"Readers Digest offers fans value for money with greatest hits CD boxset"CD Review: Elvis His Greatest Hits (Readers Digest) 'Elvis! His Greatest Hits' (0350815-1/2/3/4), Readers Digest, 4CD boxset
The songs are presented in chronological order (1956-1958; 1958-1961; 1962-1969; 1969-1977 with 1954-1955 and Country Classics also included on disc 4). Rockers will not be disappointed with all of The King's big hits included: the frenetic Hound Dog, Too Much, classic Jailhouse Rock, I Got Stung, frantic King Creole, One Night and more. Fans preferring the softer touch of the ballad will enjoy many Elvis standards: the weepy Love Me Tender, powerful It's Now Or Never, Surrender, the lover's anthem Can't Help Falling In Love, the emotionally charged Don't Cry Daddy and Elvis' most socially aware recording, In The Ghetto. Apart from Elvis' other biggest hits such as Teddy Bear, Don't, Burning Love, Suspicious Minds, The Wonder Of You, Kentucky Rain and His Latest Flame, the Readers Digest organisation has also licensed a solid number of lesser known, but very effective recordings. They include the lovely Blue Hawaii, playful King Of The Whole Wide World, up-tempo Kiss Me Quick, poignant Ask Me, happy Follow That Dream and determined Playing For Keeps. The selection of six country classics are: the politically incorrect but popular There Goes My Everything, Your Cheatin' Heart, the soulful I Really Don't Want To Know, I Can't Stop Loving You and the jaunty When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again. The set is complemented by a 48 page booklet that provides informative background details for each of the 87 tracks. As an example, from the background information on Little Sister: "Little Sister" is another great rock song by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, with a brilliant guitar line supplied by Scotty Moore, who had obviously lost none of his touch. In response to the song's success, LaVern Baker cut an "answer record", addressed to Elvis, called "Hey Memphis". With BMG having deleted most of its Elvis catalogue earlier this year in advance of the Elvis 30 #1's album, the Readers Digest set is timely and plugs a gap in the market. Verdict: This value-for-money box-set will deliver hours of enjoyment! Track listing: Disc 1: ELVIS "LIVE":Remembering the '50s Medley: Also Sprach Zarathustra/That's All Right Medley: Mystery Train/Tiger Man Medley: (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel (to a Heart That's True) Medley: Long Tall Sally/Whole Lot-ta Shakin' Goin' On Little Darlin' Johnny B. Goode See See Rider Fever A Big Hunk o' Love Jailhouse Rock Love Me All Shook Up/ ELVIS "LIVE":Remembering the '60s Just Can't Help Believin' You Don't Have to Say You Love Me Little Sister You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' In the Ghetto Suspicious Minds What Now My Love Are You Lonesome Tonight? Medley: I Got a Woman/AmenMedley: O Sole Mio/It's Now or Never Unchained Melody Let It Be Me Disc 2: ELVIS "LIVE":Remembering the '70s Burning Love Steamroller Blues It's Impossible An American Trilogy Let Me Be There Bridge Over Troubled Water Kentucky Rain Don't Cry Daddy Fairytale You Gave Me a Mountain My WayThe Impossible Dream/EARLY ELVIS:Good Rockin' Tonight Tryin' to Get to You Medley: Shake, Rattle and Roll/Flip Flop and Fly Heartbreak Hotel Hound Dog Don't Be Cruel (to a Heart That's True) Rip It Up Money Honey Blue Moon One-Sided Love Affair Got a Lot o' Livin' to Do Ready Teddy Disc 3: COUNTRY FAVORITES:Release Me (and Let Me Love Again) Help Me Make It Through the Night Always on My Mind I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry I Can't Stop Loving You Green, Green Grass of Home Can't Help Falling in Love Welcome to My World And I Love You So Mary in the Morning Can't Help Falling in Love Love Letters Until It's Time for You to Go Indescribably Blue Hurt Separate Ways Indescribably Blue Fool I've Lost You For the Good Times Disc 4: THE 1968 TV SPECIAL: Blue Suede Shoes Medley: Lawdy Miss Clawdy/Baby, What You Want Me to Do Medley: Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up Love Me Tender Blue Christmas One Night/ELVIS' LATER HITS: Promised Land U.S. Male I'm Leavin' Early Mornin' Rain Moody Blue Way Down/ IN A REFLECTIVE MOOD: The Elvis Medley: Jailhouse Rock/(LetMe Be Your) Teddy Bear/Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel (to a Heart That's True)/Burning Love/Suspicious Minds Loving Arms Funny How Time Slips Away Yesterday Memories Life Reviewed by Nigel Patterson © EIN May 2002 Click to comment on this review
|
