Customer Reviews

Great Country Songs

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Before it was rock'n'roll, it was country. This is the first-ever documentation of Elvis' interpretation of the Southern musical backdrop he grew up in. In his first public appearance in 1945 at the age of ten, he sang Red Foley's sentimental 'Old Shep'; at his last recording in Graceland in October '76 the final number was 'He'll Have To Go'. Both songs are included here.

Other tracks on the album feature compositions by Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and include some of "the greats"--'Your Cheatin' Heart','From A Jack To A King', 'Funny How Time Slips Away', 'Always On My Mind', 'Guitar Man', plus never before released recordings of 'There Goes My Everything', 'Green Green Grass of Home', 'Just Call Me Lonesome', 'Help Me Make It Through The Night' and 'Fairytale'. The combination here is irresistable.

This is the collection that shows why Elvis is in the Country Hall Of Fame. If you still have doubts buy this CD, put it in your player, sit down, push play and listen with an open mind, you'll be convinced.

I guess we are all aware of those great rock hits of the King and alot of people are amazed at the Gospel songs but Country! Well folks just purchase this CD and hear for yourself some of the most beautiul Country Music out today. If you like good Country Music don't let this slip by. You won't regreat it!

"Great Country Songs" represents an expansive overview of Elvis Presley's country legacy. This 25-track compilation includes five previously unreleased alternate takes and producer Felton Jarvis' 1981 update of "Guitar Man" - the King's last No. 1 hit until 2002's "A Little Less Conversation" remix. The highlights are numerous, with "Just Call Me Lonesome," "I'll Hold You in My Heart" and a sublime "Funny How Time Slips Away" among the truly stellar performances. Listening to this inspired collection makes you wonder why Elvis wasn't inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame sooner.

This is Elvis' best single CD collection of country tunes. It covers the entire span of his career, from his early days at Sun right on through the 70's. This collection includes several alternate versions of songs not available anywhere else, including the 1981 remix version of "Guitar Man" which was a top 30 hit in the US and went all the way to number 1 on the country music chart!

Highly recommended if you like country music.

Obviously, this is a collection of country songs recorded by Elvis Presley. Elvis had a great affinity for country music, having grown up in Memphis. These 24 songs are fine examples of Elvis' love for country music. The main attractions here, from a serious Elvis fan's standpoint, are the previously unreleased alternate takes of five songs. This album also marked the first appearance on CD of the 1980 remix of "Guitar Man". The story behind the remix is: producer Felton Jarvis erased the backing track to the song, and gave it a new backing track to make it sound like an '80s country song, which ironically makes it sound more dated than the original version. Anyway, this is a solid collection of songs that Elvis fans will enjoy.

I enjoyed all of Elvis' songs. Especially his "jiving" as he sang. I did not know he recorded any Country Songs. Being a devoted Country fan since about 1937, well, maybe 1938, I don't know how I missed this one. You can't go wrong with Elvis.

Dorothy W. Rossa

Chicago, IL