Elvis Presley
Elvis 75: Good Rockin’ Tonight
RCA/Legacy
By David Chiu
There have been so many Elvis Presley compilations and packages over the years, so at first, this new 4-CD set may beg you to ask ‘What makes this one so special?’ Well, Elvis 75: Good Rockin’ Tonight arrives on the eve of what would have been the King of Rock and Roll’s 75th birthday this Friday. For the casual Elvis fan who not only wants the hit songs but also a little more, this is the perfect introduction. Clearly the early Elvis material from the mid to late ‘50s, which can be found on Disc 1, is the main highlight and can stand alone with the songs that sparked a cultural revolution: from the very first song he ever recorded “My Happiness” for his mom, through “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Jailhouse Rock.” Even as the King made the transition from rock and roller to pop singer/movie star throughout the ‘60s, Discs 2 and 3 ignite some sparks with “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” “It’s Now Or Never” and “Viva Las Vegas.” And just as his career might have faded away, the King made a comeback with his ’68 special and started another wave of interest that continued up until his death in 1977 (“Suspicious Minds,” “Always on My Mind,” “Burning Love”). The set concludes with the dance remix version of “A Little Less Conversation” from 2002, which merely confirms Elvis‘s enduring popularity. Elvis 75 encompasses what made the King the greatest.
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