23rd March - Elvis Presley's Elvis Presley

Artist – Album: Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley

Released:  23^rd March 1956         

Sounds Like: Rock and Roll

At 57 years young, Elvis Presley’s Elvis Presley is the oldest album I’ll be listening to during this whole silly project, and there could hardly be a more fitting golden oldie to hold that crown.

This album, the King’s debut, marked the moment that the nascent rock and roll genre really became a phenomenon. It also stands as one of the first great music albums of any genre; the album being a medium that had hitherto taken a back seat to the common garden variety single (and, before that, music sheets – way back when, a songs popularity was measured by how many sheets of piano music had been sold for people to play at home). Studio albums had been around for a while but they tended to be a loose collection of greatest hits or live recordings, and lacked the focus or drive of this effort. Admittedly Frank Sinatra’s In The Wee Small Hours (the first concept album) was released a year before, but this was the first time a bright new star had released a landmark record. And it was good.

It could have been the case that this album’s legend had arisen as a result of his enduring infamy or subsequent greatness – this is why The Beatles’ and The Rolling Stones’ earliest albums are lauded – but, the truth is, this is a fantastic album by its own merit. Kicking off with his magnificent cover of Carl Perkins’ ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, the record proceeds to electrify, woo, and lament the listener in whirlwind turns. His may not be the best ever versions of ‘I Got a Woman’, ‘Tutti Frutti’ and ‘Money Honey’, but that’s no disgrace as these are stone cold classics and he makes them all great fun. Meanwhile, the soulful balladry shown ‘I’m Counting on You’ displayed a light touch and heart that had not before been seen in his early hits.

It may be the oldest album i’ll listen to, but it’s still amongst the best.

Albumaday... rating: 10/10

1.       Blue Suede Shoes – 2:01

2.       I’m Counting on You – 2:24

3.       I Got a Woman – 2:26

4.       One-Sided Love Affair – 2:11

5.       I Love You Because – 2:44

6.       Just Because – 2:34

7.       Tutti Frutti – 1:59

8.       Tryin’ to Get to You – 2:33

9.       I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) – 2:01

10.   I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) – 2:24

11.   Blue Moon – 2:41

12.   Money Honey -  2:33

Listen to ‘Tryin’ To Get to You’:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SRRRhdtzY89P41Qdkk6OA

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2004: Madvillain - Madvillainy

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1973: Roxy Music – For Your Pleasure

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1978: Bob Marley – Kaya