Search - Elvis Presley :: Hits Like Never Before: Essential Elvis Vol 3

A Wonderful CD

John Thor | 03/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...but only for the outmost Elvis fan, I would not recommend this CD for an Elvis beginner nor anybody else (because of all those alternate versions and false starts; I recommend the three cd-set Artist Of The Century for the those who are just about to begin to appreciate Elvis). But this essential volume is a great one - so much so, that I am going to buy the whole lot of this series (And for those who think there is no volume five in this series (Just type in "Essential Elvis" here on amazon.com), then I want to inform you that Rhythm And Country is Essential Elvis, volume five). I have mine copy right here in front of me and I have 24 songs on my cd (and I have listened to my CD from the first minute to the last, and I have 24 songs)!"

Great Series For The Elvis Fan

Johnny Heering | 02/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great, if mistitled, series. Volume 3 is subtitled 'Hits Like Never Before' which is only partially true - I only see 10 or so actual hits, out of the 24 tracks, but that's not really important. If you're more than just a casual Elvis fan, you should probably start out with the 3 big box sets covering the 50's, 50's, and 70's - which really do present the "essential" Elvis - before venturing into the 6 volume Essential series, or some of the other "alternate takes" offerings. But once you do, it's fascinating to see how the songs evolved, or in some cases did not. Some of the tracks actually differ very little from the ones finally selected for release. Another interesting aspect of these recordings is the between-take chatter between Elvis and the studio band (and the engineers/producers). He certainly seems to be, or wants to appear to be, in charge of the sessions. The booklet for Volume 3 has some interesting tidbits (e.g. Dick Clark informing Elvis that "King Creole" has been voted Best Record of 1958) and photos (Elvis strumming guitars with Faron Young)."

My brain is gettin' weaker every minute.

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 01/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This volume in the Essential Elvis series features songs recorded in 1958. Elvis wouldn't record again until 1960, when he got out of the Army. The 1958 sessions included the recording of the soundtrack for Elvis' fourth (and best) movie, King Creole, along with a handful of other songs recorded for potential release as singles. Most of this CD features alternate takes of songs from these sessions, although there are a few master takes included (a "master" take being the take that was chosen to be released on record). Of course, just about everything Elvis recorded in the '50s was great, and these songs are no exception. If you're an Elvis fan, it's interesting to hear these different versions of songs you are probably already familiar with."