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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better Late Than Never..., June 2, 2000
Until the mid-'90s, the great "Burnin' Love", Elvis' last top-ten hit, could only be found on the skimpy and misnamed _Gold Records, Volume 5_ or the utterly wasteful and wretched _Elvis Sings "Burning Love" and Hits From His Movies_. This compilation is designed to replace the later and represents the first concerted effort to compile all of his 1972 recordings on one CD. The concept alone warrants this collection four stars. The quality of the music, however, keeps this from being five stars.For example, do we really need yet another one-minute throwaway live version of "Hound Dog"? What about "Little Sister" or "A Big Hunk O' Love"? The answer to all of these is a resounding "NO!" The other live tracks (all recorded in Feb. 1972) included in this collection benefit from the fact that they were relatively new to Elvis' set list at the time. This results in performances of "You Gave Me a Mountain", "Never Been to Spain", and "An American Trilogy" which are vastly superior to the later versions of these songs included on _Live at Madison Square Garden_ and _Aloha From Hawaii_. As for studio cuts, they range from abolutely outstanding ("Burning Love", "It's Only Love", "Always on My Mind) to forgettable ("I'm Leavin'", "For the Good Times", "It's a Matter of Time") At the time the studio tracks were cut, Elvis' personal life was in the embryonic stages of the downward slide which would finally end on August 16, 1977. Not the least of these problems was the fact that Elvis' marriage was in deep trouble. Tracks such as "Fool", "Seperate Ways", "Always on My Mind", and especially "You Gave me a Mountain" brilliantly illustrate the pain that Elvis must have been feeling at the time. On the other hand, Elvis seems extremely distracted by these same problems on the weaker cuts on the CD. Over all, this is easily the best overview of this period of Elvis' life.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The *real* Burning Love album, February 3, 2006
The budget album released under the big hit title was pretty o.k. - remove about three negligible numbers and you've got a decent collection (including a powerful track that even the most supportive critics always seem to miss, "Tonight Is So Right For Love"). Anyway, this CD comes about 27 years later and contains more than enough for a great record - strong material, well produced, well performed. But we have to eliminate six tunes for the '72 album that shoulda been.
It's unusual to begin by listing these tracks which ofcourse stand alone mightily - the brilliant, patriotic "An American Trilogy", probably his best rendition, could have been saved for an *Inspirational* l.p., along with "The Impossible Dream", a compelling workout, which unfortunately reveals some small inconsistencies in Elvis' vocal. He may have bitten off more than he can chew on this soaring ballad. "Never Been To Spain" is one of Presley's best lesser-discussed set pieces but it would belong in a more typical, eclectic E. P. record at that time. "Hound Dog", "A Big Hunk...", and "Little Sister"/"Get Back" are engaging but also would belong elsewhere.
Now we are left with space for 12. And "Burning Love" would naturally lead off. It seems Elvis himself did not care much for the song or for singing it, but it became a late-career classic. The bass run at midsong is irresistible. Red West's ballad "Separate Ways" still sounds great, and still is Top Ten material. "I'm Leavin'" also missed the Top Ten slot it deserved. Perhaps the unusual "beat ballad" was...too unusual. It is a tribute to the man that he could effortlessly transform his own voice for the sake of the song. "It's A Matter Of Time" could be described in the same way - more commercial (in the Country-pop direction) but no off-hand B-side. "It's Only Love" landed even farther away from the vaunted area of the chart than did "Leavin'" but here we have another fine vocal over an insistent rhythm.
The less familiar "You Gave Me A Mountain" found here is really a masterpiece. It must have been a challenge for Elvis to deal with some of the lyrics which must have had a biographical significance for him. "Always On My Mind" succeeded as a *global* hit and is another gem which warrants more spins - in '72 record business jargon. "Fool" and "It's Over" may been a bit overproduced but are consistent with the Presley '70s sound.
The atmospheric "Where Do I Go From Here" is B-side/album-filler material with interesting use of echo. Some may find his voice too far back - but there are indications that the artist preferred this kind of mix.
Good to great songs and attractive packaging and terrific booklet notes make for a pleasant musical experience.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Memories for this Elvis fan, November 20, 2005
Most of the already written reviews have covered all critical aspects of this cd. I want to add (or repeat): this is the album that should have been (um, replace a few songs here, tho). If this had been a proper album THEN (in 1972-3), a lot of non-elvis fans would have enjoyed having a record to play that also included Burning Love. maybe it would have been as good a time capsule as From Elvis in Memphis was in 1969. i can only imagine the disgust some people had finding Burning Love on the 'hits vol 2'. heck, notice how manager colonel parker enticed us big elvis fans to buy the lp back then by inserting a promo photo! :). the first edition of the LP with the promo material is now a collector's item!
as for me, i enjoy this cd because it comprises the 45s and popular concert songs elvis was doing at that time. as the songs play on, i remember the 45s as i bought them (and i liked them *all*), and the good times i was having seeing elvis live at the hilton.
the first time i played this, i didnt want my trip down memory lane to end and i shed a few tears when the cd was finished. it was so nice to feel like a teenager again while it played...
this is a cd i play often enough, especially when i am in a 70s elvis mood. i am very glad it is in my elvis music collection.
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