Elvis Ultimate Gospel

Elvis Presley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000MV8D10
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #933 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #3 in Music > Christian > Country & Bluegrass
  • #3 in Music > Christian > Southern Gospel
  • #11 in Music > Classic Rock > Southern Rock

Editorial Reviews

Though RCA released only three LPs and an EP of dedicated gospel material during the lifetime of Elvis Presley, it's likely that he sang more gospel than any other type of music. Late at night, after a session or a show, Elvis would seek out and keep awake anyone who could carry a tune, in order to pore over the nuggets of gospel music he had soaked up during his early years at the Assembly of God churches in Tupelo and Memphis. And among Elvis' most prized awards, among hundreds, were his four Grammy awards for Best Sacred Performance or Best Inspirational Performance. Elvis: Ultimate Gospel completes RCA's cycle of Elvis gospel remasters, which began in 1994 with the two-disc Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Songs and continued with the three-disc box set Peace in the Valley. This one is a solid single-disc sampler, simple but stellar, including roughly half of his officially released gospel material. The selections are judiciously spread from throughout his career; two come from the 1957 EP Peace in the Valley, six are from 1967's How Great Thou Art, and seven each are from 1960's His Hand in Mine and 1972's He Touched Me. The only caveat is the disorienting sequencing that finds songs from different eras scattered across this collection; consider the fairly large step required to move from the sweet, reverent Elvis of 1960's "Crying in the Chapel" to the grandiose Elvis of 1967's "You'll Never Walk Alone." Everything else about this collection is accomplished, but fans of gospel in general or Elvis specifically should consider either the two-disc collection or an original album like His Hand in Mine, which stands out as among the best recordings in Elvis' discography. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars His BEST single CD Gospel collection! March 7, 2007

By A Fan

Format:Audio CD

Very powerful performances and of course Elvis' voice is unmatched. He was made to sing Gospel and he puts his heart into every performance. The only Grammies he won were for his Gospel recordings. I know there are many Elvis Gospel collections available, but this one is his best single CD Gospel collection! To top this one you would have to get the 2 CD "Amazing Grace" or the 3 CD "Peace in the Valley" set.

The 2007 release is slightly different than the original "Elvis Ultimate Gospel" CD released in 2004. On the 2007 version they added two songs "In My Father's House" and "An Evening Prayer" and deleted "Miracle Of The Rosary". I guess you could say it is the Protestant version of "Elvis Ultimate Gospel". If you like Gospel music and don't want to spend a lot of money on multi-CD releases, I highly recommend this CD.

The CD was a minor hit in the US when it was first released in 2004, reaching 9 on the Top Christian Albums chart and 30 on the Country Albums chart. It would eventually be certified GOLD by the RIAA.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just wonderful December 21, 2004

By musicfanatic

Format:Audio CD

This is the best single-disc compilation of Elvis' Gospel songs that you can get. The sound is very good, too. Even though these songs are gospel, they have a quality that transcends gospel and would have a lot of appeal to those interested in secular music. I highly recommened this to anyone and especially Elvis fans.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful addition to Elvis' catalog March 23, 2004

By Jeffrey Courouleau

Format:Audio CD

I just picked up this CD, and as a huge Elvis fan, I am happy to have a lot of this gospel material included from the original mastertapes. What they have done reveals a lot of subtle features that previous releases did not.

The reason I can't give it 5 stars is that I think they left off a few songs that are essential to ANY gospel compilation. Stand By Me, I Believe, and Where No One Stands Alone are songs I think could have been used in place of a few of the later gospel songs.

But, I love what is here, and the sound and packaging is great. If you don't want to shell out for the 2 CD Amazing Grace or the 3 CD Peace In The Valley, this is a nice introduction to Elvis' gospel.