The first batch of three albums features 'A Date With Elvis', 'Elvis At Stax' and the 'Elvis Sings' compilation. Is it worth adding these new versions to your collection?
Design
The Music on Vinyl record label always remains true to the original designs of the albums they re-issue for Sony Legacy, this album is no exception. And with a shot of Elvis from the 'That's The Way It Is' rehearsals, you can't go wrong in my book as the image is a fitting choice, looking at some of "impromptu jams" and live versions included on this album. The "Living Stereo" and old "RCA Victor" logo on the jacket add a sense of nostalgia, taking us back to the early seventies.
Also included is a double sided sheet with the recording details and quotes from the composers and original performers of the songs featured on this double LP by Ken Sharp. It adds some interesting background to the tracks on this set.
Content
And this is exactly what we get on this record, here we definitely hear Elvis, even when he sings other artists' hits. We don't hear the teenager trying to record his first song - a fragile one-taker, cut straight into the acetate - but the matured artist, who owned every song, even if it was made famous by somebody else.
This album features songs written and performed by the likes of Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Ray Charles, the Bee Gees, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willie Nelson and Dusty Springfield. But also songs from lesser known artists like Little Walter's 'My Babe' or a traditional like 'Danny Boy'. Oddly enough, it wasn't always the recording by the original composers that Elvis used as inspiration, Elvis picked up two Bob Dylan compositions from the 1965 'Odetta Sings Dylan' LP and Gordon Lightfoot's 'Early Mornin' Rain' from Ian and Sylvia's 1965 recording.
The album opens with the magnificent cover of Chuck Berry's 'Promised Land', this one shows Elvis could still rock it in 1973, with James Burton on lead guitar, totally in sync with Presley's vocal, just listen to him crying out "Aaaah, get on now!" This is Rock and Roll!
Following this strong opener we go back 10 years with a rockin' 'What'd I Say' before we return to the seventies with Elvis's laid-back take on 'Early Morning Rain'. Listening to 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' we can only conclude that Elvis really owned these hits, on the latter a little more perhaps, as the Righteous Brothers interpretation is hard to surpass.
'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right' and 'Got My Mojo Working / Keep Your Hands Off Of it' are two great jams, especially the Dylan composition is a version that always gets a repeat from me. Simple as it is, it never gets boring. Elvis's take on the Muddy Waters song sounds quite alienated, but really rocks!
This album features songs written and performed by the likes of Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Ray Charles, the Bee Gees, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willie Nelson and Dusty Springfield. But also songs from lesser known artists like Little Walter's 'My Babe' or a traditional like 'Danny Boy'. Oddly enough, it wasn't always the recording by the original composers that Elvis used as inspiration, Elvis picked up two Bob Dylan compositions from the 1965 'Odetta Sings Dylan' LP and Gordon Lightfoot's 'Early Mornin' Rain' from Ian and Sylvia's 1965 recording.
The album opens with the magnificent cover of Chuck Berry's 'Promised Land', this one shows Elvis could still rock it in 1973, with James Burton on lead guitar, totally in sync with Presley's vocal, just listen to him crying out "Aaaah, get on now!" This is Rock and Roll!
Following this strong opener we go back 10 years with a rockin' 'What'd I Say' before we return to the seventies with Elvis's laid-back take on 'Early Morning Rain'. Listening to 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' we can only conclude that Elvis really owned these hits, on the latter a little more perhaps, as the Righteous Brothers interpretation is hard to surpass.
Other stand-out interpretations by Elvis are his versions of 'My Way and 'Tomorrow Is A Long Time'. The former may be Sinatra's signature song, but when Elvis sings it I really feel it. Perhaps Dylan had the same feeling when he heard Elvis's interpretation of his 'Tomorrow Is a Long Time', as he said it was the recording "he treasured most".
Most of the songs on this compilation were recorded between 1969 and 1972, quite close in time to the recordings by the original composers, making the album sound coherent. 'Danny Boy' - a favorite of both Elvis and his father - is one of the few exceptions. This compilation features the 1959 home-recording and not the 1976 version Elvis recorded so many years later in the Jungle Room for his 'From Elvis Presley Boulevard' album. The same goes for the two Ray Charles' recordings 'I Got a Woman (1956) and 'You Don't Know Me' (1966), although delivered with great spirit and conviction, they don't fit the timeframe.
Conclusion
This compilation features over twenty stellar performances, and would have made a great release around 1973 as it is both contemporary and shows the versatility of Presley's voice. He really could apply his unique vocal styling, passion and emotion to any material, and this album with Gospel, Blues, Rhythm and Blues and Rock and Roll compositions illustrates that nicely.
It is good to see a compilation like this one next to the standard "best of" budget compilations at my local record store. So I for one, am looking forward to the fourteen other re-issues that are due between August 2025 and February 2026. Bring them on!
Most of the songs on this compilation were recorded between 1969 and 1972, quite close in time to the recordings by the original composers, making the album sound coherent. 'Danny Boy' - a favorite of both Elvis and his father - is one of the few exceptions. This compilation features the 1959 home-recording and not the 1976 version Elvis recorded so many years later in the Jungle Room for his 'From Elvis Presley Boulevard' album. The same goes for the two Ray Charles' recordings 'I Got a Woman (1956) and 'You Don't Know Me' (1966), although delivered with great spirit and conviction, they don't fit the timeframe.
Conclusion
This compilation features over twenty stellar performances, and would have made a great release around 1973 as it is both contemporary and shows the versatility of Presley's voice. He really could apply his unique vocal styling, passion and emotion to any material, and this album with Gospel, Blues, Rhythm and Blues and Rock and Roll compositions illustrates that nicely.
It is good to see a compilation like this one next to the standard "best of" budget compilations at my local record store. So I for one, am looking forward to the fourteen other re-issues that are due between August 2025 and February 2026. Bring them on!
More Information
The sets are also available from Amazon, click here for >>> 'A Date With Elvis', of here for >>> 'Elvis At Stax' and here for >>> 'Elvis Sings' (associate links).