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Our Memories Of Elvis, Volume 1 & 2

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, June 19, 2010 | Music

Last week Victrola released 2 RCA albums on CD. A Dutch fanclub already released it on CD in the 1980s. Is this a worthy re-re-release?

Design

I can’t deny the front is way better than the original LP with those two old guys standing before Graceland. I prefer Elvis anytime.. The fold out cover shows the original sleeves and a promo sampler for volume 2. Next to that there’s a short piece on Joan Deary, the producer of the originals. All together there’s well taken care of the design.

Content

Some people say this is way better and more pure than the originally released versions, some people say this is altered too. I guess both are right. I used to like the 2nd volume much better than the first because of the up-tempo songs. Some of them sound indeed better in my ears because of the lack of overdubs.

That counted for the original albums already. In the 1980s I bought the Dutch fanclub edition and of course that was a treat since I didn’t have to stand up every 15 minutes or so. Still I continued to do so every now and then, since I am one of those people that prefer the sound of vinyl above that of CDs. Anyway after a while the choice wasn’t mine anymore since the CD suffered from CD-rot and was hardly playable.

This CD sounds very warm and after comparing it to the original vinyl I have to conclude that there is hardly any difference between them. Some of the songs sound as if Elvis is singing it on my couch, sitting right next to me.

I understand why Victrola choose to keep the original order of songs, but I would have enjoyed the CD more when it was reshuffled a bit. The balance between the first half (only ballads) and second half (mostly up-tempo) could have been better.

Conclusion

For those missing the original albums and CD, this might be a great addition to the collection. It is good to hear Elvis’ music as pure as on this album. Of course the outtakes and undubbed masters on the FTD classic album series come close, so an alternative may be to create your own compilation. Still I am glad I have this one, it will certainly get more than one spin in the future.

Tracklisting

OUR MEMORIES OF ELVIS

1. Are You Sincere (2:06)
2. It's Midnight (3:26)
3. My Boy (3:00)
4. Girl Of Mine (3:45)
5. Take Good Care Of Her (2:58)
6. I'll Never Fall In Love Again (3:47)
7. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (2:55)
8. Spanish Eyes (2:29)
9. Never Again (2:56)
10. She Thinks I Still Care (3.56)
11. Solitaire (4:45)

OUR MEMORIES OF ELVIS - VOL 2

12. I Got A Feelin' In My Body (3:41)
13. Green Green Grass Of Home (3:41)
14. For The Heart (3:35)
15. She Wears My Ring (3:29)
16. I Can Help (4:08)
17. Way Down (2:41)
18. There's A Honky Tonk Angel (3:11)
19. Find Out What's Happening (2:46)
20. Thinking About You (3:32)
21. Don't Think Twice It's All Right (8:41)
22. It’s Easy For You (3:30)

 

drjohncarpenter0117 wrote on June 19, 2010
Again Victrola have come up with the goods,lovely digi-pack and the almost vinyl looking disc is also a nice touch, this second release from this 'new label' has shown they are indeed a label to watch for future projects. As for the contents for some will be a great addition to there collection for others it will be a possible upgrade to what they have already, really like the sound and having both volumes on one disc does make it a nice change to put it on and have all tracks at you fingertips........go on get a copy,give it a spin,you may be surprised......look forward to there futre projects as more are in the pipe-line.
Ciscoking wrote on June 19, 2010
I, too think..these albums are recommendable..although I was a bit sceptical first..I think they are just NICE..since the originals are soo hard to get....fine idea..
JerryNodak wrote on June 19, 2010
Perhaps one day FTD will get around to these. Then I'll consider buying them.
marco31768 wrote on June 19, 2010
What is the difference among this release and the other bootlegs released in 2008 without label name ? Maybe Victrola's sound is better than prevoisly CD's ?
Ciscoking wrote on June 20, 2010
The difference is the quality...no name labels mostly release bad sound audience recordings taken directly from a fans cdr for making a quick buck.
burton wrote on June 20, 2010
I only have the original L.P.'s Where can I get these C.D.'s in the U.K.?
benny scott wrote on June 20, 2010
Burton : I'm afraid finding this in the UK is doubtful. This CD is an "import" (aka bootleg) . Checking out if there excists a dealer in the UK for this ( and other "imports" )won't be easy. Always El.
benny scott wrote on June 20, 2010
re-Burton : check ebay ! There are a couple for sale, one supplier is from the UK ! Always El.
You Dont Know Me wrote on June 20, 2010
Great another CD i simply DO NOT HAVE to buy and can save my money for the next FTD release!~
Steve Morse wrote on June 21, 2010
This is an excellent release. The original choices I found strange (some of them) as they were not tracks I thought had excessive overdubs. Then some, like I Got A Feelin' In My Body, don't sound that much different from the original master! I have the original vinyl albums, but not easily accessible, and it's great to have this CD. I have never been over-fond of the long version of "Don't Think Twice", but on listening to it on this CD (8.41) it sounds fresh and alive. I have not yet tried to contrast it with the official complete (9.16) version on Elvis Now FTD.
Elvis_The_King wrote on July 02, 2010
this release is a waste of time and money.....maybe fans who doesnt have the old fan club edition or even better,the paper sleeve editions from japan with most of these tracks in better quality than presented here. "its easy for you" = fake unreleased version
Greg Nolan wrote on July 14, 2010
I wasn't going to spring for it as I'm pretty happy with the two LPs from '79 (I enjoyed both at the time) but some of the praise this got wore me down and so I gave in. It's not bad at all and nice set for completists. Like "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" (which I haven't picked up yet, save for the old LP), it's strictly for completists who want to re-visit "side-chapters" of his post-humous release catalog. The club set is exceedingly rare, so the notion that this set was unnecessary is silly. What Elvis CDs at this point are truly essential? If you're a fan enough to log-on to this site, arguably you probably have far to many Elvis CD's to begin with. So, sure, this is just indulging one's completeness "jones" and for a Joan Deary radio experiment at that. I'm not sure what the point was in some cases but it's a different sound, sure, if imperfect. It's a pretty faithful transcription of those records, which I do (and will play on occasion). I'll have to give the closing "bonus" track a closer listen as on first read it didn't jump out to me as that different. My only minor beef is with the 2010 use of a familiar Elvis RCA (Camden) cover! If you're going to upgrade an old title (in this case 2 separate LPs in one re-issue), try to hint at the old cover or re-use one or both of them. This cover is associated with "Almost in Love" - one of the better Camdens and a favorite of mine, period. That said, it's a classy digipak with nice interior shots of the old covers, notes, etc. Somehow jewel cases these days come off clunky and dated. This is a nifty little release, not essential but fun if you're into the original or perhaps missed it or the very rare club version.
Jesse Garon Presley wrote on July 15, 2010
Elvis_The_King i totally so do not agree with you in any way, i realy getting tired op people saying ''It's Easy For You" is a fake do you have proof of that? it is most certainly not and always those papersleeves discussion they are not better i have those too and they are not better a lot of fans on forums etc do agree with that the songs on this Victrola release are better i suggest your read lex's review better this release is not in any way a waste of money or whatever when hearing this release the sound is incredible i listen to it very often but Elvis_The_King you expecting everyone to agree with your reaction that's not how it works this is a nice release period.
HowGreatEP wrote on July 21, 2010
Agree, should have been out already in 1978 ! Too bad fans like us have to wait 32 years to get it officially...But better late than never...! Now : PromLand, MBlue and EPBlvd Classic albums PLUS their outtakes on FTD later on 2010 ?
Elvis_The_King wrote on July 22, 2010
Jesse Garon Presley.....I say it again,I dont agree with you but who cares right?
Jesse Garon Presley wrote on September 20, 2010
same goes for me too towards you, you r just a Victrola label hater and you do everything in your power to put down this label,nothing more nothing less..but who cares ..right?