Customer Reviews

X2:Elvis Presley/Elvis' Gold Records, Vol. 4

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This CD pairs two Elvis releases, his classic first album from 1956 "Elvis Presley" and 1968's "Elvis' Gold Records Volume 4". While this is a nice set if you do not already own the individual releases, it is a rather odd pairing.

"Elvis Presley" was rock and roll's first hit album and probably the first rock and roll album period. This album is underrated and under appreciated for its impact on popular music worldwide. It went to number 1 on the US album chart and stayed there for 10 weeks. As originally released in the US it contained 12 great songs and was a huge hit in the US and worldwide. It was an important part of the revolution in music that Elvis was leading. This reissue is even better than the original, with bonus tracks including his first international hit, Heartbreak Hotel (it was not included on the original in 1956 because RCA did not want the album to hurt sales of the single; this was a common practice at the time). Despite no single being released from the original album, an EP was released including Elvis' version of Blue Suede Shoes which became a top 20 hit in the US and top 10 in the UK. Money Honey also became a minor hit and is my favorite song on the CD. This album was historic and is a must for Elvis and rock fans!

"Elvis' Gold Records Volume 4" was probably the weakest of Elvis' Gold Records series. It was a modest hit in 1968, peaking at 33 on the US album chart and being certified GOLD by the RIAA. 11 songs on here were hits, but the only really big hit was (You're The) Devil in Disguise which went to number 3 on the US singles chart in 1963 (it went to number 1 in the UK). My favorite song on here is a classic rocker Ain't That Loving You Baby which hit 16 on the US singles chart in 1964, it should have been a bigger hit! Love Letters hit 19 on the singles chart in 1966, Witchcraft hit 32 in 1963, It Hurts Me peaked at 29 in 1964, What'd I Say from the movie Viva Las Vegas hit 21 in 1964, Indescribably Blue 33 in 1967, Lonely Man 32 in 1961, Mess of Blues 32 in 1960, Ask Me 12 in 1964, and Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello 55 in 1962.

I was looking for "mess of blues" and the only way I could get it cheap was to get this great set. This is the begining of rock and roll as we know it and Elvis picking the best of the best writers and presenting the material in his own unique style was perfect in every way. Wish I was old enough to go to that live performance in 1955 with my brother.

Got to say it brings back memories!