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A collection of my Elvis and Elvis-adjacent writings outside The Mystery Train.

Music of the Year for 2016 [Pastimescapes blog]

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It is the end of the year, which means I like to crunch the numbers around my digital music collection and listening habits.

According to iTunes, out of 10,217 unique tracks in my collection, the one I played most often in 2016 was “Rey’s Theme,” composed by John Williams for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). I played this beautiful piece 21 times this year.

When it comes to music, 2016 was apparently the year of Star Wars for me. Out of my 40 most played tracks, a whopping 38 of them are by John Williams for various Star Wars films. For instance, I played “Princess Leia’s Theme” from Star Wars (1977) 14 times throughout the year.

I love Star Wars music, but even I was shocked at how it dominated considering the diverse amount of music to which I think I listen.

Cover of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS soundtrack

Cover of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS soundtrack

Elvis Presley was the only other individual to crack my top 40. “Burning Love” (1972) came in at #4 overall with 17 plays. “How The Web Was Woven” (1970) finished in a 4-way tie for #37 with 11 plays.

I listened to 6,083 Elvis songs using iTunes or my iPods in 2016 (including additional plays of the same song, such as “Promised Land” [1973] 10 times).

On average, that is nearly 17 Elvis songs a day. I listened to 2,231 different Elvis tracks during the year, out of 4,050 unique Elvis recordings in my collection.

I currently have 6,167 non-Elvis tracks in my collection. With 5,815 total plays, I listened to about 16 non-Elvis songs a day.

Overall, I listened to 11,898 music tracks using iTunes or my iPods this year. That works out to almost 33 recordings a day.

These counts exclude the additional time I spent listening to records and CDs. While not as many CDs, I definitely played a ton of records this year. The funny thing is, many of them were also Star Wars and Elvis Presley. I suppose I am nothing if not consistent.

Thank you for reading my little blog. Here’s hoping you have a wonderful 2017.

Vinyl Elvis: 1982’s MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS Inspires Nostalgia for Holidays Past [Pastimescapes blog]

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MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Memories Of Christmas
Label: RCA
Catalog Number: CPL1-4395
Recorded: 1957-1971 | Nashville, Hollywood
Released: 1982
Ranked: #15 in Pastimescape’s 50 Greatest Elvis Albums of All Time

Other than listening to the radio, Christmas music at my family’s house as I was growing up consisted of this 1982 record album and Merry Christmas From Elvis (1987, cassette tape). Though my family also had a decades-old copy of Elvis’ Christmas Album, that record was not often played in my childhood due to being in poor condition.

Memories Of Christmas is a perfectly named album for me, because it indeed fills me with nostalgia for many special Christmases in the 1980s. My brother recently gave me the album, along with the rest of his Elvis records, and this marks the first time I have played Memories Of Christmas on vinyl in over 20 years.

Side A of MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Side A of MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Side A

  1. O Come, All Ye Faithful (1971)
    This previously unreleased version is a splice between the master (Take 1) and Take 2. It actually proves to be better than either take alone, making it my “go to” version of the song by Elvis. Fantastic performance and a perfect opener to the album. Sound quality on the record itself is excellent.
  2. Silver Bells (1971)
    Another stellar Christmas performance, first heard on Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas (1971). I love the acoustic guitar here.
  3. I’ll Be Home on Christmas Day (1971)
    Here it is, the highlight of the album–the previously unreleased re-recording of “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day.” Attempted in June 1971, this is a bluesier take on the Michael Jarrett song than the May 1971 version that became the official master on The Wonderful World Of Christmas. For my money, this is Elvis at his best.
  4. Blue Christmas (1957)
    It is apparently unlawful for RCA to release an Elvis Christmas compilation without this worn-out tune, featuring the grating background vocals of Millie Kirkham. I would have preferred the use of a live version from 1968. In fact, what would have been at the time the previously unreleased June 27 6 PM Show performance captured for the ELVIS special would have been perfect.
  5. Santa Claus Is Back in Town (1957)
    Side A finishes up in style with the greatest Elvis Christmas song of all, the down and dirty “Santa Claus Is Back In Town,” arguably the only real competition against “Reconsider Baby” (1960) as his finest blues performance.

Side B of MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Side B of MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Side B

  1. Merry Christmas Baby (1971)
    Speaking of bluesy Elvis Christmas songs, here is another fine entry. This is the previously unreleased extended version of “Merry Christmas Baby,” over two minutes longer than the album master (Wonderful World Of Christmas) and nearly five minutes longer than the single version. As a kid, I loved hearing Elvis ad-lib, “Gave me a diamond ring for Christmas; now I’m putting it through Al’s mike.” Unfortunately, there are a couple of pops/crackles on the record on this song, but nothing too distracting. Side A had no noise at all! Like the 1969 live versions of “Suspicious Minds,” “Merry Christmas Baby” just goes on forever. In both cases, a very, very good thing.
  2. If Every Day Was Like Christmas (1966)
    This is the previously unreleased “undubbed” version of the master. The piano is beautiful here, and I believe more prominent than on the CD version I have of this performance. There is a “raw” sound to this version, but it makes for a very beautiful and effective performance.
  3. Christmas Message from Elvis/Silent Night (1967/1957)
    The opening message was recorded for Season’s Greetings From Elvis, his 1967 Christmas special that aired on radio stations across the United States. My only gripe here is that the message originally flowed into “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (1957). The compilation producers decided to splice “Silent Night” on instead. I am assuming it is because they wanted to “bookend” the album with traditional religious songs. You can actually hear “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” begin during Elvis’ message before the segue into “Silent Night.” Unfortunately, this has never been corrected on subsequent releases of the message. The label has even released “Silent Night” on at least one Christmas compilation since then that did not contain the message, yet had the beginning of the song chopped off due to apparently using this version. Sloppy. I knew and recognized none of this when I first heard this album back in the 1980s. I loved hearing the message from Elvis, and I must admit, I still find it pretty cool today. Overall, this record sounds incredible, with the only extraneous noise being those two pops on “Merry Christmas Baby.”

Back cover of MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Back cover of MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Elvis recorded less than 25 Christmas songs during his entire career. Every year, though, it seems there is a “new” Elvis Christmas compilation that rearranges those songs with a new, cheap cover. Memories Of Christmas offers not only beautifully conceived cover art, but unique album content that is truly worthy of standing alongside the two Christmas albums that Elvis released in his lifetime, Elvis’ Christmas Album (1957) and Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas.

Calendar insert from MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Calendar insert from MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS (RCA, 1982) [Photo by the author]

Christmas has been called “the most wonderful time of the year.” While I would agree, it is also the busiest time of the year. This is probably the last post I’ll be able to squeeze in until after the big day.

With that in mind, I’d like to wish you and your family a Christmas full of joy and peace.

Thank you to my brother for giving me the Elvis records that inspired this series of posts.

Vinyl Elvis: SUSPICIOUS MINDS (1982) [Pastimescapes blog]

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For some modern fans, enjoying the music of Elvis Presley is a family experience. This has certainly been the case with me. Mom became a fan in 1956. She later passed her “Elvis gene” on to both my older brother and me. Some of my best memories involve listening to Elvis music with my family. By the time I was in middle school, my brother allowed me to borrow his Elvis records. I would take albums one at a time from his bedroom and carefully play them.

I heard so many Elvis songs for the first time via my brother’s albums. As much as I enjoy listening to CDs and iTunes, there is nothing quite like hearing Elvis on vinyl. These days, my brother no longer has a turntable. Since he felt they would be in good hands, he gave me all of his Elvis albums. His touching generosity more than doubled my Elvis record collection. It has also inspired this series of posts that will examine a variety of Elvis records – starting today with one I received from my brother.

SUSPICIOUS MINDS (Camden, 1982; from TY’s collection)

Suspicious Minds
Label: Camden
Catalog Number: CDS 1206 (Label) / CDSV 1206 (Outer Sleeve)
Recorded: 1956-1969 | Nashville, Hollywood, Memphis
Released: 1982

Since the title song is one of my brother’s favorites (mine as well), I have decided to kick off this series with Suspicious Minds, a 1982 compilation album released by the United Kingdom’s Pickwick International on the Camden label.

I remember loving the “in your face” cover of this album when I first played it around 1988.

As far as I have been able to determine, there was not a United States version of this album. This appears to be a German pressing that somehow made its way here to the US.

Side 1 of SUSPICIOUS MINDS (Camden, 1982; from TY’s collection)

Side 1

  1. Suspicious Minds (1969)
    Though a great choice to open the album, the sound is slightly “muddy.” This is the stereo version, which actually had only first been released a year earlier on Greatest Hits, Volume One. I remember noticing the horns and the double fade-out on this version way back when, as the only studio version I had probably heard to that point was on The Number One Hits and The Top Ten Hits. Rather than use the vintage mono or stereo mixes, those albums used a 1987 mix with an early fade and no horns that was created for The Memphis Record.
  2. Got A Lot O’Livin’ To Do (1957)
    This one sounds great! I cleaned up the record prior to playing it, and I have yet to hear a crackle or static on it at all. Though it was recorded in mono, I suspect this version is electronically processed to simulate stereo. If so, I am surprised to admit that I actually do not mind the effect at all.
  3. Return To Sender (1962)
    Good sound quality continues. Definitely a nice series of opening selections for this album – despite being all over the map in terms of when recorded. That is actually part of the fun of some of these older compilations, though. The only theme here is “Elvis Music,” and that is enough. There seems to be a little edit or something on the sax solo as the song fades that I am not used to hearing.
  4. A Big Hunk O’ Love (1958)
    This one sounds really loud! It also sounds like the treble is turned way up. Welcome to the 1980s, Elvis. Really loving this album, though.
  5. In The Ghetto (1969)
    The pace finally lets up, with the beautiful “In The Ghetto.” The treble still sounds high to me, oddly enough.
  6. One Night (1957)
    One of Elvis’ best songs, and it sounds incredible here. What an extraordinary first side to a record.

Side 2 of SUSPICIOUS MINDS (Camden, 1982; from Tygrrius’ collection)

Side 2

  1. Good Luck Charm (1961)
    Another hit opens this side of the record, though not nearly as perfect as “Suspicious Minds.” This also marks the first time I have heard any popping noises on this record.
  2. U.S. Male (1968)
    This is a fun song. Sound quality slightly lower here than I am used to, though. It is kind of “tinny.” This might be another instance of the treble being increased. I am pretty sure this record was the first time I had ever heard this song. I remember getting a kick out of it back then, and I still do. “You’re talkin’ to the U.S. male. The American U.S. male,” Elvis says in his best country voice.
  3. Party (1957)
    And it is back to 1957 with this rocker from Loving You. This was also “new to me” back when I first played this record. Still sounds great all these years later.
  4. Fever (1960)
    In 1988, I only knew “Fever” from the live Aloha From Hawaii version (1973). I remember not liking the studio version nearly as much, though finding the additional lyrics of interest.
  5. Old Shep (1956)
    This song about a loyal dog can be a difficult listen for dog lovers like me. It does exemplify the variety of songs included on Suspicious Minds.
  6. You’re The Devil In Disguise (1963)
    Though it gets repetitive, it is hard not to like “Devil In Disguise.” It is an odd choice to close this album, though. I was ready for another song!

Back cover of SUSPICIOUS MINDS (Camden, 1982; from TY’s collection)

While Suspicious Minds did not contain any previously unreleased material, it is an entertaining album that is well worth picking up if you ever come across it in vinyl format. Thank you to my brother for giving me the Elvis records that inspired this series of posts.

Elvis: It’s Only Live [Pastimescapes blog]

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Elvis Presley's 1972 RCA single version of "An American Trilogy." (From the author's collection.)

Elvis Presley’s 1972 RCA single version of “An American Trilogy.” (From the author’s collection.)

I thought it might be interesting to start a list of live Elvis Presley songs officially released for which no formal studio recordings are available. It turned out longer than I expected – over 50 songs so far, and that is not including any that I might have missed.

  • Hearts Of Stone
  • Tweedlee Dee
  • Little Mama
  • Maybellene
  • Flip, Flop & Fly
  • Baby, What You Want Me To Do
  • Tiger Man [according to legend, Elvis recorded a studio version at SUN but it has yet to surface]
  • Yesterday
  • Runaway
  • My Babe
  • I Can’t Stop Loving You
  • Johnny B. Goode
  • Words
  • Proud Mary
  • Let It Be Me
  • Walk A Mile In My Shoes
  • Sweet Caroline
  • Polk Salad Annie
  • See See Rider
  • Release Me
  • The Wonder Of You
  • I Just Can’t Help Believin’
  • Something
  • You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
  • When The Snow Is On The Roses
  • The Impossible Dream
  • An American Trilogy
  • Never Been To Spain
  • You Gave Me A Mountain
  • It’s Impossible
  • It’s Over
  • What Now My Love
  • I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
  • Welcome To My World
  • Steamroller Blues
  • Mama Don’t Dance
  • Softly, As I Leave You
  • Why Me, Lord
  • Let Me Be There
  • You Can Have Her
  • Turn Around And Look At Me
  • Aubrey
  • Alright, Okay, You Win
  • You’re The Reason I’m Living
  • If You Love Me
  • Little Darlin’
  • Jambalaya
  • School Days
  • America The Beautiful [“studio” version recorded in Graceland den, but only a small fragment survives]
  • O Sole Mio
  • Auld Lang Syne
  • Unchained Melody
  • You Better Run

Note that many of these songs have non-live versions available – including rehearsals that are similar to formal recordings. For example, “Never Been To Spain” appears on Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals, which was actually recorded at RCA’s Hollywood studio. However, I still consider the recording to be of an informal nature for the purposes of this list.

You've just crossed over into... the edge of reality. (With apologies to Serling.)

You’ve just crossed over into… the edge of reality. (With apologies to Serling.)

Most of the above songs actually work best for Elvis in a live context, but there are about a dozen for which I wish he had made formal studio recordings as well.

From the edge of reality, here is the track listing for an imaginary album of my picks.

Elvis: What Does It Matter

Side A

  1. Johnny B. Goode
  2. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
  3. Never Been To Spain
  4. I Just Can’t Help Believin’
  5. Walk A Mile In My Shoes
  6. When The Snow Is On The Roses

Side B

  1. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
  2. Maybellene
  3. My Babe
  4. I Can’t Stop Loving You
  5. Tiger Man
  6. Unchained Melody

How about you? From his live recordings, which do you feel Elvis should have tackled in the studio?

Thanks to reader Michel Cornec for inspiring this topic as well as performing some of the initial research.

Which “Jungle Room” Elvis CD Should You Buy? [Pastimescapes blog]

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[Side Note: Introducing the new look of Pastimescapes, which now leverages the Expound theme. Look for more tweaks in the coming days.]

Cover of WAY DOWN IN THE JUNGLE ROOM (2016, Sony)

Cover of WAY DOWN IN THE JUNGLE ROOM (2016, Sony)

Memphis. When it comes to Elvis Presley, there is something magical about the music he created in his adopted hometown.

That magic is tangible, no matter if we are talking about his early SUN sides of 1954-1955, the American Sound sessions of 1969, the Stax recordings of 1973, the Mid-South Coliseum concerts of 1974, or the Graceland sessions of 1976 – where his home’s den was converted into a makeshift recording studio.

Those Graceland sessions, which proved to be the last “studio” recordings of Elvis’ career, initially resulted in two albums: From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, and the bulk of Moody Blue.

Since then, of course, alternates and outtakes from the Graceland sessions have appeared on numerous releases. The Jungle Room Sessions, for instance, is reportedly one of the best-selling CDs ever released by the Follow That Dream (FTD) collectors label for Elvis fans. The disc is so-named for the nickname given after Elvis’ death to Graceland’s uniquely decorated den.

Earlier this month, Sony released the latest compilation of these songs, Way Down In The Jungle Room. The release contains all of the Graceland master recordings on Disc 1 and selected alternates/outtakes on Disc 2.

Due to already having all of the material from both discs, I had actually planned to skip Way Down In The Jungle Room. I then found out more information about Disc 2 by reading Bob Mehr’s Memphis Commercial Appeal article on the project.

Thanks to the article, I did not skip it, and I can now highly recommend Way Down In The Jungle Room due to the incredible sound of Disc 2’s alternate/outtake versions – newly mixed by Matt Ross-Spang at Sam Phillips Recording Service.

However, my purpose today is not so much to review Way Down In The Jungle Room, but to expand upon an answer to a question I recently received from Wellsy – a Pastimescapes reader and longtime Elvis fan. A frequent commenter, he even wrote a guest post on The Mystery Train a few years back for me.

Wellsy emailed me on vacation from Memphis about some CDs he was considering purchasing. Somewhere in the course of our ongoing exchange, he asked, “What is the difference between FTD’s The Jungle Room Sessions and Sony’s Way Down In The Jungle Room?”

Frozen In Time: Graceland's den in 2016 essentially looks the same as it did in 1977. According to legend, Elvis bought the Witco furnishings after his father commented that it was ugliest furniture he had ever seen. (Photo by Wellsy.)

Frozen In Time: Graceland’s den in 2016 essentially looks the same as it did in 1977. According to legend, Elvis bought the Witco furnishings after his father commented that it was ugliest furniture he had ever seen. (Photo by Wellsy.)

If you are interested in the Graceland sessions, the underlying question is which of the Elvis releases covering this material should you buy? In addition to Way Down In The Jungle Room, there have been quite a few, including:

  • From Elvis Presley Boulevard (RCA): Masters from the February 1976 Graceland sessions (#19 on my recent “50 Greatest Elvis Albums” list)
  • Moody Blue (RCA): Remaining masters from the February and October 1976 Graceland sessions, supplemented with live recordings from 1974 and 1977 (#7 on my list)
  • The Jungle Room Sessions (FTD): Alternates/outtakes from the 1976 Graceland sessions
  • From Elvis Presley Boulevard (FTD Classic Album Edition): Masters and alternates/outtakes from the original RCA album, including relevant portions of The Jungle Room Sessions in improved sound quality and some previously unreleased tracks
  • Moody Blue (FTD Classic Album Edition): Masters and alternates/outtakes from the original RCA album, including relevant portions of The Jungle Room Sessions in improved sound quality and some previously unreleased tracks

People who know me offline, and I am sure some online have picked up on this as well, understand that I am a very analytical person. Sometimes to the point of annoyance, but, hey, it pays the bills. Anyway, I thought it might be interesting to compare some of the releases covering the Graceland sessions in a more visual fashion.

The below chart captures the master and other complete takes for each of the songs recorded at the Graceland sessions that have been officially released to date. In an attempt to keep this to a manageable size, I left out things like rehearsals, false starts, and FTD-generated splices.

Graceland Sessions Comparison Chart

As noted in the graphic, my key information sources for the above were:

Any mistakes you might find, though, were entirely of my own making.

So, which one should you buy?

For typical, casual, new, or would-be Elvis fans, I recommend you buy Way Down In The Jungle Room. It gives you all of the master takes as well as a manageable number of alternates in great sound quality. This 2-CD set is a real value at less than US $15. Incidentally, there is also an LP vinyl version, but it does not include the masters.

For “totally insane” Elvis fans (like me), who enjoy listening to multiple alternates of the same song, I recommend you buy the FTD “Classic Album” editions of From Elvis Presley Boulevard and Moody Blue. Each of these 2-CD sets will run you around US $30, but they are more than worth it to experience the making of these albums. However, you will probably want to pick up the seemingly redundant Way Down In The Jungle Room as well at some point – simply for the sound experience on Disc 2.

No matter which you choose, settle back and enjoy some Memphis magic, courtesy of Elvis.

Thanks to Wellsy for inspiring this topic as well as giving permission to use his photo of Graceland’s den.

The 50 Greatest Elvis Presley Albums of All Time (Part 5: The Top 10) [Pastimescapes blog]

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This is the final installment of a countdown of Elvis Presley’s best albums.

To be eligible for consideration, a release had to consist of no more than two discs (CDs/records), contain at least one-third previously unreleased content (not including singles and Extended Plays), and be from an official label (no bootlegs).

Albums were judged solely on their new material and not on any of the reissued content they might have contained. Recording information noted below is also only for an album’s new content.

Though cultural impact was taken into account in various ways, that was not the lone consideration. Ultimately, personal impact — how much I love a particular album — was the most important factor.

Tomorrow marks the 39th anniversary of the death of Elvis at the age of 42. I am 41, so that 42 age seems younger and younger to me with each passing year. Though gone too soon, he accomplished much in that short time – as attested by the 50 incredible albums covered in this series of posts.

Elvis has been dead the majority of my life, yet has had a profound influence on it. His music has gotten me through some tough times … and has been there for many more good times as well.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the ten greatest Elvis albums of all time.

#10 Promised Land
Recorded: 1973 | Memphis
Released: 1975 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Promised Land”
“Aw, get on it! I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia; California on my mind. I straddled that Greyhound and rode him into Raleigh and on across Caroline.”
What Makes It Great: Recorded at Stax studios, Promised Land is, in many ways, a perfect Elvis album – a mixture of rock ‘n’ roll, country, inspirational, and adult contemporary. It is a testament to the power of the remaining albums on this list that I was not able to nudge this one farther up in the rankings.

#9 Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3
Recorded: 1960-1962 | Nashville
Released: 1963 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Are You Lonesome Tonight”
“You know, someone said that the world’s a stage, and each must play a part. Fate had me playing in love, with you as my sweetheart.”
What Makes It Great: This collection of top-selling singles makes a strong argument against those who claim that, musically, “Elvis died in the Army.” There are so many treats here, like “Little Sister” and “His Latest Flame.”

#8 Almost In Love
Recorded: 1967-1969 | Hollywood; Nashville; Memphis
Released: 1970 (Camden)
Essential Song: “Rubberneckin’”
“People say I’m wastin’ time, yeah, but I don’t really care.”
What Makes It Great: Almost In Love is a hodge-podge of songs, including some movie tunes, that manage not only to work, but combine into what is, obviously, one of his best albums ever. This was a “budget” album on RCA’s Camden label. Unfortunately, most of Elvis’ Camden releases were of far lower quality.

#7 Moody Blue
Recorded: 1976-1977 | Memphis; Ann Arbor; Kalamazoo
Released: 1977 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Pledging My Love”
“Always and forever, I’ll love only you.”
What Makes It Great: Recorded at his home and on the road in front of his fans, Moody Blue ends Elvis’ career in style. Elvis’ last album is released on July 19, 1977, less than a month before his death. In the subsequent record store rush, many folks pick up this stellar album – pressed on blue vinyl. The album includes “He’ll Have To Go,” the last song Elvis ever recorded in a “studio” setting (actually, his den at Graceland).

#6 From Elvis In Memphis
Recorded: 1969 | Memphis
Released: 1969 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Power Of My Love”
“My love will haunt you, yes, haunt you night and day.”
What Makes It Great: From Elvis In Memphis capitalizes on the success of the ELVIS special and propels him forward in a new, adult style unlike anything he has recorded before.

#5 On Stage – February, 1970
Recorded: 1969-1970 | Las Vegas
Released: 1970 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Polk Salad Annie” (February 18, 1970, Midnight Show)
“Everybody calls it polk salad. Now that’s polk… [boom]… salad… [boom-boom]. Lord, have mercy.”
What Makes It Great: Primarily recorded in February 1970, with a couple of related highlights from August 1969 thrown in for good measure, On Stage illustrates the power of Elvis as a live performer in this time period. This album pairs well with Elvis In Person (August 1969). In fact, a 2010 “Legacy Edition” of On Stage does just that.

Trivia Interlude: Of those released in his lifetime in the United States, On Stage is one of only two Elvis albums that do not include his name on the front or back cover. The other is For LP Fans Only (#17 on this countdown).

#4 How Great Thou Art – As Sung By Elvis
Recorded: 1966; 1960 | Nashville
Released: 1967 (RCA)
Essential Song: “How Great Thou Art”
“I see the stars. I hear the rolling thunder. Thy power throughout the universe displayed.”
What Makes It Great: How Great Thou Art is Elvis’ masterpiece, which earns him his first Grammy Award. Out of all of the albums on this Top Ten list, it is undoubtedly the one he cared about most. The entire album is a must-listen when it comes to understanding his music.

#3 Elvis Country – I’m 10,000 Years Old
Recorded: 1970 | Nashville
Released: 1971 (RCA)
Essential Song: “I Really Don’t Want To Know”
“Just let it, let it remain your secret. Oh, for darlin’, darlin’ I love you so. No wonder, yeah, no wonder, I wonder, ’cause I really don’t want, I don’t want to know.”
What Makes It Great: Elvis Country is an album that rather haphazardly came together in the course of Elvis’ summer 1970 “marathon” session in Nashville. This, of course, makes it more perfect than any planned album would have been. Nashville was the ideal location for Elvis to delve into a definitive country album. Remember, it’s not just country, it’s Elvis country.

#2 Elvis’ Golden Records
Recorded: 1956-1957 | Hollywood; New York; Nashville
Released: 1958 (RCA)
Essential Song: “Jailhouse Rock”
“I wanna stick around awhile and get my kicks, let’s rock!”
What Makes It Great: The first of many volumes, Elvis’ Golden Records captures the songs that took him to international superstardom in 1956 and 1957. These classic songs have been compiled dozens and dozens of times since then, but Elvis’ Golden Records was the first and the best.

#1 That’s The Way It Is
Recorded: 1970 | Nashville; Las Vegas
Released: 1970 (RCA)
Essential Song: “How The Web Was Woven”
“At last I’m where you want me, don’t you know that’s where, where I wanna be.”
What Makes It Great: I have written about this album more than any other, so I am sure it landing at the top spot was no surprise to anyone who has followed my writing over the years. The That’s The Way It Is project – RCA album and MGM documentary – represents the culmination of the “comeback” that began with the How Great Thou Art sessions and caught fire with the ELVIS special. Elvis reached perfection in this time period as an artist. I cannot choose any album but this one as his absolute best.

Shopping Tip: If you buy the 2014 “Legacy Edition” of That’s The Way It Is (the previously unreleased material of which was already covered as #41 on this countdown), you will get the original album (#1 here), the associated singles, a few outtakes, and a complete live show on 2 CDs. Definitely a huge value, if you do not already have the material.

The 50 Greatest Elvis Presley Albums of All Time (click for larger version)

The 50 Greatest Elvis Presley Albums of All Time (click for larger version)

So, there you have them, the 50 Greatest Elvis Presley Albums of All Time – at least according to one fan on one day.

No doubt, your list will vary. Were you shocked by any inclusions or omissions? Make your case in the comments below.

Finally, I want to close out by saying how much fun this series of Elvis posts has been for me. By 2014, when I ended The Mystery Train, I was burned out on writing about Elvis (not burned out on listening to his music, however).

I started Pastimescapes a year ago to continue writing about Elvis but also expand to other areas of interest. The flexibility of this “open topic” blog with the cumbersome name has been a tremendous help.

For Elvis fans, this is a special week – one that many of us use to celebrate his life, rather than dwell on his death. For me, that life was about music.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I intend to crank up that music a little louder than usual tomorrow.

Thank you for reading.

2016 marks the 60th anniversary of millions of people around the world becoming Elvis fans. I dedicate this series of posts to those first generation fans. Without you, the rest of us might never have heard of The Memphis Flash.

For Elvis VHS Lovers Only [Pastimescapes blog]

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UPDATE: The tapes have been claimed. Stay tuned, though, because you never know what other items I will free from the vault.

I am cleaning up my “Fortress of Solitude,” and it is time to part with most of my Elvis VHS collection – particularly since I have no way to play them anymore.

If any fellow Elvis fan is interested, they are yours free. However, it is all or nothing, as I do not want to ship these individually all over the place. As far as I know, they are all in playable condition – but I have not tried any of them in at least a decade.

First to want them in the comments to this post gets them. If no one claims by August 20, then I will find somewhere local to donate them. I hope you enjoy!

Elvis on VHS: ELVIS IN HOLLYWOOD, KING CREOLE, ELVIS, ONE NIGHT WITH YOU, CHARRO, THE ALTERNATE ALOHA CONCERT, and THIS IS ELVIS

Elvis on VHS: ELVIS IN HOLLYWOOD, KING CREOLE, ELVIS, ONE NIGHT WITH YOU, CHARRO, THE ALTERNATE ALOHA CONCERT, and THIS IS ELVIS