This is material that, for the most part, was never intended for public consumption. Who but the most compulsive Presley collector would want to hear inferior takes of many already inferior songs from '60s films like Harum Scarum and Paradise, Hawaiian Style? Duds abound, but there are also numerous diamonds in the rough, including a rendition of "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" from 1956 that's longer and more raucous than the originally issued take, and a poignant "farm version" of "Loving You" from the following year with just guitar and harmonica accompaniment. The pricey, handsomely packaged set provides some new insight into the singer's creative process and is thoughtfully annotated by Canadian pop music historian Colin Escott. The cash register remains the bottom line, however, and BMG is betting that it will be ringing today, tomorrow, and forever.
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Cleveland Scene. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Cleveland Scene, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Email us at news@clevescene.com.
Support Local Journalism.
Join the Cleveland Scene Press Club
Local journalism is information. Information is power. And we believe everyone deserves access to accurate independent coverage of their community and state. Our readers helped us continue this coverage in 2020, and we are so grateful for the support.
Help us keep this coverage going in 2021. Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing membership pledge, your support goes to local-based reporting from our small but mighty team.
Join the Cleveland Scene Press Club for as little as $5 a month.
Latest in CD Reviews
-
Midnight Passenger Issues Long-Awaited Debut
Apr 22, 2015 -
Local Singer Ronnie Chase Shows off Vocal Range on Debut
Feb 18, 2015 -
New Blue Lunch Album Shows Off Band's Songwriting Skills
Feb 18, 2015 - More »
More by Lee Hildebrand
-
Dawn Robinson
Feb 28, 2002 - More »
