Elvis Presley

[jdw89]

Where to start with him? Yes I know that is a HUGE question but honestly I've only ever had some compilations in the past and I also have a few records when I had a record player before but other than that I don't have anything currently. Some people told me to go with the 50's, 60's and 70's masters sets (which contain most of his material) , but I am honestly not sure where to start myself.

[hagios]

Start out where He did:

This unique collection is a befitting tribute to Elvis Presley's 3 x Grammy Award-winning gospel and inspirational work. It features all of Elvis' gospel and inspirational masters including his multi-platinum selling original albums PEACE IN THE VALLEY, HIS HAND IN MINE, HOW GREAT THOU ART and HE TOUCHED ME as well as the gospel songs from his movies and live performances. This four disc set is remastered from the original tapes using the latest DSD technology for optimum sound quality. As with his secular music, Elvis invented his own version of gospel, drawing from every element of his vast musical knowledge - without any musical prejudice or racial barriers. I BELIEVE - THE GOSPEL MASTERS offers the most comprehensive overview of Elvis' non-secular performances and provides testament to Elvis's musical excellence and his contribution to the popularization of religious music.

source

Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.

Elvis’ musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager.

In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.

He starred in 33 successful films, made history with his television appearances and specials, and knew great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards. Among his many awards and accolades were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award which he received at age 36, and his being named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees. Without any of the special privileges, his celebrity status might have afforded him, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army.

His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977

source

[Villiam Hayes]

I recommend this DVD https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Elvis-Th...-Is-DVD/27011/

[jak]

The boxset Elvis at 75 is a good one. Should be fairly cheap on Amazon.

[TJS_Blu]

Two recommendations, The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50s Masters gives you most of the Sun Sessions and the 56 albums along with some gospel and a few live tracks. Young Man with the Big Beat: The Complete '56 Elvis Presley Masters gives you some of the same remastered with more live tracks and alternate takes from one of the most incredible years any rock and roller has ever had.

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by jak

The boxset Elvis at 75 is a good one. Should be fairly cheap on Amazon.

This is my vote as well. Excellent box set that has all the essentials and one of my most played.

[Jett Rink]

I just downloaded The 50 Greatest Hits, Elvis is great!

[stvn1974]

Elvis is indeed great. I have had "If I Can Dream" on repeat before and realized two hours have passed while listening to it over and over.

[jdw89]

I think I might start off with the 'Legacy' reissues of his work.

[jak]

I think a good live recording would compliment the box sets that have been mentioned. One in particular is An Afternoon In The Garden. It's a recording of one of his MSG shows in 72. It's a really nice release. Should be dirt cheap.

[Angel Eyes]

I have been a hardcore Elvis fan since 1973 when I first saw him in his televised concert Aloha From Hawaii. I was only 8 years old but I was hooked.

If you want to start with CD's then The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50s Masters box set is the way to go. If you are going LP there is no better LP than Elvis 24 Karat Hits (45 RPM). It is without a doubt one of the best mastered LP's ever made. Elvis had few great studio albums as he was at the height of his success during the era when the 45 ruled. I own all his US Released albums from Elvis Presley to Moody Blue. The single albums out of his catalogue (1956-1977) I can most recommend are:

Elvis Presley (1956)
Elvis (1956)
Elvis Christmas Album (1957)
Elvis Golden Records (1958)
Elvis Golden Records Vol. II 50,000,000 Fans Cant be wrong. (1959)
Elvis is Back 1960 *(I think his best studio Album)
Elvis Golden Records Vol. 3 (1963)
How Great Thou Art (1967)
Elvis Gold Records Vol. 4 (Mainly for the single "(You're the) Devil in Disguise")
Elvis Presley (NBC Special) 1968
From Elvis in Memphis (1969) * I feel this is his second best album
Elvis Back in Memphis (1969)
Elvis That's the Way It Is (1970)
Elvis Country (1971)
Elvis Recorded Live Onstage in Memphis 1974 ( The best of all his live albums, so much better than Aloha or Madison Square Garden)
The Sun Sessions (1976)

Just remember there are not a lot of great albums per say by him. During his reign of 1956-1963 it was a 45 driven market and that did not start changing to Albums until Dylan and Beatles. Sadly by that time Elvis was doing his three pictures a year and only terrible film soundtracks (with only an occasional good song off those). Getting his Golden Records albums will give you all of his hit singles from the 50's and 60's.


or if you want to cover pretty much everything just get these 4 CD box sets: I own all these as well and they were played a lot over the years until I got back into spinning vinyl again.

The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50s Masters
From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters
Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II
Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters

[jak]

I got hooked when I was 7 years old back in 1972. I was lucky enough to see him perform live in 74. I still got my ticket stub. Elvis made some truly great music. He had enormous talent and was a true vocalist. I've yet to hear anybody come close. Get any of the releases mentioned and you will hear some classic stuff.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by jak

I got hooked when I was 7 years old back in 1972. I was lucky enough to see him perform live in 74. I still got my ticket stub. Elvis made some truly great music. He had enormous talent and was a true vocalist. I've yet to hear anybody come close. Get any of the releases mentioned and you will hear some classic stuff.

I agree totally. There has never been a solo artist like him in popular music. The closest solo artist that has come to his greatness was Michael Jackson. While not as talented instrumentally or as a writer like (The Beatles, Dylan and others) none of them could match his charisma, vocals or on stage command. To me he will always be the King of Rock N Roll.

[SangeetaSharma]

He is magical. I love his songs. Thanks for sharing.

[jak]

Originally Posted by Angel Eyes

I agree totally. There has never been a solo artist like him in popular music. The closest solo artist that has come to his greatness was Michael Jackson. While not as talented instrumentally or as a writer like (The Beatles, Dylan and others) none of them could match his charisma, vocals or on stage command. To me he will always be the King of Rock N Roll.

You nailed it right on the head. The fact he wasnt an outstanding muscian or writer makes his achievements all the more amazing. Elvis had a special quality that drew people to him. I know it's cliche, but when he died the world truly lost something very special.

[jdw89]

I've been learning more and more about him and while I believe his voice is unmatched in music I do find it kind of sad that he never actually wrote any of the material, not just that but also that he did "contractual" music. I guess I just like bands/artists that make music to make music, granted I understand one would want to make a living out of it, but most if not all of the stuff he did was just because he was 'obligated' to do so which sucks IMO.

[jdw89]

But even still something keeps drawing me to him and I have no idea why.

[quirkmanly]

Originally Posted by jdw89

but most if not all of the stuff he did was just because he was 'obligated' to do so which sucks IMO.

The bolded part of this is statement is totally incorrect and unfair. It's acknowledged that the movie years and their associated output really didn't do him justice as an artist, but you just need to listen to the amount of alternate versions of tracks to realize he wasn't just phoning these songs in.

If you never owned a single set other than the 50s Masters, I think you would be more than satisfied, but, as others have said, there are some tremendous collections of his work out there.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by jdw89

I've been learning more and more about him and while I believe his voice is unmatched in music I do find it kind of sad that he never actually wrote any of the material, not just that but also that he did "contractual" music. I guess I just like bands/artists that make music to make music, granted I understand one would want to make a living out of it, but most if not all of the stuff he did was just because he was 'obligated' to do so which sucks IMO.

Lots of artists in the 1950's did contractual music. Song writers would climb over each other to have Elvis record their songs back in the 50's and 60's. It made everyone money. Elvis performed because he loved performing and was the best at it. How is that any different than someone writing music because they love doing it. Is singing or performing on stage any different than writing or playing an instrument? Is Elton John any less because Bernine Taupin wrote all the lyrics to his hits? With Elvis it was his voice and then his look that made his great. Every great front man in Rock n Roll was mesmerized by Elvis (Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Roger Daltrey, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Buddy Holly and Keith Richard have all said they were influenced by Elvis). To my knowledge he is the only performer in the Rock n Roll, Country and Gospel Hall of fames.

[RScottyL]

You can also go with this:




http://www.myplaydirect.com/complete...etails/5729310

This is the definitive collection: all 711 master recordings as released during Elvis’ lifetime, mastered from the original analog master tapes where available. Each recording has been carefully restored to achieve the best sound reproduction ever without compromising the audio quality of the original master.

The collection also contains 103 additional rare recordings and a 240-page hardbound book featuring an annotated discography, original album artwork, rare and classic photos, a complete song index and an essay by Peter Guralnick. Housed in a beautiful, display case, THE COMPLETE ELVIS PRESLEY MASTERS is an indispensable piece of music history and the one collection no true connoisseur should be without.

This unique deluxe package is manufactured in the U.S.A.