The King of Rock: The Complete 50's Masters [Box] - Presley, Elvis (CD 1992)

In 1992, RCA released a five CD box set of Elvis Presley. The CDs contained all of Elvis' surviving masters from the 1950s, plus some rarities, such as acetates and alternative takes. There's too much material for a single review, so I am writing a separate review for each CD.

The fourth CD is the weakest of the five. While it contains several great songs, it also has many lesser recordings from his fourth film, "King Creole". The post-draft session has Elvis in great spirits, but perhaps too loose. The CD is closed with a lengthy interview.

All begins well with 'Treat Me Nice'. Elvis in great form, and seems to enjoy the teasing lyrics. No one can sing as well as Elvis could.

'My Wish Came True' is a romantic ballad, with the elaborate backing vocals creating a makeshift choir. Elvis' talent at vocal arrangements is again evident. His voice was beginning to mature by this point, and had more 'bottom'.

'Don't' was another #1 pop single. It's another slow ballad, with Elvis stretching the phrasing. The backing vocals by the Jordanaires are again well constructed.

While "Jailhouse Rock" was Elvis' best soundtrack, his next movie was a step in the wrong direction. Leiber and Stoller only contributed one song this time around, 'Trouble'. Like many of the songs ('Hard Headed Woman', 'New Orleans', 'Dixieland Rock') it is half ruined by intrusive, inappropriate dixieland jazz-styled horns. A late song tempo change (also to found in 'Young Dreams') betrays the clumsiness of the arrangement.

'Hard Headed Woman' was the big hit single from the soundtrack, becoming the worst #1 pop single of Elvis' career. It's better than most of the soundtrack, despite the out of place horns and inferior backing vocals. It sort of rocks, at least, but Elvis' constant 'ha ha hoom' affectation sure sounds strange.

'Danny', like 'Young Dreams', 'Don't Ask Me Why', and 'Hard Headed Woman', has inferior, perhaps dubbed, backing vocals. These guys aren't the Jordainaires. But Elvis gets much of the blame. During the fifties, he never sang as phony as he did in these sessions.

Technically, all of the 'King Creole' songs are good. However, one expects more from a talent as prodigious as that of Elvis.

'Crawfish' is the one gem from the soundtrack, the only real indication that Elvis was perhaps the greatest singer of the rock era. With the help of a smoky, funky rhythm, Elvis sings the blues like he was born to it.

'King Creole' is also great, although not in the same league as 'Crawfish'. It rocks, has some nifty rhythm guitar playing, and the backing vocals and horn arrangements don't interfere much.

Then it was off to the Army. Like most young men of the era, Elvis was drafted, and had to put his two years in. After boot camp, he was granted leave. He recorded eight songs in an overnight session, which RCA would mine for hit singles while he was stationed overseas in Germany.

While it was far from Elvis' greatest session, the songs were all good to great. They were also a big improvement from the lame songs from 'King Creole'. Elvis' energy level and spirits are very high.

'Doncha Think It's Time' is a midtempo song with curious backing vocals, sounding almost Hawaiian. Elvis hiccups his way agreeably through a marginal composition.

'Your Cheating Heart' is a slightly disappointing interpretation of the Hank Williams classic. The tempo isn't quite right here, either, and Elvis doesn't sound convincing as a trash talker. It's catchy, though. Hank Garland has some fine guitar picking.

'Wear My Ring Around Your Neck' has Elvis loose and rocking. The backing vocals become a little annoying, but Elvis is in great form. Is this really a song about a hickey?

'I Need Your Love Tonight' would become a top ten single, as would five of the eight songs from the session. The song lacks real structure, but Garland's guitar is again imposing, and Elvis sounds confident.

'A Big Hunk O'Love' would hit #1 on the pop charts while Elvis was stuck in Germany. It must have been quite a party in the studio that night. Again, the song is too loose, but the wildness of the arrangement and Elvis' vocal is still pleasing.

'Ain't that Loving You Baby' is a cover of a Jimmy Reed R&B classic. Elvis' interpretation is pretty good, but doesn't have the soul of the original. As with the rest of the session, the arrangement is too fast. But you should hear the alternate take on the fifth CD! Definitely off to the races.

'A Fool Such As I' is more than a little silly and self-mocking. But Garland's guitar playing is his best with Elvis, and Elvis himself is up to parodying the overly dramatic lyrics. 'I Got Stung' is another entertaining rocker, again with an uncharacteristically fast tempo.

The last twelve minutes of the CD is consumed with a lengthy Elvis press conference. He is in his Army uniform, and about to be sent to Germany. Although somewhat interesting, I doubt that many people bought this box set to hear Elvis discuss his shooting medals.

Here's the breakdown by song:

97 Treat Me Nice
98 My Wish Came True
98 Don't
66 Danny
73 Hard Headed Woman
66 Trouble
66 New Orleans
97 Crawfish
67 Dixieland Rock
69 Lover Doll
66 Don't Ask Me Why
65 As Long As I Have You
83 King Creole
69 Young Dreams
70 Steadfast Loyal and True
87 Doncha Think It's Time
85 Your Cheating Heart
89 Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
90 I Need Your Love Tonight
89 A Big Hunk O' Love
88 Ain't That Loving You Baby
91 A Fool Such As I
90 I Got Stung
51 (Twelve minute Elvis Army press conference)

Overall: 78/100, or high B+