With so many releases coming out, the question arises as to whether the purchase is justified, given that we already have these songs in our collections multiple times, including a 1997 BMG/RCA combo of both soundtracks. Fred van Veen and Kees Mouwen spun the disc.
Design
This CD comes in a so-called super jewel box, a choice I might not have made myself, though the producer clearly aimed for a "Deluxe" feel. The cover art is simple yet effective with Elvis’ iconic pose on the front, full-size portraits from both movies inside and smaller shots on the back.
The 8-page booklet provides clear background information on both the films and their soundtracks. David Parker, who did the design and wrote the liner notes, selected the perfect accompanying images, making it a complete package.
Content
The album features the 11 songs from both soundtracks twice, once in original but cleaned Mono and once as newly created Stereo Masters. So the first 11 tracks cater to Mono purists who prefer not to have the audio converted to Stereo, and they certainly won't be disappointed. Producer Anthony Stuchbury possesses an impeccable ear for Mono sound.
The first five tracks cover the ‘Love Me Tender’ soundtrack, including the ‘Love Me Tender’ end title. I honestly have never heard them sound this clean and fresh before. As I am not a huge fan of this soundtrack, I was surprised to find myself listening to these recordings with genuine pleasure.
The next six Mono tracks comprise the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ soundtrack; these surpass, albeit narrowly, the quality of the material found on the earlier FTD ‘Jailhouse Rock’ CD release I have. From track 12 onwards, it is once again the turn of the ‘Love Me Tender’ soundtrack. This time, the new Stereo versions. And what a treat they are! They sound clean and fresh, but - forgive the metaphor - it’s like biting into a crisp, tart apple, with the juice washing over every taste bud on your tongue! Only here, the experience plays out in your ears, pampering your Eustachian tubes with musical bliss. Needless to say, I’m even more enthusiastic about these ‘Jailhouse Rock’ Stereo recordings.
While we’ve previously had (almost) all these recordings in beautiful Stereo, including on Anthony Stuchbury’s ‘The Essential 50s Masters’ 4-CD set from 2024, this CD edges ahead by a nose.
As a bonus collectors get the previously unreleased 'Love Me Tender - Undubbed End Title' and CD debut of the movie version of 'Treat Me Nice', so there's even something new on this disc.
Conclusion
The question of whether it is worth buying this music all over again remains, of course, a matter of personal choice. Three hundred personal choices, to be exact, and those smart audiophile individuals chose to go for the ultimate sound quality, we did!
The CD is limited to 300 copies and is available exclusively in the U.K. from the >>> Official UK Elvis Presley Fan Club webshop and exclusively in the E.U. from Memphis Mansion.
Read the interview with recently did with >>> Anthony Stuchbury.
Reviewer >>> Fred van Veen hosts the weekly 2-hour >>> 'Elvis Extra - The Memphis Flash' online radio show. Click the link to follow Fred and the Radio Show. Each last Saturday of the month we do a wrap-up of the news.