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Elvis' Golden Records Re-issue

February 09, 2009 | Music

The original album "Elvis Golden Records" will be re-issued on the Pickwick label, this re-issue is due for release February 16, 2009. 

Synopsis

This was rock & roll's first greatest-hits album, and it set the standard for all others to follow. As originally conceived, it was a 14-song collection of most of the King's biggest hits up to that time, released on the eve of his start of military service -- a dearth of material being in the offing, it seemed only logical to assemble these hits. Each of the 14 songs had earned a Gold record award for a million sales, a record unequaled at that time by anyone else in rock & roll. The album wasn't intended as a history lesson, so "Hound Dog" and "Loving You" precede "Heartbreak Hotel" -- the 1997 remastering also tampers with the concept a bit, adding six bonus tracks. Elvis' singing never sounded richer or more expressive, and one can fully appreciate in vivid detail the delicate nuances of his phrasing on songs like "Too Much." On the downside, the remastering has made the sound so clean on some of the harder songs that some of the raw, "dirty" ambience that characterized this stuff on the radio and the original 45s is lacking. Still, Scotty Moore's groundbreaking lead guitar part on "Hound Dog" and the Jordanaires' backup singing never came through more sharply or cleanly, and the all-important rhythm section is almost upfront in the mix. Those who own the first Elvis box from RCA, covering the '50s masters may hesitate to pick up this or the other parts of this latest remastered series, but the sound has been upgraded one more level, and Elvis' Golden Records does give a bite-sized glimpse of where Elvis had come from and where he was going (for better or worse) musically on the eve of heading into the Army. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide

Source:My Hound
marco31768 wrote on February 09, 2009
Oh my God! How many times ???
JerryNodak wrote on February 09, 2009
Again and again and again. Why? Because Elvis sells. Here's another way to spell Elvis. M-O-N-E-Y. That's the way it's ben spelled since "Heartbreal Hotel" in '56.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on February 10, 2009
If I remember right, the Pickwick Label, is a budget Record label, through RCA Records. It was once the RCA-Camden Label. RCA, is putting this classic Album/CD on a budget Label. Is it a good thing? I'm not sure. I would rather that, Sony-RCA-BMG- kept this album/CD, on the major RCA label, at the nice price.
RonBaker wrote on February 10, 2009
There is a version of this album released on the Hallmark label on the 16th. It is the UK version of the album with different tracks. Probably a public domain issue.
I am Buffalo-Horn! wrote on February 10, 2009
This UK Hallmark version also has a totally different cover, a side c/u from what looks like '59-60 era. (Any one out there want to date this more accurately!? It's on Amazon UK) Looks like a rather cheap job!
dgirl wrote on February 10, 2009
The Pickwick label has issued some of the cheesiest Elvis USA LPs ever back in the day with horrible covers. To put this great LP on that label saddens me a bit. It deserves better.
gbalaban wrote on February 10, 2009
This was the record I found in my parent's record collection back in 1972 when I was 8, and I was/am a fan from that day forward. I even got to watch Elvis Aloha from Hawaii in 73 and still have that original record in my collection. Great stuff that brings back memories for me.
derekd wrote on February 11, 2009
I love this album, alway did, alway will. Great collection of Elvis recordings. I have all five of the series {Golden Records}. I only wish that Sony would release a 6th volume {The final chapter}. To name a few tracks; Don't Cry Daddy, The Wonder of You, I just can't help Belivin', Rags to Riches, American Trilogy, Always on my Mind, Promised Land plus others. None of these great recordings were on any of the previous GR releases. Add on the re-mixes for good measure.
Steve V wrote on February 13, 2009
One of the true classic LPs in Rock n Roll history now joins the prestigious Pickwick label along side Mahalo From Elvis. Who knew Pickwick was still around?