Hot on the heels of "The Danish Singles Collection Volumes 1 and 2" LPs the Memphis Mansion Record label released the LP “Elvis Presley at the Louisiana Hayride 1954 - 1956”. Is it just another “Hayride” compilation or does it offer more for fans?
Design
This LP is the 3rd offering from the recently created 'Memphis Mansion' record label and the first release of 2020. The LP - ten inch in size - comes in two limited editions: turquoise vinyl with a pink label (100 copies) and pink vinyl with a blue label (300 copies).
Both housed in a sturdy sleeve with a colorful design by Søren Karstensen that reminds me of the Memphis Recording Service releases “The Beginning of Elvis Presley” and “The Rise of Elvis Presley”.
Both housed in a sturdy sleeve with a colorful design by Søren Karstensen that reminds me of the Memphis Recording Service releases “The Beginning of Elvis Presley” and “The Rise of Elvis Presley”.
Content
The liner notes by Anthony Stuchbury summarize the content nicely, a compilation that highlights the rarest of Elvis Presley's Hayride performances, all sandwiched between his first and last appearances on this legendary radio show.
Side A opens with Elvis' debut performance and side B ends with his final ever performance. Together these recordings illustrate the early days of our man and his rise to fame. It starts with Elvis Presley, SUN’s new kid on the (country) block and ends with Elvis Presley as RCA’s Atomic Powered Singer.
Side A opens with Elvis' debut performance and side B ends with his final ever performance. Together these recordings illustrate the early days of our man and his rise to fame. It starts with Elvis Presley, SUN’s new kid on the (country) block and ends with Elvis Presley as RCA’s Atomic Powered Singer.
These recordings were never intended for a commercial release, the concerts were initially recorded as proof for the programs sponsors that their commercials were broadcasted over the airwaves during the shows. It is almost a miracle that they survived.
I’m no real fan of these early recordings due to the poor quality of most recordings but on this release they sound really fresh. The audio has been remastered and you can hear it. It has more punch, less hiss than previous outings - just compare “Little Mama” on this album with the ‘original’ version on the “A Boy From Tupelo”. Also a little jump on “Little Mama” - sourced from a broken acetate - has been corrected. This version may become the “go-to version” of this track for me.
Conclusion
“Elvis Presley At The Hayride Live 1954-1956” paints a colorful - literally with the shiny vinyl colors - and enjoyable picture of Elvis Presley on the Louisiana Hayride. Both audio-wise and in the selection of songs. A strong compilation, starting with his first local hit “That’s All Right Mama” and closing with his global smash hit “Hound Dog”.