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Hits Of The 70's

By ElvisNews.com/ Kees, June 17, 2008 | Music

The "Sounds Cool" import label released the "seventies" compilation "Hits Of The 70" in a limited run of 500 copies; a cool release?

Design

The design of this release is a remake of the original cover art of the vinyl release of this compilation. The paper is very glossy; almost thin photopaper, inside a more modern design with a few details on the content of this release, some highlight regarding Elvis in the seventies and the history of this original release.

Content

The original LP was released in Germany with twelve tracks and in Austria it even was a double album. This CD edition contains eighteen tracks. I must admit that I'm kind of a sucker for these kinds of re-issues of original albums. Whatever you may think about this re-issue compilation, This CD contains eighteen big showstoppers from the seventies; I can't find a bad song here. These are the kind of songs Elvis could perform like only a few other artists.

The CD contains live and studio versions, the latter in both master and out-take versions (not on the original!), making this compilation a nice mix. It also shows Elvis was a lazy artist in the seventies, some of his greatest hits were live recordings as he apparently had problems finding his way to the studio. That said, this compilation shows Elvis still had his moments in the seventies, so all the critics claming Elvis "died" after 1970 are definitely wrong.

Conclusion

A strong seventies compilation; a CD BMG should pick for re-issue over some of the Camden albums that found their way to a CD release recently.

Tracklisting

The Wonder Of You (Alt. live version from 18 february 1970 Dinner Show)
I´m Leavin´
Burning Love
Always On My Mind (Alt. take 2)
I Just Cant Help Believin' (Alt. live version from August 10, 1970)
You Dont Have To Say You Love Me
There Goes My Everything (Take 1)
Rags To Riches (Take 3)
Until Its Time For You To Go
Kentucky Rain (Take 9)
I've lost you (Studio master)
American Trilogy (Aloha version)
Promised Land
My Boy (Undubbed)
Way Down
Hurt
Moody Blue

wayup wrote on June 18, 2008
Kees, are you serious? You are giving bad review to GAMBIT CD where the effort is obvious (liner notes from a fan who was there, original tape professionally restored, 16 page booklet with relevant photos - some never before published, btw... etc) and you praise this home made crap? Ooooops...
circleG wrote on June 18, 2008
Sony/BMG should have got there first, they still can. A decent DEFINITIVE collection of 70's A and B sides would have a much better impact (and lasting image of the 'king') on the casual buyer and with an outtake or two it would have interested the collector. It could have been a foretaster to the 70's box set much the way Bruce Springsteens's '18 tracks' Cd was for his '30 tracks' box set.
Shakingruud wrote on June 18, 2008
Hi Wayup, just because you don´t like these kind of, as you say, ´home made crap´ , it doesn´t mean everybody dislikes it.. In my opinion its great to have a classic album, for sentimental reasons, finally on CD. Yes, Sony should have release this one, but they are too buzzy with finishing their christmas compilations for this year.....
wayup wrote on June 18, 2008
Shakingruud: can you explain me what is CLASSIC on this "album" ? It is pirate CD, tracks used are not the same versions as on original..... all stuff stolen from BMG releases this is pure s**t and nothing else. ZERO effort, ZERO creativity. You can make CDR like this in less than 30 minutes.
commoneverybody wrote on June 18, 2008
There you go WayUp.... its not a CDr its a real pressed CD..... try to make that one in 30 minutes.... this one looks cool, great artwork superb quality. Like the label says... Sounds Cool :-)
SnOwMan wrote on June 18, 2008
This is plain c-r-a-p. How anybody dare to change the great original track-list???!!! The last 5 tracks plus the different takes don't belong here. Nobody has the right to change the original track-list. The last 3 songs weren't even recorded when this LP was issued in '74.
SnOwMan wrote on June 18, 2008
The songs were stolen from BMG,the artwork was stolen from the creators of the 1974 LP. Great work,"Looks Fake" label... What a creativity! Quick buck.
ElvisDayByDay wrote on June 18, 2008
Wayup, the answer is pretty simple. Regardless of - the appreciation for - the effort made by the producers of any release I enjoyed listening to this release more than listening to the Royal Gambit CD. The same goes for the cheap European budget releases, regardless the 10 page booklet or sell-out of Elvis heritage, the actual music on those disc is really great and that is what I enjoy.
Lex wrote on June 18, 2008
This is just a quick buck. Only interesting for people with huge shelves. I can't imagine anyone would spend a dime on it.
wayup wrote on June 18, 2008
commoneverybody: having all these track on hard disk anyway, I can make this compilation in less than 30 minutes, including cover. 10 minutes is more accurate time. I do not care about the facty it is pressed CD not CDR. It is pressed crap. Of course the idea is simple: there is always 500 fools who will buy anything and because "the producer" spent ZERO of $$ for unreleased tape or for sound work and artwork, it is just quick buck, nothing else. Kees: OK I will send you my favourite compilation on CDR and you can write nice review about it for me, please please ;-). It have GREAT COVER and COOL choice of tracks in GREAT SOUND, all lifted directly from DSD masters as released by BMG ;-). I can make also VOL. 2,3,4,23,47 etc.... and maybe some stealer will grab these CDR, scan the cover and then release it on PRESSED silver CD ;-)
ElvisDayByDay wrote on June 18, 2008
Thanks for the offer Wayup, but you didn't read my post correctly, I have to actually like your compilation for a positive review :-)
ElvisBR wrote on June 18, 2008
C-R-A-P
Ciscoking wrote on June 19, 2008
C-R-A-P for a quick buck ...don`t fill the pockets of these betrayers..wayup is absolutely right..30 Minutes PC work....but obviously this method works..
Jamie wrote on June 24, 2008
Hello, I remember the original LP fondly. Kentucky Rain was mixed differently to the 1960's box-set version. This was most obvious in the fade out, which actually sounded better.
elvistruth wrote on June 28, 2008
Why not release some Elvis albums on sacd? The great career of Presley is waiting forever the great sound that this great singer deserves. Please release all the albums on sacd. What happen with the promised elvis box from Sony?
Jesse Garon Presley wrote on June 29, 2008
this cd is not c-r-a-p. the way u talk about this cd is c-r-a-p. got this cd today, artwork is fabulous, sound is awesome, and no, it's not a cdr and oh yeah, please don't try to convince me otherwise. because i won't go into that discussion anymore. i'm done with that. you have your opinion, and i have mine. an no OldScudder, we are not suckers for buying this cd..
benny scott wrote on June 30, 2008
How right you are Aaron, this is a very nice CD from all points of view ! There seem to be a lot of "fans" on this site who are only happy when they can be negative in their comments. Of course they have the right to have their own opinion, but tryin' to convince other to share their point of view is out of the question for me too. Always El.