From the Vault...

10/23/2011
#1278

info
Elvis Presley
"Great Country Songs"


© RCA/BMG Records

Year of Release: 2002
Rating:

track listing
  • I Forgot To Remember
    To Forget
  • Blue Moon Of Kentucky
  • When My Blue Moon
    Turns To Gold Again
  • Old Shep
  • Your Cheatin' Heart
  • (Now And Then There's)
    A Fool Such As I
  • Just Call Me Lonesome
  • There Goes My Everything
  • Kentucky Rain
  • From A Jack To A King
  • I'll Hold You In My Heart
  • I Really Don't
    Want To Know
  • It Keeps Right On
    A-Hurtin'
  • Green Green Grass Of Home
  • Fairytale
  • Gentle On My Mind
  • Make The World Go Away
  • You Asked Me To
  • Funny How Times
    Slip Away
  • Help Me Make It
    Through The Night
  • Susan When She Tried
  • He'll Have To Go
  • Always On My Mind
  • Guitar Man

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    Elvis Presley related sites:
    Elvis Presley Website
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    Previous Review: #1277
    Kitty Wells--The Best Of Kitty Wells: The Millennium Collection
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    Tammy Raybould--Maybe
    Elvis Presley
    "Great Country Songs"



    Great Country Songs by Elvis Presley contained his very last #1 song, which appeared on the Country chart. "Guitar Man" was this song, as it reached #1 after his death in 1977. (Two #1 Country songs before this, were in early 1977 -- "Moody Blue" and "Way Down.") The theme of this album is Elvis songs, in the style of Country & Western music.


    Elvis' Sun Sessions would contain the first 4 tracks here. Yet songs such as "I Forgot To Remember To Forget," "Blue Moon Of Kentucky," and "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again" maybe defined as "Country Music," it is more clearly defined as Rock & Roll, and even Rockabilly. "Old Shep" is more Gospel, yet there have been Country-influences in Gospel, and vice versa.


    The alternate take of one such famous country tune, "Your Cheatin' Heart" is from 1958, and anyone who takes a shot at this song will result in a Country-sounding song. I'm curious to hear the final product of another alternate take, "Just Call Me Loneseome" -- this song IS Country. The alternate take on "There Goes My Everything" proves to be another classic Country Elvis song. "From A Jack To A King" has a more Spanish flavor to it. "I'll Hold You In My Heart" is a toss between Country (more rock than Country to say), or even Blues.


    But truly one of the all-time great Elvis Country tunes, is "I Really Don't Want To Know." Having the 45 as a youngster, this song has always been a favorite of mine, and a good song to warm up the vocal chords.


    "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'" is a ittle hokey, but it is a Country sounding song. Elvis' version of "Green Green Grass Of Home" is one of the greatest (Country) songs ever recorded. Elvis' version is quite good, but Tom Jones' version is definitely the best.


    "Fairytale" has a good Country sound, yet it's hokey too, as in "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'" Where did they find this gem entitled "Gentle On My Mind" -- It is very impressive, and the bass playing is phenomenal. Elvis' voice makes the impression on the classic "Make The World Go Away.


    The next two songs we can call "Elvis Country" : "You Asked Me To" and "Funny How Times Slip Away." Even his version of the classic Country song "Help Me Make It Through The Night" is a good version. "Elvis Country" continues with "Susan When She Tried" -- This song has a very good Country sound. And another classic Country tune, "He'll Have To Go" to define in one word -- GREAT! "Always On My Mind" has always been another classic Elvis tune.


    The alternate takes and on even some of the more popular songs do sound a bit different, like "Kentucky Rain." (Great song; it does sound a bit different than the "original" version I am most familar with.)


    Whether it be for the true Elvis fan, or even someone discovering Country music and Elvis for the first time, this set of songs is a definite. Elvis shines on every song here. There will never be another Elvis Aaron Presley. You label him as either Rock & Roll, or Country, he is, and will always be THE KING.


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    Previous Review: #1277
    Kitty Wells--The Best Of Kitty Wells: The Millennium Collection
    Next Review: #1279
    Tammy Raybould--Maybe