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USA #1 Singles Box
Released: 2006/01/24 by BMG Strategic Marketing
All Elvis' 21 #1 US hits on 20 individual CD singles together in a limited edition numbered box set. Each single is individually packaged in a mini sleeve reflective of the original single artwork, each CD is pressed on black plastic with "vinyl" grooves.
The ElvisNews Review
After the UK success a copy of this concept was to be expected on the opposit side of the Atlantic.
Design
This singles box basically comes in the same design as the UK edition. There are a few differences to the first numbered edition of the UK singles box.
The CD-singles are all housed in cardboard sleeves, but do not contain an inner sleeve. Just like the unnumbered edition of the UK box this results in a slimmer collector’s box. Naturally we would have preferred a copy of the original UK release. The collector’s box also comes in the same design, but the colors of the “1” and background have changed places.
In contrary to the UK box this edition comes with a small booklet with details on the songs and a poster with all the cover. We never understood the latter, a poster folded up so many times to fit into a little CD box is not a poster we'll hang on our wall.
The liner notes by Colin Escott place the (Elvis) single in the right historical perspective.
Content
How to describe the content? A great compilation of 40 tracks by the artist we all like, only a lot more work, but also fun, to play them. This compilation shows all aspects of Elvis’ career: the rocker, the lover, the movie star, the performer and of course the King of the Charts. Contrary to the UK release these singles do not contain bonus tracks.
Conclusion
This is an o.k. copy of the U.K. campaign; a lot of effort has been made to create the original look and (vinyl) feel. But we miss some additional details (inner sleeves) and the joy of collecting the singles on a weekly basis. Wasn’t it fun to go to the shop and buy the latest Elvis single, listed high on the chart?
One advice, be aware where you buy this set outside the US. We found it for 52 Euro including shipping, using the link below, but also saw it for a staggering 95 euro and that did not include shipping.
The singles:
Heartbreak Hotel / I Was The One
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You / My Baby Left Me
Don't Be Cruel / Hound Dog
Love Me Tender / Any Way You Want Me
Too Much / Playing For Keeps
All Shook Up / That's When Your Heartaches Begin
Teddy Bear / Loving You
Jailhouse Rock / Treat Me Nice
Don't / I Beg Of You
Hard Headed Woman / Don't Ask Me Why
A Big Hunk O'Love / My Wish Came True
Stuck On You / Fame And Fortune
It's Now Or Never / A Mess Of Blues
Are You Lonesome Tonight / I Gotta Know
Surrender / Lonely Man
Good Luck Charm / Anything That's Part Of You
Return To Sender / Where Do You Come From
In The Ghetto / Any Day Now
Suspicious Minds / You'll Think Of Me
Burning Love / It's A Matter Of Time
Reactions
Another Box set from the Mummys' Tomb
My god... I will never, ever buy this. A two or three songs on a cd - and all of them on REAL cd's (eg. with 12 or more songs! More value for your money!) that I currently own. I would give this zero stars if that was an option here. And if it comes with those stupid stickers that were on the UK release (that I didn't buy either), I would give this release minus one star.
More proof that BMG is running out of ideas of new things to come out with. But hey you can now readily get "Where Do You Come From" if you don't mind laying somewhere around $50.00 for that song and all the other songs on this set are songs most Elvis' fans already have.
Why do I need this? Oh, wait. I don't!!