In 1959, Elvis Presley had all but vanished from the recording studio and the film set, and new releases were thin on the ground. But with a manger as astute as Colonel Tom Parker, the small problem of completing his national service had little long term consequence on the career and popularity of a man who had, way before his draft papers turned up, already become a legend of world class distinction. Indeed the 24 months Elvis spent serving his country were turned into a marketing opportunity the likes of which had rarely been witnessed before.
What did emerge new in ‘59 were four tracks, recorded the year before while he’d been on leave, but all four of which remain bona-fide Elvis classics.
In 1960 however, the Colonel and the King wasted no time in getting back into top gear and his first post-army single was recorded and released within a fortnight of his return to the US.
What followed during the rest of this eventful year was a TV special with Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack, 3 full albums, a movie and a string of further classic hit singles making the year in question amongst his most successful.
This 2 CD set includes every recording Elvis made during this period and along with a fully illustrated booklet featuring notes by music historian Alan Clayson, provides a complete document of Elvis’s work during the final year of the decade in which he emerged, and the first of the decade in which he really did become The King.
Tracklist
DISC 1
1959
1. I Need Your Love Tonight 2.05
2. (Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I 2.31
(Released March 1959 / Recorded Rca Studio B, Nashville, June 10, 1958)
3. A Big Hunk O’ Love * 2.13
4. My Wish Came True ** 2.35
(Released June 1959 / * Recorded RCA Studio B, Nashville, June 10, 1958, ** Recorded Radio Recorders, Hollywood, September 6, 1957)
1960
5. Stuck On You 2.20
6. Fame And Fortune 2.32
(Released March 1960 / Recorded RCA Studio B, Nashville, March 21, 1960)
Elvis Is Back (LP)
7. Make Me Know It * 2.02
8. Fever *** 3.35
9. The Girl Of My Best Friend **** 2.25
10. I Will Be Home Again **** 2.36
11. Dirty Dirty Feeling **** 1.35
12. Thrill Of Your Love **** 3.02
13. Soldier Boy * 3.04
14. Such A Night **** 3.02
15. It Feels So Right ** 2.11
16. The Girl Next Door Went A Walking **** 2.15
17. Like A Baby *** 2.41
18. Reconsider Baby **** 3.41
(Released April 1960)
* Recorded Rca Studio B, Nashville, March 20, 1960
** Recorded Rca Studio B, Nashville, March 21, 1960
*** Recorded Rca Studio B, Nasnville, April 3, 1960
**** Recorded Rca Studio B, Nashville, April 4, 1960
19. It’s Now Or Never * 3.17
20. A Mess Of Blues ** 2.41
(Released July 1960 / * Recorded RCA Studio B, Nashville, April 5, 1960 ** Recorded Rca Studio B, Nashville, March 21, 1960)
Gi Blues (LP)
21. Tonight Is So Right For Love * 2.16
22. What’s She Really Like ** 2.19
23. Frankfort Special *** 2.59
24. Wooden Heart ** 2.06
25. Gi Blues * 2.39
26. Pocketful Of Rainbows *** 2.37
27. Shoppin’ Around *** 2.26
28. Big Boots (Slow Version) *** 1.32
Disc 2
Gi Blues (LP) Cont.
1. Didja Ever * 2.39
2. Blue Suede Shoes ** 2.09
3. Doin’ The Best I Can * 3.14
4. Tonight’s All Right For Love *** 1.23
(Released October 1960)
* Recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, April 27, 1960
** Recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, April 28, 1960
*** Recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 6, 1960
Gi Blues – Soundtrack Recordings
5. What’s She Really Like 0.22
6. Gi Blues 2.44
7. Doin’ The Best I Can 2.07
8. Frankfort Special 2.24
9. Shoppin’ Around 1.46
10. Tonight Is So Right For Love 2.47
11. Wooden Heart 2.07
12. Pocketful Of Rainbows 2.38
13. Big Boots 1.30
14. Didja Ever 2.37
Recorded At RCAStudios, Hollywood, April 27-28, 1960 & At
Radio Recorders, West Hollywood, May 6, 1960
15. Are You Lonesome Tonight 3.06
16. I Gotta Know 2.16
(Released November 1960 / Recorded RCA Studio B, Nashville, April 4, 1960)
His Hand In Mine (LP)
17. His Hand In Mine * 3.20
18. I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs ** 1.54
19. In My Father’s House ** 2.07
20. Milky White Way * 2.17
21. Known Only To Him ** 2.12
22. I Believe In The Man In The Sky * 2.16
23. Joshua Fit The Battle ** 2.42
24. He Knows Just What I Need * 2.14
25. Swing Down Sweet Chariot ** 2.35
26. Mansion Over The Hilltop * 3.00
27. If We Never Meet Again ** 2.01
28. Working On The Building ** 1.54
(Released November 1960)
* Recorded RCA Studio B, Nashville, October 30, 1960
** Recorded RCA Studio B, Nashville, October 31, 1960
Bonus Tracks From ‘Welcome Home Elvis’
29. It’s Nice To Go Travelling (With Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop & Nancy Sinatra) 3.46
30. Fame And Fortune 2.25
31. Stuck On You 2.23
32. Love Me Tender/Witchcraft (With Frank Sinatra) 1.41
(Recorded In Miami, Florida, 26th March, 1960)