Great Country Songs [Original recording remastered]

Elvis Presley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 7, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1955
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Bmg / Elvis
• ASIN: B00007L4RK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,860 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Elvis Presley was perceived as a country music newcomer in 1954, albeit an unorthodox one. In later years, regardless of how much pop fluff and insipid movie fare he recorded, country remained a vital touchstone. This generously programmed collection (including five previously unissued alternate takes) serves as a powerful reminder. It begins with the Sun recordings of "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and samples Elvis's rocking, early RCA versions of beloved country tunes "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again" and his childhood favorite, "Old Shep." Elvis drew from all over the spectrum, covering Eddy Arnold's 1947 hit, "I'll Hold You in My Heart," along with the later "Green, Green Grass of Home," "Help Me Make It Through the Night," and "He'll Have to Go." A newer country cover, of Jerry Reed's "Guitar Man," returned him to the hard-rocking style that many feared he'd abandoned. By drawing from across the board, this set offers a vital look at an often-underappreciated side of Presley. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Overview....., September 4, 2004

By 

Nathan D. Watson "Nathan" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Country Songs (Audio CD)

This review is written mainly to refute some points made by the other reviewers who are quite mistaken. This CD was not a quick release to cash in on 30 #1 Hits....in fact, it was actually released in 1996 - a full 7 years before 30 #1 Hits! Some fact checking is in order, folks. Ignore the reviewer who said Kentucky Rain and Always On My Mind don't fit in. Both are seamlessly integrated into the tracklist (let's not forget Willie Nelson's cover was a much bigger hit on the country chart than the pop chart and the fact that the Pet Shop Boys covered it - turning it into a disco hit - has no bearing on its country roots.). If you enjoy this, I recommend his 1971 Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) CD....but this is for those who want an overview and it does the job in spades. The only song that does not really work is "He'll Have To Go" because Elvis tried to be too faithful to the Jim Reeves original. Elvis almost always relied on his own instincts in covering a song and this one feels like he's trying to be ol' Jim. But this is still an essential CD.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great collection of fine performances., June 12, 2000

By 

Burning Love (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Country Songs (Audio CD)

This collection features some of the more country-oriented songs that Elvis recorded in his 20+ recording career. From "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" in 1954 to "He'll Have to Go" in 1976, Elvis puts a lot into these performances.

Highlights on this collection include "Kentucky Rain", "Make the World Go Away", and "Always On My Mind".

For the collectors, there are outtakes of "Your Cheatin' Heart", "Just Call Me Lonesome", "There Goes My Everything", "Green Green Grass of Home", "Fairytale", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night". Also included is the 1981 remix of "Guitar Man".

Nice collection, considering some of the lesser compilations that RCA has put out.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Elvis is in the Country Music Hall of Fame., June 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Country Songs (Audio CD)

After hearing Elvis Presely sing these country songs you begin to forget that he's known by most people as a rock singer! His voice is excellant and I recommend this CD to all you young country music fans. I always wondered why Elvis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and now I found my answer wilh this CD.