and it was well worth the wait. Elvis Presley was the greatest entertainer of the 20th century. As this album says, he is second to none.

I highly recommend this record to both the new fans of The King and the ones who have been life-long fans. You won't be disappointed!

When I heard BMG's dazzling 2002 compilation "Elvis: 30 #1 Hits" I was simply flabbergasted!! The audio quality on that disc was stunning and was far superior to other Elvis Presley collections I owned that had been released in the late 1980's.
And so I immediately did two things. First, I disposed of my older Elvis CD's and immediately ordered "2nd To None". Since this compilation was released in 2003 I thought I had every right to expect a comparable remastering job to "30 #1 Hits." After all, the same note that stated "Mixed and mastered from original master tapes for optimal sound quality" appeared on both covers. Unfortunately, I would be remiss if I did not invoke that old saying "buyer beware". And I am here to tell you that I found this collection to be a huge disappointment.
Certainly it goes without saying that the material included on "2nd To None" is no match for the tunes that appeared on "30 #1 Hits". That collection included the absolute cream of the crop from Elvis' long and wildly successful career. But as Larry King might like to say the 30 tunes included on "2nd to None" "ain't chopped liver". In fact, several of my favorite Elvis tunes appear on this disc including "Little Sister", "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" and his 1968 comeback hit "If I Can Dream". Also featured are several of his chart hits from the 1970's like "Memories", "Don't Cry Daddy" and "Kentucky Rain". And while one might quibble about the inclusion of 2 or 3 songs in this collection it is for the most part another nice mix of Presley classics spanning the decades.
But my problem is not with the music. My problem is with the extremely mediocre remastering job done on this disc. I found the sound quality on "2nd To None" to be vastly inferior to what I had heard on "30 #1 Hits". I must say I was bitterly disappointed. I don't pretend to be an audiophile and frankly I am not generally all that fussy. But the reason I picked up this disc is that I expected the same kind of sound quality that so impressed me on "30 #1 Hits". Instead I wound up with a collection that sounded about the same as those 1988 collections I had tossed away. I just don't get it. In fact, I really wish I never had. You have been forwarned!!!

A strong follow-up to last year's Elvis 30 # 1 hits. It obviously is not as good as that collection, but it is still a great collection. It chronicles all phases of his career, from rock-a-billy pioneer to pop crooner and everything in between. Contains some of my favorite Elvis songs such as the classic Kentucky Rain, Little Sister, and his excellent cover of Blue Suede Shoes. It even has a few less-than-stellar songs, like Rock-A-Hulla, from his movie days just to be complete I guess. It is a testament to Elvis' talent that he has become THE pop icon of the 20th century despite mis-management, poor career moves and questionable song selection, and even drug addiction and a premature death. If this collection does well, look for an Elvis 3rd collection CD next year (he has plenty of material left to pick from).

My parents remember where they were when they heard the news that Elvis was dead, actually I don't think I was even born yet. I've never owned an Elvis album but I've always been familiar with several of his songs just because of his impact on american rock music. This cd is great because it has reminded me of those songs that I knew I liked but couldn't place, couldn't remember the title, or whatever. His voice sounds great on the album and the songs move from some of his earliest recordings, very R&B to 70's Elvis, replete with horns and the like. The bottom line is this: buy the album, if you are a rock and roll fan you won't be dissapointed. I've been converted. This was my first Elvis album and now I own several.

Here's the followup to Elvis 30 # Hits, Elvis 2nd to None. It's Just as incredible as it's predecessor, featuring great hits like the one that started it all "That's All Right" "Blue Suede Shoes" "I Want You, I Need you, I love You" "If I can Dream" "Kentucky Rain" "Moody Blue" and many more from the 3 decades of Elvis. A Must have for Elvis fans, This was the beginning of Top Notch Rock 'n' Roll. Own it Today

For those of you who have "discovered" Elvis through the purchase of 30 #1 Hits(E1) and would like a GREAT sounding collection of lesser known hits, this album is what you are looking for. For current fans who want to hear these classics in superb sound, this album is must-have.
Some of my favorite songs are here, in fact I feel this has more favorites of mine than E1. That's All Right, Blue Suede Shoes, Love Me, I Wan't You,I Need You,I Love You; I Got Stung, I Need Your Love Tonight, Little Sister, Viva Las Vegas, If I Can Dream, Don't Cry Daddy, Always On My Mind(recorded 10 years BEFORE Willie Nelson's version), Promised Land, Moody Blue and Rubberneckin' are awesome, and the others are very listenable. Although I own all of these songs on countless other albums, I very rarely hit the fast foward button.
Would I have enjoyed hearing Baby,Let's Play House, Mystery Train, I Beg Of You, (You're So Square)Baby I Don't Care, I Gotta Know, Such A Night, I Just Can't Help Believin' and My Way on this album? Of course, so hopefully there will be an E3. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

I don't want to think Elvis fans are only hicks without computers, but I'm starting to get that picture (myself excluded, lol). Why is everyone voting no on the posts that say this disc wont play on computers? This disc will not play in my computer and I am overseas with the troops so thanks a lot BMG Sony. This should be a MAJOR issue for consumers now that things like I Pods and mp3 players (that is what I also use) are becoming more popular. I'm stuck with a disc that I can't use on the media that I use, just be aware before you buy this, I tried alternate players and the disc is not even recognized in the drive. Luckily I followed the advice at electronic freedom foundation and disabled autoplay on my drive before I attempted to play this because it also may have put a rootkit on my cpu leaving it open to attacks. I hope BMG Sony get their arses sued to DEATH over this and that it is a lesson to them not to do this crap without some notices (I don't see anything anywhere on this disc that it wont play on a computer). I have bought a TON of music on Amazon because being in the middle east it's my main form of entertainment, I'm not a hacker or ripping off people but if I want to share this music with my family I should be allowed to do that, shouldn't I? Or how about just play the freaking disc? This is total crap and I'm pissed I hope I get one of those class action lawsuit things in the mail and make some lawyers very rich! BMG Sony if they are worried about profits should focus on talent and let the marketplace decide whats good not PAYOLA AND SCREWED UP DISCS! Amazon needs to take a stand in this too since they are computer related (they only do business on the internet, that's their claim to fame), how do you feel Amazon about selling music that won't play in your customers computers? I don't see any warnings on this site, just user comments. Amazon better take a stand or they are going down a notch in my book.

30 smash hit songs from the one and only king of Rock and Roll. With tunes such as "Mean Woman Blues" and "I got stung" it's more than evident that Elvis is the true king of rock (in response to the reviewer below I too like little richard, but no, he's not the king! Besides Elvis' covers of the 2 songs you mention are an improvement on the originals!).

I recommend to any true fan of rock n roll to either get this set with it's companion "30 #1 hit's", either that or if you can afford to spend a bit more, buy all volumes of "Elvis' Golden Records" also available from amazon.com

Either way, you won't regret it.

The release of "Elvis 30 #1 Hits" last year was one of the best music releases of the year. Pure joy and magic from start to finish. A special CD. Of course, it was a monster smash that went to #1 and sold 9 million copies or more. Not to mention it also including the teriffic re-mix of "A Little Less Conversation" to sweeten the experience. And now, albeit with little surprise, we get a sequel CD. "Elvis 2nd To None". It was almost inevitable. I mean, there was still so many hits left off the first one. I am also still waiting for The Beatles to release a sequel to their "1" album a few years ago. Anyways, this new disc is just as fun in every way as the first one. I have to say that, to the casul fan of Elvis who basically only know the real famous songs, there might be some disappointment because there are fewer really big songs on her than on the first CD. But that won't matter once you find out that they are just as good as the others. The disc starts off with the first real single that Elvis released. "That's Alright Mama". The song wasn't a chart hit at all, but has grown in stature over the years. The big hits here include "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You", which went to #1 in 1956. His cover of the Carl Perkins classic "Blue Sude Shoes", which went to #24 in 1956, is here as well. The gorgeous ballad "Love Me" is included, and it went to #6 in '56. One of my favorites, "Treat Me Nice", which peaked at #27 in 1957, is here. The classic "Little Sister", which should of been on the first one, is here too. It went to #5 in 1961. I am surprised that the classic "Viva Las Vegas" only peaked at #29 in 1963. I would of thought it was a bigger hit. One of my top favorites, "Rock-A-Hula Baby" is included. It went to #23 in 1961. The 1969 #16 peaking "Kentucky Rain" sounds as good as it always does. Other tracks on here are just as amazing. "Mean Woman Blues", which peaked at #4 in 1957, "King Creole", which wasn't a charting hit in the U.S., but was #2 in the U.K. is here, taken from the film of the same name, and others. I love "I Got Stung", which hit #8 in 1958. I have never heard the original version, but first heard it when Paul McCartney did it on his "Run Devil Run" CD, which is also excellent. Some of the nicest surprises here were the songs that I wasn't too overly familiar with, or knew he covered. Most notably, the Willie Nelson chestnut, "Always On My Mind". Elvis does a superb version here. It wasn't a charting hit, as it was just the B-Side to another single, although it went to #9 in the U.K. He also does a version of the Dusty Springfield classic, "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me', which peaked at #11 in 1970. Some of his last released singles are here, and they are great. The up-tempo beat of "Promised Land" is catchy, and it went to #14 in 1973. The track, "Moody Blue", which went to #31 in 1976, is an Elvis gem. A teriffic track that should be more famous than it is. I think it went to #1 on the Country single charts. The new re-mix track of Elvis' 1969 song, "Rubberneckin'", isn't as good as "A Little Less Conversation", but it's almost there. So, there you have it. Another superb collection that almost equals the first one. You can't go wrong with Elvis or this CD, and it would make a great Christmas present. Long live the king.