Elvis Aaron Presley was an 8 LP box set released in 1980 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his recording debut. Despite the high price tag it sold over a million copies and consisted basically of unreleased live performances and obscure tracks from Elvis’ long recording career. Many of these tracks have now been re-released a number of times but in 1980 they were unique. This set was issued in CD form in the early 1990s but has long been out of print.
Side one of the first disc is an early live performance recorded at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas in the spring of 1956. It is a short thirteen minute concert but Elvis rocks throughout. “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Money Honey” are sung in their entireties at a blistering pace. These are not the throwaway songs they would become in the 1970s but rather find a young, vibrant Elvis at his rock ‘n’ roll best. Side two is a thirteen minute monologue recorded on the set of one of his movies. It is interesting to hear once but that’s about it.
The second disc contains a complete concert performed March 25, 1961 in Honolulu Hawaii. This 15 song set featured fourteen of Elvis’ early hits plus a stirring rendition of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” From the opening “Heartbreak Hotel” and “All Shook Up” to the closing “Hound Dog,” he is found at the top of his game. Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, Bobby Moore and Hank Garland comprised his crack band at the time.
The third disc is entitled “Collectors’ Gold From The Movie Years.” It is basically alternate versions of previously released songs from his films. It really does not matter if this is take 16 of “Wild In The Country” or take 4 of “A Dogs Life,” most of the songs sound the same as the originally released versions and this disc is best skipped.
Disc four contains songs from Elvis’ 1968, 1973 and 1977 TV specials. All of the tracks had been released prior to 1980 and here they are removed from their television and concert contexts. It’s nice to hear “Blue Christmas,” “Lawdy Miss Clawdy/Baby What You Want Me To Do” and “You Gave Me A Mountain” again but it not necessary.
Article comments
1 - Jim Burrows
Hi!! Correction, the box sold 250,000 copies, thereby earning a Platinum award from the RIAA, which meant that 1,000,000 of the discs manufactured were sold.
2 - Jim Burrows
At an average of US$65 when the box was released, this meant RCA grossed over US$16 million dollars from sales of this box in the US alone. Assuming the project cost US$5 million, distribution, production, ads, this allowed RCA to have a profit of US$ 11 million, again, in the US alone. Amazing!!
3 - El Bicho
is it Aron or Aaron?
4 - David Bowling
The title of the album, "Elvis Aron Presley," is correct. Elvis' parents named him Aron but the state records would show Aaron. Both spellings would be used at various points during his lifetime. Elvis' tomb reads Aaron and Elvis preferred that spelling. The RCA label in their infinate wisdom chose Aron for this album ttle. Thanks, David
5 - Pico
David, now that you're done, I want to take this opportunity to give you big props for providing a fascinating trip through Elvis' major recordings. Presley's music was something I could never get into, but without him, there wouldn't be any of the rock acts that I do love. There's no denying the man's importance to the development and wide acceptance of rock 'n' roll and reading these "chapters" helped me to understand that a little better. Thanks.