 |
 |
Released by MRS on October 25, 2019 ‘FROM HOLLYWOOD TO NASHVILLE - THE ESSENTIAL 1957-58 STUDIO MASTERS’ was out just in time for my Birthday - and, as always, I love to spin some NEW Elvis VINYL as a true celebration.
AUDIO QUALITY: Once again the sound from this MRS heavy-duty vinyl is SENSATIONAL. The use of MRS’ Studio Ds remasters – lovely warm sound with some added compression – really works for vinyl. (They are taken from the Bonus Disc of the MRS 'Made In Germany' 2019 release). A beautiful quality pressing there truly is no background rumble or static and you can crank it up HIGH. There is a lovely warm bass, yet really clear top end. The 180gram vinyl sure works compared to my later RCA vinyl copies. The packaging includes a beautiful 24” x 12” full-size studio photo taken when Elvis was in the army with two cracking photos on the other pages. The cover photo is super-sharp - see below. There is a mini-mistake on the back cover where it notes "All tracks recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, except Side B tracks 6-9 at RCA Studio B, Nashville".
The Music. Overall it is a bunch of stunning fifties classics with some of my all-time favourites presented in a brand new order - as they were on the MRS book/cd release. Even Cole Porter's 'True Love' works so much better as a final track on side one rather than its rather strange positioning as the second track on Side B of the original 'Loving You' album. A neat start to side 2 of the album is the full intro to the album version of ‘Don’t Leave Me Now’ “Let’s get it this time. DJ, give me a little heavier beat, I feel like I’m draggin’”, which then ups-the-pace with Elvis' sensationally raucous 'One Night'. Interestingly without Elvis’ classic Movie singles (Jailhouse Rock etc) that so dominated this era of his in the charts, you can see that there was a period (I Beg of You / Wear My Ring Around Your Neck / Doncha' Think It's Time) where Elvis’ composers were struggling to come up with sure-fire stunners and then - at his last June 1958 session - Elvis blasts through with the amazing ‘I Need Your Love Tonight, ‘A Big Hunk O' Love’, ‘A Fool Such As I’, and ‘I Got Stung’ all in one evening. The album wraps up with two nice alternates, the Undubbed 'Wear My Ring Around Your Neck' and 'Doncha' Think It's Time' a different edit originally released on 'Elvis' Golden Records Vol.2'. Side A runs 23 minutes while Side B is a packed 25 minutes - it is certainly great value-for-money compared to RCA's original ten-song 'Elvis' Golden Records Vol.2' that was released at the time.
Overall Verdict: Another real treat for Elvis vinyl lovers and in stunning audio quality. A classic collection of fifties tracks that nicely varies from the usual 'greatest hits' type compilations. This selection made me want to crank-it-up and feel the vinyl warmth... What's a-wrong with me?, I'm itchin' like a man in a fuzzy tree.. I pity my neighbours who also had to enjoy this rockin' collection several times in a row as I celebrated my birthday. With only 1000 copies printed this will be another collectable. Note that vinyl fans will have to search their Elvis Dealers for 'Clear Vinyl' copies as MRS state that they are out-of-stock!
Please note that these images are only personal photos and so cannot show the true quality of the images. Review by Piers Beagley.
Elvis Studio Sessions '56 The Complete Recordings Elvis Live in the 50s The Complete Concert Recordings
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
|
|
