Review - Elvis Rocker - Revisited

Up next in the Memphis Mansion "vinyl re-issue program" is their interpretation of the 1984 compilation 'Elvis -  Rocker'. Is it worth adding this edition to your collection?  

 

Design

 

The original was an instant classic, emphasizing Elvis' roots seven years after his death. And while I thought this one couldn't be improved, Søren Karstensen managed to do just that! While keeping the spirit of the original, the now colorized picture really stands out against the original background. This is a cover that is suited for framing!

 

The back is a replica of the original, with a slightly different - and if I may say so - better image. The use of a motor wheel for the label is a brilliant idea. The LP comes on yellow, red, blue and transparent splattered colored vinyl, so plenty to choose from. Design-wise, this is a fine upgrade.

 

Audio

 

The big difference with the original is the audio, with the Mono Masters being upgraded to Stereo by the label's engineer Anthony Stuchbury. By now we are familiar with his work, but he still finds ways to improve on his own work on certain songs, so audio nerds may spot a few tweaks while others will simply enjoy the music and perhaps not realize that they are listening to a Stereo version, that's how authentic these classics sound.

 

I do realize that these new mixes are a matter of taste, but as an alternative to the originals, I for one enjoy these versions, and on vinyl these new Stereo Mixes have even more space to breathe making these Stereo Mixes a little more spatial than on CD to these ears.

 

The vinyl is from Danish Nordsø Records again, they know their vinyl, so no complaints here. Audio-wise, this is a great sounding upgrade.

Content

 

Rock and Roll / Rockabilly was hot again in the first half of the eighties. With the King of Rock and Roll in their catalog, it was only logical that RCA jumped on the bandwagon. Besides the horribly overdubbed 'I Was the One' they also released 'Elvis - Rocker'. 

What made this one of the better Elvis Rock and Roll compilations was the selection of songs - from his first singles and his 1956 and 1957 albums - that still had that raw edge that made Elvis the rocker that shocked society when he entered the living room through the speakers or television shows.

 

On this LP we get the exact same songs with the bonus songs 'Party' and 'My baby Left Me'. This matches the original selection of songs like Little Richard's 'Long Tall Sally', Carl Perkins's 'Blue Suede Shoes', Big Mama Thornton's 'Hound Dog' and 'Jailhouse Rock' by the same songwriters.

 

What can we say, this is the sound that made Elvis the "King of Rock and Roll", or should I say, "the Rocker". Content-wise, this is a rockin' upgrade.

 

Conclusion

 

This novelty album is a great update on all fronts: the design, the song selection and the Stereo mixes. And while it looks "designed" it sounds as raw as it should! This is the kind of compilation that should be in every fan's collection. 

I have only one complaint, just like its original, the running-time is still way too short!

You can order the LP at the >>> Memphis Mansion webshop.