Continued from page 28 went on to be covered by artists too numerous to cite over the years , Allen received little immediate recognition beyond the lone star borders . Yet as the years passed , the recording has accrued near cult-like status among cognoscenti of the native Texas musical genre and , indeed , musicians and songwriters of every persuasion . Now lovingly remastered and re-issued , the complete 21 song cycle of satirical observation , “ nudgewink ” jokes and plainsong odes to daily West Texas daily life that wasn ’ t aware it was changing even as it was being left behind are re-born for new generations to savor . Keystone to the recording ’ s success is the musical imprint levied by Allen ’ s long-time musical partner who ’ s assembled a crack band of local scene vets capable of pivoting from romantic waltz to down-home country to pedal steel swing to roadhouse boogie at the drop of a Stetson — giving further resonance to Allen ’ s oft ’ subversive , borderline sneering but always honestly tender lyrical paean to the time that was his life .
– David C . Eldredge
7
ELVIS PRESLEY The Album Collection
( RCA / Legacy ))
This whopper of a box set is the alpha and omega of your Elvis Presley collection . The sticker price tops $ 200 , but if it ’ s within your means , this sturdy collection includes a stunning 60 discs encompassing Presley ’ s studio , soundtrack and live albums . Everything he recorded for RCA is here , from 1956 ’ s Elvis Presley ( featuring Carl Perkins ’ “ Blue Suede Shoes ” and the album cover mimicked by The Clash ’ s London Calling ) to 1977 ’ s Moody Blue ( with “ She Thinks I Still Care ” and “ Way Down ,” the final single released during Presley ’ s lifetime that features J . D . Sumner ’ s impossibly deep vocal ).
The presentation is fit for the King of Rock and Roll , arriving in a picture box decorated in elegant black , white and gold . The contents are what count , however , and they prove the 1953 quote by Presley stickered to the lid : “ I don ’ t sound like nobody .” Attention to mastering detail is excellent ; every disc pulled for review sounded full , detailed and present . Soundtrack highlights include Blue Hawaii , with versions of Hawaiian favorites like “ Kuuipo ” that are favored far and wide by homespun ukulele groups , and the # 1 pop crooner “ Can ’ t Help Falling in Love .” Presley ’ s love of Gospel music is featured on 1966 ’ s grand and reverent How Great Thou Art . Live releases are topped by 1973 ’ s innovative , multi-platinum selling Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite with hot versions of “ Burning Love ,” “ Fever ” and “ Suspicious Minds ” featuring TCB Band guitarist James Burton , bassist Jerry Scheff and drummer Ronnie Tutt . Collections include Elvis ’ Gold Records – Volume 2 with its famous declaration on the often-imitated album sleeve , “ 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can ’ t Be Wrong .” Each album is packaged in reproduction album sleeves with insert , cover stickers , and vinyl labels reproduced on the CD face . With a stack like this , it ’ s a good thing the spines include numbers for chronological order . A 300 page hardcover book includes new essays , along with liner notes , session notes and relevant photos for each disc .
– Jeff Elbel
9
ROY ORBISON The Ultimate Collection
( Legacy )
It ' s been a good year to rediscover Roy Orbison . After Universal ’ s massive The MGM Years 1965-1973 box set spanning Orbison ’ s pivotal years , Legacy Recordings has done its best to preserve and promote the golden-voiced crooner ’ s own legacy . The Ultimate Collection is a 26- song overview fitting on one CD or two vinyl platters , spanning Orbison ’ s full career . It ’ s not a chronological history , but rather a greatest hits set in reverse . The showstopper “ Oh , Pretty Woman ” leads the way , followed by a pair of Jeff Lynne productions from Orbison ’ s late ' 80s renaissance including 1989 ’ s “ You Got It .” Other signature songs on the all-killer-nofiller side one include Monument Records ’ Orbison-penned singles “ Crying ,” “ Only the Lonely ” and 1963 ’ s “ In Dreams ” – songs with influence that can be heard in the early Beatles ’ repertoire . A live version of “ Claudette ” from Black & White Night features star-studded friends among a raft of guitarists with names including Springsteen and Costello . Tom Waits even joins on organ , but the engine is Elvis Presley ’ s famous rhythm section of bassist Jerry Scheff , drummer Ronnie Tutt , and guitarist James Burton . The list of highprofile admirers and sidemen goes a long way in explaining Orbison ’ s broad-based appeal and respect among musos . Orbison was included in equal standing in the Traveling Wilburys alongside a Beatle , Bob Dylan , and frontmen for the Heartbreakers and ELO for good reason . The hits keep coming , including 1962 ’ s groovy “ Dream Baby ” and 1961 ’ s melancholy but gorgeous “ Blue Bayou .” The set includes a pair of songs from Orbison ’ s role as Lefty Wilbury , with a majestic and nearly operatic climax to the heartbroken “ Not Alone Any More .” The Traveling Wilburys ’ debut hit “ Handle With Care ” plays as the curtain opens on the backward-running show .
– Jeff Elbel
8
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