A nice package all around

This is really a very nice collection of love songs from Elvis. I wish the tracking order had been in chronoligcal order by year, but otherwise I'm very happy with the collection. I purchased it for the unreleased studio version of "For The Good Times" which is nice, but in my opinion does not come close to the live version on the Madison Square Garden album. For those that are new to Elvis thanks to the #1 hits and 2nd To None collections this will be a great way to hear a little of the different styles of music Elvis was capable of. I do have to say that "Unchained Melody" is a stand out on here as every Elvis fan knows that this was close to the end for him, but the voice was stronger than ever. Sure Elvis fans will have these songs in their collections already, but the remastering job by Vic Anesini is stellar and it brings new life to these classics and will not disappoint.

another mixed bag?

How long does a sex symbol last? Isn't it time to seaze repackaging and stick to re-releasing? Those are the questions one'd likely pose to RCA Victor. With everything he has been to America and the world to date - Elvis is the last artist on the roster to benefit from this 20-something ad-hoc tracks culled from dozen original sources. OK, it's a brilliant remaster to bring out yet new dynamics in "Are You Lonesome..." and the booklet texture feels silky stylish, but what's definitely missing is His singularity. Mundane "Surrender" takes place where fancier "Suspicion (torments my heart)" should've been. Few live recordings (again and umpteenth time!) virtually ruin the studio homogenity of this - predominantly studio - collection. No, it's not THAT bad. No one can take Elvis material and come up with an offhand product. But it stand no chance in the store against a "two Elvis albums on 1 CD" thing. Remaster or no remaster.

Good selection of love songs by the King

Elvis recorded many great love songs during his career so trying to select just twenty-four for this compilation must have been a daunting task.



Several of those selected are the obvious classics that will be forever associated with Elvis (even if one or two of them were previously recorded by other singers) - these include Are you lonesome tonight, Can't help falling in love, Always on my mind, It's now or never, Love me tender, A fool such as I, The wonder of you and There goes my everything.



There also some Elvis songs that aren't always selected for compilations of this type (Don't, If I can dream) as well as covers of songs generally associated with other singers, but which Elvis sing superbly. These include Hawaiian wedding song, Fever, Let it be me, And I love you so, You don't have to say you love me and Unchained melody.



While this collection has much to commend it, you may wish to consider the similarly themed double CD (50 greatest love songs), which contains most of the tracks here and appears to offer better value for money.