Could be the Best Elvis Collection Ever

I recently picked up a copy of That's the Way It Is: Special Edition (TTWIISE), and I'm glad I did! To put it simply, if you're an Elvis fan, you MUST have this CD set in your collection. I've always considered the period of 1969-1970 to be Elvis's absolute best, and TTWIISE certainly proves that.



The first CD contains the 12 tracks from the original album, plus 7 additional songs which range from a tender, heartfelt version of "Love Letters" to the lively, rockin' "Cindy, Cindy." The second disc contains Elvis's live concert. Included are knockout versions of "Just Pretend," "Sweet Caroline," and "You've Lost That Loving Feeling." There's a section of the show that Elvis dedicates to some of his older songs, and it's more like a jam session than a concert. He messes up the words to "I Was the One," directs the band to finish the song, and jokes with the audience about it. You can hear the delight of the crowd at seeing Elvis so laid back and casual. The third CD contains 9 additional live songs, including some absolutely outstanding versions of "Twenty Days and Twenty Nights," "Make the World Go Away," and "Don't Cry Daddy." The rest of this disc is filled with songs from Elvis's band rehearsals. Some are excellent recordings in their own right, but many of them are of Elvis joking around with the band (such as "Peter Gunn Theme," in which Elvis impersonates the famous horn riff in that tune). It's interesting to hear these rehearsals without the addition of backup singers and the orchestra. The raw energy of the core musicians in Elvis's band is fantastic.



Get yourself a copy of this must-have collection of TTWIISE...you won't be sorry!

Elvis proving himself as a performer

The side of Elvis as revealed in his Las Vegas concerts is an important one. In these shows, he proved himself to be the supreme perfectionist, that is the perfectionist who presents himself as casual and off-the-cuff. He has to be one of the very best performers in relating to his audience, and this set shows this.

There are three CDs here: The original "That's The Way It Is" with additional tracks, a complete concert, and the 3rd containing 9 live performances and a number of rehearsals.

Of course, many of Elvis' major hits are performed here, but there are many rarer songs too as well as unique renditions of contemporary songs made famous by others, such as George Harrison's "Something", B. J. Thomas' "I Just Can't Help Believin'", Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", and the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Loving Feeling". And these weren't hap-hazard selections. These were the show-stopping type numbers that Elvis realized intuitively would go over with the Las Vegas crowds.

This is one magnificent set to have in your collection, if you in any way appreciate Elvis.

One Of The Best Collections Of The King's Music Ever

Many Elvis Presley boxed sets have been released over the years, and 2000 "That's The Way It Is" is one of the best in the bunch. Released to commemorate the thirtieth annivesary of his 1970 concert movie, "That's The Way It Is", it features three discs of timeless music that any Presley fan would love to get their hands on.

Disc 1 features the original 12 songs featured on the original studio soundtrack. Songs like "Twenty Days And Twenty Nights", "How The Web Was Woven", "Just Pretend", "Stranger In The Crowd" and "The Next Step Is Love" are among Elvis' best ever works. Also included are dynamic live versions of blistering originals "Patch It Up", "I've Lost You" and his dynamic cover versions of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling", "I Just Can't Help Believin'" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water", as well as his excellent hit cover of Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" (Billboard number 11).

Added to the original soundtrack are 7 bonus songs, most of them from 1971's "Love Letters From Elvis". These include "Love Letters" (this version is better han the 1966 top twenty hit version), "When I'm Over You" (great intro), and covers of Tony Bennett's "Rags To Riches" and The Beatles' "Something". These are just further proof that Elvis could make good music out of just about anything.

Disc 2 features his complete August 12, 1970, concert. Possibly the best concert in his entire performing career. Elvis performs each song with incredible gusto, breathing new life into oldies "Hound Dog", "Blue Suede Shoes", "One Night", "Heartbreak Hotel", "All Shook Up" and "Love Me", as well as covers like Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" and The Bee Gees' "Words". Elvis' impeccable sense of humor is intact, as evident by his performance of "Are You Lonesome Tonight".

Disc 3 is the best disc. The first 9 songs are more live performances. These include wondeful versions of "I Got A Woman", "I Can't Stop Loving You", "Twenty Days And Twenty Nights" and "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me". Elvis' voice is great on this disc, as evident on "Don't Cry Daddy" and "In The Ghetto".

Tracks 10 - 25 are the real reason I bought this disc. These tracks are from rehearsals for the concerts. These recording represents a more relaxed Elvis. He continuously jokes around here, and dusts off older numbers like "That's All Right", "Such A Night", "It's Now Or Never" and "(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I". The last 3 tracks are the best. "Santa Clause Is Back In Town" revived and done as a smooth blues. "Farther Along" is a fun gospel number, and the closing "Oh Happy Day" is a joyful singalong.

This album shows Elvis in his latter - day prime. It also comes with a beautiful 24 - page boxed set featuring a wonderful essay, lovely pictures, and track information. Needed for any Elvis fans.

That's the Way It Is, is the Way All Rock and Roll Should Be

This album is by far the greatest Rock n' Roll live album ever recorded. After the nervous Sun Sessions, after the Army, after the dozens of mediocre flicks, and after the '68 Special - Elvis took control of Rock N' Roll. The power of his performance on this special edition 3 disc set will never be matched. He was at the top of his game, which speaks volumes for the "KING OF ROCK N' ROLL". Additionally, the TCB Band, including Ronnie Tutt, Glenn Hardin, Jerry Schiff, and James Burton is a collection of the best musicians in America. All have gone on to play for notable acts such as the Grateful Dead! Their musicianship on this albulm is only matched by the powerful performances of Elvis. He was at his peak during this period. If you want to hear Rock N' Roll, and want to hear it's King at his peak this is a must have session. I have both the 3CD set and the 5 LP set. Elvis strived for this sound the rest of his career, but unfortunately could never match the precision and vitality of this albulm. And that the way it is!

The Best Of Elvis...Period!

Ok, let's just start by saying this is Elvis at his absolute best...ever! Not just the 70's but completely. Since my parents had this on 8-track (yes 8-track!) when I was a kid I have loved this album, as well as the film. Now, we get it all in a wonderful 3-disc set! We get the original album sounding absolutely stellar, plus the remaining tracks from the sessions minus 2. These happen to be the studio versions of Patch It Up and I've Lost You. These would have been nice inclusions, but the set as whole makes up for this one error. What wonderful songs: Mary In The Morning, How The Web Was Woven, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and maybe my all time favorite Elvis track, The Next Step Is Love. Disc 2 features an entire live performance from the stint in Vegas that was the basis of the documentary. This concert shows the King in tremendous voice and energy. He has some nice bantering with the crowd. Then we get disc 3 which contains 9 extra live tracks and a mess of rehearsal tracks to round out the set. Also, the original cover of the LP is probably the best cover on any Elvis album. It would have been nice if they could have made that more the theme for this release as well, but not a real issue. This is one very fantastic CD set! Well worth the price!

The Way It Is Now

Fabulous concert and studio performances made THAT'S THE WAY IT IS one of the greatest albums - and one of the greatest films - of Elvis' career. By adding more of both, RCA has actually managed to improve this package, something far too many such bloated expansions fail to do. Whether making hits by B.J. Thomas, the Righteous Brothers and Paul Simon his own, saving schmaltz through his matchless range and delivery, tearing through his own back catalogue with the formidable aid of James Burton's guitar or kissing every woman in the first ten rows, this is the King as he is loved and remembered throughout the globe. I won't even dwell on specifics here; suffice it to say that the original album is still perfect, the extended "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" is enough reason for disc two and the transition from "Don't Cry, Daddy" into "In the Ghetto" alone justifies disc three. My only warning, and I've learned this from experience, is that you'll quite likely be transformed from an Elvis fan into an Elvis collector by this set, so take care.