Platinum: A Life in Music [Box set, Limited Edition]

Elvis Presley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 15, 1997)
• Original Release Date: July 15, 1997
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Limited Edition
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Bmg / Elvis
• ASIN: B000002X3D
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,672 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The first of the "unreleased" box sets, March 7, 2007

By 

A Fan (VA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Platinum: A Life in Music (Audio CD)

This was the first of three Elvis box sets to primarily include previously unreleased versions and performances (the others being "Today, Tomorrow, and Forever" and "Close Up"). BMG/RCA must have been unsure of the marketability of a set made up exclusively of unreleased material, so they hedged their bets with this set by including 23 hits along with 77 previously unreleased recordings. This is a very good collection and provides some interesting insight into Elvis' artistic and recording evolution. While most of the alternate versions are close to the final releases, they tend to have a less polished sound which in some cases I actually prefer. Closing the set with an excerpt from Elvis' JayCees speach was a nice touch - very moving.

Out of the three "previously unreleased" box sets, I would rank this one a close second to "Today, Tomorrow, and Forever", primarily because that one contains 100 previously unreleased recordings while this one only has 77. However, both are certainly worthwhile projects for avid Elvis fans - though they are overkill for average fans.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Diverse collection, February 23, 2006

By 

Phil S. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Platinum: A Life in Music (Audio CD)

This is perhaps the best *balanced* Presley boxed-set yet. Familiar classics mixed with less familiar alternate takes. The casual fan who might be unfamiliar with a later tune like "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" can hear it in its original release version; can also hear "Heartbreak Hotel" in an entertaining variation. For the dedicated student, there's an amazing amount of tracks with a level of creativity not reached in the first issue ("Guitar Man"), others.
Brightest highlight: a looser, more rockin' (if you can believe it) workout on "A Big Hunk O' Love" - I think Little Richard himself would be impressed. The hit single was one of the greatest in R & R history, but this less-polished take is one for the ages. The more serious, "personal", Country ballad, "Always On My Mind" caught me a little off-guard. I must be getting older because it nearly brought me to tears - this man is crying out from the deepest recess of his soul. Willie Nelson's made a terrific record of the tune, but this cut surpasses Nelson's *and* Presley's original. "Bossa Nova, Baby" lacks the punch of the hit 45rpm, but has the same fun atmosphere. A few different lyrics will make the collectors smile. "You'll Never Walk Alone" is another intense statement - and another lost multi-million seller. It took a while for folks to really appreciate his performance - and to learn that was him at the piano! It's still electrifying 37 years later.
There are some problems in sound quality, in A & R, and in historical notation. The "Bad Nauheim Medley" is barely discernable; "Blowin' In The Wind" never should have been included - it works only for the nearly obsessed collector; his accompaniment is apparently a record!. "After Loving You" has little relation to the gem on "From Elvis In Memphis". Also note that two tracks are said to be from '61 when now we read that they were from '59 - actually a big difference in time and in Presley's vocal development. Not a major flaw by any means but to have a progression of dates go '67, '66, then '61 on Disc 2 spoils the overall delivery somewhow.
The written notes of Colin Escott are tremendous; the photographs are too.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Etched in Gold, August 23, 1999

By 

Peter Letheby (Adelaide, South Australia Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Platinum: A Life in Music (Audio CD)

The seemingly never ending stocktake of RCA's Presley vaults has uncovered a genuinely outstanding package of performances by the master. Included in this set are tracks which were deemed to be unworthy of release at the time, underlining a musical integrity not apparent in the welter of commercially-driven soundtracks.

Choice moments include a brilliant account of "What'd I Say" from rehearsals for "That's The Way It Is", replicating Ray Charles to a tee, while his commanding performance of "You'll Never Walk Alone" is gut wrenching, leaving Elvis, and the listener, drained.

A gritty, determinedly "down home" reading of "Blueberry Hill" (transferred from acetate) effortlessly overshadows the officially released version, while a rare live version of "Stuck on You" (from the Sinatra TV special) and the blistering Milton Berle show performance of "Hound Dog" are indispensable additions to any true fans' collection.

Also of note is an interesting, "looser" take of "Bossa Nova Baby", with the band blowing up a storm on the instrumental break, and Elvis resorting cheekily to the original lyric ("drink you fink, oh fiddly dink I can dance with a drink in my hand").