He's "The King" alright!

The quality is so good on these tracks, you would never believe that some of them are 50 years old! This set really made me a fan. I'm only 34, but my mother used to play Elvis' 8-tracks in the 70's, I remember when he died and I even visited Graceland in '95 (my first visit), but these 3 CDs opened my mind to all that is "ELVIS". Put your headphones on and prepare to be blown away!

I cannot get enough of this music...

I saw "Jailhouse Rock" a few weeks ago on South African TV. Wow, I'm 43 and I did not know Elvis was that good... The movie and the music was amazing!! After his (Elvis or Vince in the movie) performance of "You're so square baby I don't care", I was hooked! I bought this 3xCD collection because it offers 3 songs from the movie (You're so square, Treat me nice and Jailhouse rock) and I discovered SO much more!! (Mystery train, One night, Like a baby, Reconsider baby, Little Sister, Anything that's part of you, etc.) The info in the 3 booklets makes it extra special. (e.g. Elvis played the bass in "You're so square" - Bill Black could not manage the throbbing intro). Wonder what his reaction would be to the present situation: his music available on CD, his movies on DVD, his interviews, concert videos etc. on the internet...

Incredible Music, Idiotic Packaging

This three-CD set is a study in contrast.

First, and most important, this is The King. Elvis Presley is presented at his versatile best, with foot-tapping, hip-swinging rockers, heart-tugging ballads, socially-conscious cerebral cuts from late in his career, and even a token appearance by a Christmas melody. The tracks are originals and the remastering is excellent. It's not an anthology, and his marvelous movie-music is conspicuously absent, but seems to have been replaced by very hard to find early offerings and excellent covers of other artist's hits, again from late in his career.

The down-side to the set is the absurd packaging. The CDs are set in "base-only" jewel cases which are glued to a cardboard cover. The individual booklets (one for each of the three CDs) are also glued into place, facing their respective CD. The result is that the booklets cannot be removed for ease of reading, the jewel cases are basically useless, and the unwieldy cardboard package (10 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches high) has the portability of a brick.

That problem notwithstanding, the heart of this collection is the music, and that heart beats loud and strong. Considering the price, this set is a superior value.

Just remember to pick up a few loose jewel cases when you order "Elvis Presley - The Artist of the Century." You'll need them.