Elvis Presley - Elv1s 30 #1 Hits
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Free Music Notes for Elv1s 30 #1 Hits
Free Music Review: Could've been six or seven stars... it's THAT perfect
Hit: 5 Stars
There's no question that anyone born after The King's time will find this CD most beneficial. That is of course if you like Elvis Presley's music. I'm only 19 years old, but have always enjoyed hearing popular Elvis songs on oldies radio stations and such. Songs like "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock", to name a few, are timeless classics that helped influence me in buying this record in the first place. But to be honest, I was even happier with some of the songs I didn't know. Especially "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame"; which has since become a favorite of mine. And that's what I have to say to anyone 'contemplating' buying this album... You may know a number of these songs; and on the other hand there's definitely some you won't know. Do NOT let that dissuade you. You won't be let down with any of the songs and you'll only end up wanting more.Also, the sound quality of all these tracks is absolutely amazing! The 'original recording remastered' slogan doesn't even begin to prepare you for how perfect each song sounds. There is no variance between the tracks, and you won't have to turn up your volume five or six notches to get the full sound; which is something that is old hat with many other artist's 'remastered' albums. It really makes the experience a more meaningful, crisper one. Especially on the bonus track (if you can even call it that), "A Little Less Conversation (Remix)". The sound seems more modern and at times techno-like, which is something that works wonders for the song. They should've just entitled the album ELV1S 31 #1 Hits, because it's just that good. Really.
As my review title noted, this CD could've easily been worthy of six or possibly seven stars. And there is only two things that keep it from being just that. One... Amazon only allows you to give your reviews up to five stars. So I guess that's irrelevant anyways. But had they allowed us to extend our stars past five, the second (Two...) thing that would've keep this at 5 stars is the absence of, in my mind, two key tracks. The first is a not-so-popular Elvis track, "Such A Night". It was featured on the soundtrack to the Kevin Costner/Kurt Russell Elvis take-off film '3000 Miles To Graceland'; which was horribly overlooked and unloved amongst critics (though maybe not Elvis fans). Oddly enough, "Such A Night" is my favorite Elvis song of all-time. Call me naïve, but remember: I'm only 19 years old. Another song that might be missing is an Elvis Presley Christmas tune. I particularly enjoy the short, rockin' "Here Comes Santa Claus"; but there are a number of classics to chose from (i.e. "White Christmas", "Blue Christmas", etc). Whatever the case may be, I was a bit disappointed to not find a Christmas song from a guy who (seemingly) rocked Christmas year after year after year.
In the end, this is still a perfect greatest hits collaboration. It's fit for the longtime, diehard Elvis fan who already owns every Elvis CD; in the sense that it's remastered and features the landmark newbie "A Little Less Conversation (Remix)". And it's even more worthwhile for people like me; who have grown up only hearing Elvis classics on the radio and hearing about him from our parents. Even if they still claim he stole the black man's music. And you know what? Even if he did "steal" it (which he really didn't, how does that work?), I still don't know anyone quite as admired and amazing as Elvis Presley. At least not 25 years after their death (that is still questioned, in jest, as we speak). Come on! If there's one greatest hits worth owning, it's this one. Everyone needs a little piece of Elvis in their life.
Free Music Review: 30 chart topping hits that you have to buy.
Hit: 5 Stars
Elvis Presley. The King. Burger guzzling, pill popping, jump suited cultural atrocity. Impersonated, idolised, revered. Heart stopping beauty, hip thrusting iconoclast. Elvis. How easy to forget that under the smothering legend there was also a singer.This collection therefore offers an ideal opportunity to take a hard look at the musical legacy and ask whether it still bears scrutiny. To many Elvis seems the preserve of the aged, ridiculous and irrelevant, but this record makes it clear that Elvis is one of the major ghosts haunting pop music, as powerful and potent a presence as The Beatles, Bowie and Dylan.
'Number Ones' brilliantly kicks off with Presley's voice, raw, whooping 'well, since my baby left me', and leading into the bluesy boogie of 'Heartbreak Hotel'. It's a stark reminder of Presley's charisma and just how earth shattering this feral music must have felt, crashing into the polite world of the post war fifties. It also reminds how apt a phrase rock and roll was: this music really does rock with sexual energy and roll with lecherous intent.
Speaking of sexual energy, 'Hound Dog' is unbelievably lewd, a thunderous slice of carnality that makes Prince sound like a eunuch. 'All Shook Up' is as fresh and irresistible as ever, and 'Jailhouse Rock' is a thrilling, charged rock masterpiece. Strangely, the recent remix of 'A Little Less Conversation' sits quite happily amongst these tracks, similarly virile and brash. For the gusto and potency Elvis brought to rock, we are forever in his debt.
Presley the balladeer is as influential, though this is more an accusation than a plaudit. Though Presley's technical performances on melodramas such as 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' are spectacular, there is something manipulative in these songs, the sheer sugariness of the sentiments appearing to hide a fatal insincerity. Its an insincerity that has been one of pop's direst and most persistent maladies, today found in its purest, tritest form in Gareth Gates' soulless confections, not a word of which any sane person could believe.
Why did Presley eclipse more sincere songwriting contemporaries, such as the idiosyncratic Buddy Holly or the heartbreaking balladeer Roy Orbison? Partly its due to his skill as an all rounder, switching from swagger to sentiment with chart-teasing ease. But surely the real answer lies in one word: SEX. All pop pretty boys follow in the footsteps of this pouting momma's boy.
Few, however, can boast a back catalogue as fine as this. The spurious 'number one' theme means the sad omission of 'Always On My Mind' and the sadder inclusion of second raters such as 'Wooden Heart' and the nauseatingly camp 'Teddy Bear'.
But 'Can't Help Falling In Love' is a dreamy, seductive wonder, whilst 'In The Ghetto' overcomes its potentially hypocritical sentimentality to become a truly moving cry for the dispossessed of the world. And 'Suspicious Minds' is simply perfect; bitter, intense and harrowing, all wrapped up in one of the loveliest melodies of the last century. Even if Elvis hadn't been Elvis he would deserve remembering for this.
BIG DAN's OVERALL RATING: 9.5/10
Free Music Review: ELVIS IS EVERYWHERE!
Hit: 5 Stars
Lets face it; there can be no denying this man his place atop the music world. He is hands down, far and away the greatest pop culture icon ever. This album is important to show that Elvis 56 was just the beginning. If you listen to the music world of the mid to late 60s, the British Invasion had a hold on the charts and some of the silliest sounding songs came from that time--- poppy little egghead tunes that were annoying. Then you had the Motown sound, which after a decade had lost a lot of its verve and had become formulaic by then. Elvis' sound was fresh. While other 50s rockers were on nostalgia tours then--mainly due to the interest generated by the Comeback Special--- Elvis reinvented himself and dominated the charts again with a vibrant new sound that shaped the next decade of music.No artist crossed over as many different musical categories as Elvis. In fact 5 of his songs simultaneously held the top spot in all three musical categories. He's not only The King of Rock & Roll and Rockabilly, but he is The King of Country Music, The King of Gospel Music, The King of Concerts and The King of Dead Artists.
The late 60s Elvis music featured a fully orchestrated production, replete with horns, accompanying a powerful male lead vocal, backed up with soul singers and a choir. Right after the Memphis Record, and Suspicious Minds soared to the top of the charts, the music world changed again and the 70s saw scores of groups adopt this sound-- Ides of March, Rare Earth, Chicago, B.T.O, Hamilton-Joe-Frank & Reynolds, Joe Cocker, to name but a few. The country rock flavor of Elvis' music of this period can be found in music by The Allman Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Doobie Brothers, Lynrd Skynrd, The Eagles and a host of others.
Artists from every genre all over the world hail the King--The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jim Morrison, even Andrew Dice Clay. So many artists have taken a page from this man's style and sound if even for a song--David Bowie (Young Americans) Queen (Crazy Little Thing Called Love) The Doors (Touch Me)....The Stray Cats and Credence Clearwater Revival's music is a trip back to the Sun Record sound.
At the time of his death and directly after the country music craze went mainstream and, had he lived, Elvis' musical career in the 80s would've continued to flourish. I believe that by the 90s the leading ladies of pop would've lined up to do duets with him, and about now, as a senior citizen, he would've scaled back and returned to the skeletal accompaniment of his early days and brought about new trends in the new millennium.
Elvis was innovative to the end. His song Moody Blue raced up the charts and was only kept out of the Top 10 by the multitude of releases from the Saturday Night Fever album. The Album went to Number 3 before he died.
He is the leading selling artist of the last 25 years and he has been dead for all of them; just think how many more songs would've been on ELV1S #1 HITS had he lived....
Free Music Review: Elvis, it's the wonder of YOU !!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Elvis Presley died too young; but his music and his gift to us will live forever. This CD boasts a whopping 30 number one hits recorded by Elvis. This is not merely an introduction to Elvis or a standard retrospective of his work; this CD is also a celebration of Elvis' talent and the wonder of Elvis sharing his artistry with all of us.
The CD starts off with the classic "Heartbreak Hotel" and moves into "Don't Be Cruel." These songs offer great musical arrangements and the sound quality is excellent. The Jordanaires are backup vocalists on "Don't Be Cruel." The Jordanaires back up Elvis on other famous songs on this CD including "All Shook Up;" "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear;" "It's Now Or Never;" and "Return To Sender." These songs are very popular to this day because they address universal issues of passion, desire and heartache.
Other great songs on this CD include "(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I;" "Hound Dog;" "Jailhouse Rock;" "Suspicious Minds" and "Burning Love." Indeed, there isn't a single loser in the bunch on THIS album; these are all number one hits that prove Elvis was "The King" of rock and roll.
The songs are also presented in chronological order so you can understand how Elvis' music and talents evolved over time--a nice plus!
The liner notes are wonderful. Peter Guralnick contributes a fine essay about Elvis' career; and there is a short story about the history of each song on this CD. Ernst Mikael Jorgensen presents another insightful essay as well about the making of the CD. You get the release date and the recording date for each song; and the song credits exist as well. There's even a section describing Elvis merchandise for sale--very extensive!
There's the bonus track entitled "A Little Less Conversation" recorded originally by Elvis in 1968 and presented here in a dance mix format. The newer dance music mix version of this song is different from the rest of Elvis' work on this CD so this bonus track will be something you will either like or not like. You can listen to the Amazon sound clip if you wish.
Overall, this CD of huge number one hits by Elvis Presley proves that Elvis was--and is--the king of rock and roll. Nobody could touch an audience quite the way Elvis could. When Elvis said "I don't sound like nobody" to someone at the Sun recording studio all those years ago he really meant it. There will never be another Elvis; and we were extremely fortunate to have him entertain us with his singularly beautiful music. If you like this CD I recommend other Elvis CDs including ELVIS 2ND TO NONE and The 50 Greatest Love Songs. Thank you for everything, Elvis! We will always remember you fondly!
Free Music Review: Elvis Has Re-entered The Building
Hit: 5 Stars
This compilation CD from one of the greatest artists to ever record is, without a doubt, one of the best CD's released this year. What's not to love?. First of all, every song on here is great, that's a given, but better than that is the fact that they all sound incredible. The sound here is about as pitch perfect as you can get. These songs, or Elvis himself, has ever sounded this good. The songs here sound so fresh and crisp, they almost could of been here recently. The real great surprise here is the JXL remix of "A Little Less Conversation". The song was originally released in the late 60's and flopped big time, peaking at only #69 in the U.S. The new remix here is such a shocking delight. It's fantastic. It is easily one of the best songs on the radio this year, if not THE best. It was a huge #1 hit in the U.K. but, sadly, didn't make a splash here on the U.S. charts. It should of. This CD pretty much confirms what we already knew. Elvis is the king. He was an impeccable singer who knew how to cut a song. He knew how to perform and to make music. Real music. If there is anybody who still remains to this very day complaining otherwise, you are a misinformed minority. This CD only confirms that. The songs here are perfect. The first eight tracks are just a breeze of perfect hits. The great up tempo rockers like "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel", "All Shook Up", "Jailhouse Rock", "(Let Me Be Your)Teddy Bear", and "Too Much" are there, as well as the ballad "Love Me Tender". The remainder of the CD ranges from great rock to beautiful balladry. My personal favorite is "Burning Love". I mean, come on, how perfect is that song?. However, the title of this CD is misleading. 30 #1 hits?. I wonder where they came up with that?. A number of songs on here weren't #1. "One Night" went to #4, "(Now And Then There's)A Fool Such As I" went to #2, "(Marie's The Name)His Latest Flame" only peaked at #26, "She's Not You" at #5, "Return To Sender" went to #2, "(You're The)Devil In Disguise" peaked at #3, "Crying In The Chapel" went to #3, "In The Ghetto" also went to #3, "The Wonder Of You" made it to #9, My favorite "Burning Love" went to #2, and "Way Down" peaked at #18. So, it's a bit of false advertising, but who cares?. The songs are all great. If the makers of this CD bent the rules like that, then they should of gone all the way and put other great songs like "Little Sister", "Viva Las Vegas", "Kentucky Rain", and "Rock-A-Hula Baby" on here. That would of made a perfect CD even more perfect. I'm really not complaining. This is the kind of CD to be cherished. To throw into the CD player on a pretty regular basis. Elvis is the king. No one will ever take that crown away.