The idea of adding new backing tracks to Elvis’s music was revived for the next album release “I Was The One” Here Elvis original musicians Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, along with Jordanaires re-recorded their parts on a number of (mostly) ‘50’s rock ‘n’ roll tracks in an attempt to improve the overall sound quality on these recordings. The album was tastefully done, and well received. The eleven track US album was expanded for it’s UK release, with the live performances from Elvis’ 1950’s TV appearances that were previously issued on “This Is Elvis” added, along with the excellent alternate take 9 of “Your Cheatin’ Heart”. A track that was only previously available in the UK on an EP collection. The cover art was also changed for the UK release, and rather than the Elvis caricature that graced the US album, an excellent 1957 publicity shot was used for the UK edition. RCA UK promoted the album with a single release that coupled “Baby I Don’t Care” with “One Sided Love Affair” and “Tutti Fruitti”, and again a picture disc version was issued.
After several releases that featured no new material the
final volume in the legendary performer series, “Elvis - A Legendary Performer
Volume 4” was released in 1983.The album contained mostly previously unissued
material and amongst it’s highlights were the newly discovered Sun recording
of “When It Rains It Really Pours” complete with false start, and Elvis’
dialogue about Carl Perkins who was present in the studio at the time, the
original version of “One Night” known as “One Night Of Sin”, the
previously unreleased songs “Plantation Rock” (an out take from “Girls!
Girls! Girls!”) and “The Lady Loves Me” (a duet with Ann Margret from
“Viva Las Vegas”), and two live performances from Elvis June 10, 1972
Madison Square Garden afternoon show, “Reconsider Baby” and “I’ll
Remember You”.
Collectors were happy again, but this was short lived
when the next release in 1984 was “Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 5”. The
previous volume had been released in 1968, and it seemed strange that the series
was revived some sixteen years later. As the album only featured 10 tracks the
running time was short, and the only thing that gave the album any appeal to
collectors was the first stereo issues of “Suspicious Minds”, “Kentucky
Rain” and “If I Can Dream”. Some tracks were also re-mixed.
RCA UK issued “I Can Help” a compilation of ‘70’s tracks with a 1957 cover shot. The album’s title track was issued as a single coupled with “The Lady Loves Me” from “A Legendary Performer Volume 4”. A picture disc version of the “I Can Help” album was also released.
The next release “A Golden Celebration” contained an abundance of new material, and like the “Elvis Aron Presley” set it explored different aspects of Elvis career, but this time the emphasis was on the early years. A collectors dream in the shape of a disc of Sun out takes was included, along with all the of Elvis’ 1950’s television appearances on The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show, The Milton Berle Show, The Steve Allen Show And the Ed Sullivan Show, Elvis’ two 1956 concerts at the Mississippi Alabama Farm and Dairy Show, which whilst in poor quality were a fascinating listen, a number of home recordings, and a compilation of performances from Elvis’ two “sit down” shows recorded for the NBC TV Special at Burbank Studios in June 1968.
(CD version)
