Elvis Sings The Blues

A 12-song compilation of Elvis' most notable blues sides for the label. A good place to start digging Elvis' commitment to the music - always returning to it right up through the '70s like an old friend, whenever he needed a quick fix of the real thing - as he takes on everything from R&B slices like Tommy Tucker's "High Heel Sneakers" to Percy Mayfield's "Stranger in My Own Home Town." Major highlights on this collection are Elvis playing acoustic rhythm guitar and driving the band through a take of the Lowell Fulson title track, blistering versions of two Arthur Crudup songs, an unreleased Sun recording of Lonnie Johnson's "Tomorrow Night," and the R-rated take of Smiley Lewis's "One Night (of Sin)." - Cub Koda, All Music Guide

Those people in New York are not gonna change me none",

According to the sleeve notes this is meant to be a collection of Elvis' blues numbers but there are many that don't feature here like "Steam Roller Blues" and "Like a baby" to name a few.In addition,not all the songs are Blues.That said,this is an incredible collection, from the cocky Rockabilly of "My baby left me" to the lethargic blues of "Merry Christmas Baby" and the title track.Not many White artists get away with singing the Blues, as it often comes accross as contrived,but Elvis had it and interestingly when legendary Bluesman Howlin' Wolf was asked to name his favourite Blues artists, Elvis featured on his list.Joe Cocker, also once commented that "Elvis was the best Blues singer in the world." The cover shows a classic,rare photo of Elvis in the early Fifties.