One of Elvis' greatest soundtracks

I love the Viva Las Vegas/Roustabout sountracks.There are many great,fun songs on this disc.My only complaint would be that on the Viva Las Vegas part,they didn't include the movie version of C'mon Everybody,I love the movie version a lot,though the master take is ok.I highly recommend this disc to any Elvis fan.

Totally purchase worthy!

I purchased this CD years ago as a total Elvis hater turned appreciator after seeing the video and hearing the music. Elvis and Ann-Margret have an excellent chemistry and the Viva Las Vegas part of this CD is practically worn out! Buy this CD just for You're the Boss and The Lady Loves Me and you'll be happy. Buy the video, buy the CD and sing along! ...in the middle of the night when the moon is shining bright, you're the boss...

Worth a listen for the open minded

Elvis' soundtrack recordings are generally considered the nadir of his career but the truth is that his singing until at least 1965 was generally superb and whenever he was given half a chance he always came through. This CD is exhibit "A".

On the "Viva Las Vegas" end, Presley is given a few decent tunes for once and turns in what would have been one of the period's most interesting albums,if this had been released as an album. You would never guess it from the film's camp reputation but Presley tries new things here. "Viva Las Vegas", which contains some of his most dramatic singing, is as good a mixture of swing and rock and roll as anything Bobby Darin ever did. That it's often dismissed as just another goofy movie song is unforgiveable. For Doc Pomus' lyrics, alone that capture the essence of the city, the song is a classic. The best ever remake of "What'd I Say" features the largest arrangement Presley had ever used up to that time. Driven by furious drumming from Hal Blaine who pounds his tom toms in a high speed endless roll and an ecstatic vocal by Presley, this is the only version that even comes close to Ray Charles. "I Need Someone to Lean On" is an intimate Frank Sinatra style saloon tune, also new territory for Presley. In more familiar areas "C'mon Everybody" and "If You Think I Don't Need You" are first-rate dance numbers and the duet with Ann Margaret on "You're the Boss" is thrillingly raunchy(you can feel their chemistry), far better than the original by Jimmy Ricks and Laven Baker. Much of the rest is standard movie fare but delivered with Presley's usual aplomb.

Roustabout is a bit of a different story. The material is weak, some of Presley's vocals seem a little rushed and it sounds like it was recorded in a canyon. Still, even here there are moments including a first-rate pop rock number in "One Track Heart" and a fine but very close to the original remake of the Coasters' "Little Egypt". Plus "Hard Knocks" and "Big Big Love Heartache" are better than passable.

Making all of the material a little more acceptable is the packaging which contains photos from the films (though not many) and session information. It's intelligent but not all it could be. The sound throughout features a little too much echo. (On Roustabout this can be attributed to the original recording conditions.) Also more detail in the liner notes would have been appreciated. Finally, it wouldn't have killed BMG to stuff a few hooks in here for collectors. Except for the previously released duets there are no rarities. Given the brief length of the album (53 minutes) there was plenty room for an alternate take or two especially the terrific movie version of "C'mon Everybody" which is still unreleased.
Overall though this is a must for fans, while the casual listener will be challenged but also rewarded.