All Shook Up (Elv1s: 30 #1 Hits - Elvis Presley)

Member Name: drakesdrum

Product:	Elv1s: 30 #1 Hits - Elvis Presley
Date:	28/07/09 (94 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A collection of great tracks, catchy, rock 'n roll with the unmistakable Elvis

Disadvantages: A few more forgettable tracks

Elvis Presley is arguably the most influential music artist of all time. His career was varied and he won adoration wherever he went. His unmistakable voice coupled with his great stage presence made him a fantastic live act which girls and boys, men and women alike flocked to see. Elvis has a vast discography with a huge array of songs. The standard Elvis upheld through the vast majority of his career is stunning, he had good song after good song year after year. As a result, the legacy of Elvis lives on as strong as ever today. Endless compilation albums and other merchandise is produced, released and sold on a regular basis.

This particular album is a collection which includes all 31 Elvis singles that have been number one in either the US or the UK. The tracklisting is a rough chronological order and thus we start with 'Heartbreak Hotel'.

Heartbreak Hotel

The production of this track is now showing a lot of age. The equipment available at the time means it sounds very rough, despite the digital remastering work done on it. However, this shouldn't been seen as a bad thing. I like the roughness of it, in fact the poor production adds to the atmosphere of the heartbreak he sings of. Excellent track, easy to see how it reached number one.

Don't Be Cruel

This track features a heavy bassline right from the start. A short, chirpy track two minutes in length, it has a great vocal melody which is typical of Elvis. The backing vocals add depth to the track and the music fits the mood extremely well.

Hound Dog

One of Elvis's 'rocking' tracks. His vocals are full of energy and they display a great side of Elvis's vocals which were exapansive, unique and versatile. Easy to sing along to, this track would feature very well in nightclubs due to is fast tempo and 'rocking' nature.

Love Me Tender

Complete contrast to the previous track, Love Me Tender is a slow song full of emotion and is one of the most famous tracks on the album. Elvis's vocals feature very prominently on this track, in fact the guitar sounds very quiet in comparison. It works very well though because the vocal melody is very poignant and he sings with great feeling in his voice. Lovely track.

Too Much

A punchy track with a great melody. I love the music in this track, the drums in particular work very well in this track. The vocal melody is just superb and no many other artists other than Elvis would be able to pull this off in the way Elvis does. Backing vocals again feature on this track again they work excellently well to add atmosphere to the track. I particularly like the guitar solo work half way through the track, it sounds great. Definitely one a track worthy of more attention nowadays.

All Shook Up

A great, upbeat track which is easy to dance along to. This track displays a lot of Elvis's vocal style. It has quite a simple music arrangement and it works very well with the track. It's Elvis that really makes this track though, his vocals full of style, just so 'Elvis'.

(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear

Musically this track is probably one of the weakest on the album. Elvis tries to give it life with his vocals and he does so to a certain degree but not enough to make it a classic. It's worth a listen but one of his weakest number one singles for me.

Jailhouse Rock

A fast tempoed track which has received a lot of attention and rightfully so. Often used to symbolize Elvis's rock 'n roll years it's certainly worthy of this. The music as a swagger about it with a great bass and guitar work. The bass in particular is just excellent. Elvis is on top form in this track, his vocals urgent, natural and he never misses a note. Brilliant track you can dance and sing along to.

Don't

A fantastic track full of emotion. Elvis uses his versatile vocals in great ways in this track, going from almost a whisper to a loud emphasis in the chorus parts. It makes for an excellent vocal performance. The music is slow and simple and in truth it isn't the most interesting. The piano however is a welcome addition.

Hard Headed Woman

Sounds like a mix of Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog. A prominent bouncy bassline brings the track to life. Elvis is once again excellent singing with energy and passion. The backing vocals add depth to the track. The guitar work is excellent and also featuring are many horns which work very well.

One Night

I really like this track. Elvis sings with hope and despair, coupled with a blues sounding musical arrangement, it makes for an excellent track. In some ways I'm surprised it reached number one, it's not a particularly catchy track but I think that is a reflection of how popular Elvis really was.

(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such As I

One of my favourite tracks. The vocals are simply mesmerising, Elvis really shines in this track. Packed with feeling and emotion, it shows off Elvis's vocal range to great success. The music is brilliant, the drums in particular set the tone of the track and there is a great instrumental part where backing vocals also carry on. Super track.

A Big Hunk O' Love

Elvis in his rock 'n roll mode, the bass again is very good. Elvis sings with passion and energy making for a fantastic track that has a great swagger. It sounds almost as if the band just turned up and played what came into mind to make a wonderful concoction of improvised rock 'n roll.

Stuck On You

A chirpy track with a simple message. Elvis fits the music perfectly with his vocals it makes for a great track. Another track that doesn't get as much attention as it should do nowadays. Good track.

It's Now Or Never

This track really displays how powerful Elvis' voice really was during the chorus. The music has an almost latino feel to it and has a chirpy piana line in the background making a great track. A passionate and wonderful track that comes to life through the vocals from Elvis and the backing vocals. One of the most famous tracks.

Are You Lonesome Tonight

Another extremely famous track and it's easy to see why. Elvis sings with great emotion set against a soft and delicate guitar and backing vocals. Elvis again shows how powerful his voice is in this track. Most of the track he almost whispers and set against where he branches out with powerful vocal projections shows his versatility again. The spoken part of the track works very well indeed where he talks to his lost love.

Wooden Heart

A peculiar track with a folk music feel to it. It plods along merrily whilst Elvis sings about his heart breaking in two. A superb track, his vocals also resemble a folk song too which is inkeeping with the orginal version of this track which was indeed a folk song. Indeed, some German vocals still remain too which are intriguing.

Surrender

A fantastic track both musically and vocally. The music sounds almost like a Bond film at the start and the music continues after this as a similar pace. It is a wonderfully arranged track with the guitar and drum work very good. This is one of the best performances by Elvis vocally for me, they stretch over numerous pitches and tones. Great track.

(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame

This is one of favourite tracks of all time. The drums sound frantic and the guitar makes it sound almost like a fairground ride. The track changes pace for the chorus which works very well. Elvis sings a strong vocal melody which makes for a very catchy song. Lyrically excellent this is one of the best tracks on the album.

Can't Help Falling In Love

One of the most famous tracks on the album and it's easy to see why. A very likable track full of emotion. The melody is quite simple and the music simple too. I do particularly like the guitar chirps half way through. Just a love song with great feeling.

Good Luck Charm

Featuring trademark vocal hiccups from Elvis the music swoons away. A good track, quite catchy owing to the aforementioned hiccups. The vocal melody in general is excellent complete with a well arranged musical piece.

She's Not You

Not one of his most famous number ones and to be honest I can see why. Probably one of the weaker tracks on the album, the music bounces a little but the overall track is a bit plain. Elvis adds a layer with his vocals but it rambles on a little. Not his best.

Return to Sender

To me this sounds almost like a motown track vocally and lyrically. Elvis makes it his own though particularly in the chorus where he sings with great energy. It's quite a good track worthy of listening but not one of his best. Decent track nothing more.

You're The Devil In Disguise

A good track which starts of slow and then really picks up at the chorus. The guitar is jangly as is the bass. The tempo changes make for a great track with Elvis's vocals in great form once more.

Crying In the Chapel

Personally I'm surprised at how this reached number one. A slow track and not very catchy but what it does has is great emotion and feeling. The music is simple with a piano and backing vocals.

In The Ghetto

Excellent track and a welcome change from the usual topic of the lyrics (love). An interesting track vocally and lyrically, Elvis sings from the heart and it makes for a fantastic track. The strings in the music work very well to add depth and atmosphere to the track. The guitar is also great in this track, often changing the riff to change it up a bit.

Suspicious Minds

A karaoke favourite for many, this track is indeed very good to sing along to. The vocals build up and up to the fantastic chorus. The chorus has great backing vocals that really lift Elvis to another level. The music is fantastically put together and I particularly love the strings and horns that are sporadically placed throughout. A great track and a track that will appeal to many.

The Wonder Of You

Another track featuring some great strings work. The drums are prominent in this track and they work very well. Elvis sings with great passion and depth making for a good track.

Burning Love

This is a bouncy and chirpy track, very upbeat and easy to dance along to. It's a great sounding track. Elvis puts in a great vocal performance as the vocal melody is a very catchy and works so well. A good song for karaoke like the previous 'Suspicious Minds' this track is one of the best on the album.

Way Down

An intriguing sounding track, it sounds quite quirky. The music sounds ahead of its time, almost like a heavy metal guitar riff. A great sounding track with piano, guitar, drums, bas and backing vocals working in perfect harmony. Elvis is excellent once again in this track.

A Little Less Conversation (JXL remix)

This track is one of the biggest hits ever. Remixed for Nike adverts at the time this track spent weeks in the charts. Usually I'm not a fan of remixes or covers but this time I think it works really well. This is because they haven't touched Elvis's vocals from the original, they are exactly the same. The music is perked up to make a great pop track. I am really impressed with the work put into updating this track. A very catchy track, it's very easy to dance along to and I love it. In this day and age with all the technology available for correcting vocal errors it's testament to Elvis that nothing was needed to be done with hsi voice.

Overall this album is a good place for new Elvis fans to start. At only £4.98 on amazon it is well worth a purchase even if you are only slightly interested in Elvis. It will also appeal to Elvis fans too who will like his big hits on one CD.

Summary: A great compilation, a great place for new Elvis fans to start.