Elvis Aron Presley [Box set, Original recording remastered]

This multi-platinum selling set has delighted fans for years, and rightfully so, even though many wonderfull box sets have been released over the years, this still stands as one of the best.

CD 1 is Elvis first engagement in Las Vegas in 1956, and although in top form, he bombed, never returning till 1969 and his much heralded comeback. What we have here, though, can be appreciated more now, and in excellnt sound as Elvis drives through his current hits, plus some Little Richard rockers and funny banter between songs.

Also on disc 1 we are treated to a wonderful interview/monologue that reveals Elvis then thoughts on life, love, acting and music; very very interesting indeed.

A real rarity is the Hawaiian benefit concert from 1961, a year that saw his first concerts since 1957, and his last till 1969. The sound is sadly quite poor here, but the performance is stunning. Elvis sang great, used a very wide set, including a great version of Reconsider baby plus a very rare Swing Down Sweet Chariot.

On disc 2 we have some outtakes of some bad and some good songs from a selection of his movies. The likes of Dog's Life and Datin' are terrible songs, and Elvis obviously knows as he cannot sing for laughing at the words.......this is excellent and will have you laughing and smiling. We also have some excellent songs here from some of his very best films; outtakes from Follow that Dream, Flaming Star and Wild in the Country. Finally on disc 2, songs from his 3 great TV specials from 1968, 73 and 77; although the full shows can be found on their own specific CDs.

Disc 3 is more live performances, this time from Las Vegas in 1970 & 72 with awesome versions of Polk Salad Annie, My Babe, In the Ghetto
and an excellent medley of Little Sister with the Beatle's Get Back.

More to come though, with "Lost Singles" especially the astonishing, yet unknown I'm Leavin'; this is one of the very best songs he ever cut, and why it was not a platinum #1 hit single is beyond me. Unchained Melody is here also, and this is very very rare, as this performance from his 1977 TV special is not on the CD of the show. This is a breathtaking performance, towering and powerful yet totally mesmorising as Elvis accompanies himself on piano. This is not a bit like the Righteous Brothers or Pop Idol Gareth Gares version. It's much slower and bigger as each word is emphasised before bellowing out the dramatic finale'.

Also here we have a real treat, Elvis at the piano, with an outstanding performance of It's Still Here plus a very touching I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen; not one of my favourite songs, but this is sheer poetry.

The final disc highlights Elvis live in 1975, and this is great as really, no other performer before or since could perform live like the man himself.

See See Rider rips open, before a cracking version of I Got a Woman plus a rocking Burning Love, his "new" single T.R.O.U.B.L.E another excellent rocker. Disc 4 is entirely filled with concert material from this time, and it's all great, again listen to the funny banter between songs and teasing of audience members between stunning performances.

This is one amazing box set, no wonder it has been such a huge seller. This is complemented well with the likes of the Platinum; A Life in Music box and the new Las Vegas Live set.