Posted October 30, 201212 yr http://www.elvisnews.com/images/coverart/big/cd-hits-of-the-70s.jpg Two CDs in the classic album series, one doesn't really fit since it is a compilation and the other can't be called classic due to its performance in sales, but well, it is an original album. First Loes' view on the compilation. Design Like we are used to by now, the design is beautiful. At least for me, because this was a LP I didn’t have until I married Lex. Often I held it in my hands in the vinyl store, long ago, but I did not have enough pocket money to actually buy it myself. Content If you want facts and numbers don’t read any further, because I am not a database: I just love this music all my life and it brings back memories, feelings and thoughts of the past. Also I am not a real fan of live concerts on CD, because I want to see a concert. When there is no moving material available I just want to listen with my eyes closed and of course I want the best version of that song: the master only. Disc 1 The Wonder of You, a truly beautiful love song; whenever I hear this, I remember all the lonely nights where I dreamt of my true love. Oh I longed for the right love in my life. I think every woman loves to hear a man call her a wonder. Maybe I have to tell you that lyrics are very important to me. I’m Leavin’; this emptiness inside me…. I tried so hard each time… living from day to day… I could have written this myself, if I had a talent for songwriting. Elvis’ voice helped me to make it through the most difficult decision of my life. Burning Love: yeah, some good old rocking! I simply love this tune. Although since I met Lex, there is some downside to it, because (due to his strange sense of humor) he wants to ‘hear’ this song at his cremation. A bit morbid to dance on his grave, but the rhythm could make me do it anyway. Always on my Mind; as a little girl, I loved the thought that a man would ever say these words to me. And of course my sweet love did not die for him, Elvis I mean. For a very long time Elvis was the only man on my mind, just to help me make it through the nights. I Just Can’t Help Believing; one of the few singles I was able to buy when it came out. How beautiful are this lyrics. Elvis’ voice, with a little crack of despair in it here and there, makes this song part of my top three of Elvis songs. I must admit, this was one of the first Elvis songs I could understand word for word. I love it! You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me: like many others I almost can’t listen to this song without drumming along. And believe me, while listening with ear plugs in, I would be the love of the town. There Goes My Everything: yuck! I am sorry, but I really don’t like this song. Maybe it is the three-four time of the waltz, maybe the memories of my piano teacher, while practicing classic music, but this song simply doesn’t have it for me. Good to have a skipping possibility on my CD player. Rags to Riches: well, Elvis proofs here again what a great reach he had. Hold me and kiss me… he would not have asked me this twice. Until it’s Time for You to Go: this is the song I know word for word. I can’t listen to it without getting my eyes all wet. It is obvious to me this is a song fit for my funeral. I don’t ask people to love me forever, but I sure hope people will love me now. The words of this song are so true for me, it is almost scary. I was an oak, now I am a willow… But unfortunately Lex hates this song, so I can’t do this to him on my funeral. But maybe one of my children will read the lyrics out loud, when the time comes. Kentucky Rain; time for a nice up tempo song. Elvis’ voice is warm and beautiful again, and I really love the strong piano breaks just before the couplet starts again, just like the great drumming by Gene Chrisman. I’ve Lost You; with the first words of this song immediately I am back in time again. This is the ultimate broken heart song of every person who have lost a great love. I would change the lyrics a bit to You’ve lost me, but hey, that was then, I am happy now. An American Trilogy; I really thought for a while this was the national anthem of America. I think it is beautiful, touching and really moving. Glory glory hallelujah: my eyes are wet again. So hush little baby, don’t you cry, you know your daddy is bound to die…. Please hand me a tissue, because by time the flute is there, the tears are running from my eyes. This is an exception by the way, I really love seeing the footage of Aloha while listening to this wonderful song, because that was the first time I heard it. Don’t Cry Daddy; most of us can’t listen to this without thinking about the version with Lisa Marie, but I really prefer this version. I don’t particularly like the violins in this song, but Elvis’ voice make up for it big time. I don’t know many men who have this gentleness in their voice. Polk Salad Annie; wow, again one of my favorites. My feet are moving already. It is hard to understand that this great tune is written by one of the most depressive men in the world. I can’t stand his version (Lex does by the way), but I love this one! Fool; what a great surprise this song was for me. I did not know it for quite some time. Again the lyrics find their way to the very depth of my heart. Once there was a period in my life I could scream the words out load myself. And so my belief that Elvis sings about all that has happened in my life is true again. Take Good Care of Her; not as terrible as There Goes my Everything, but it comes close. The words are not doing it for me. When a woman leaves a man, he can’t be that understanding, not in my book anyway. Please don’t send me any wedding invitations…. Yeah my ass! If You Talk in Your Sleep: now there is a true believable story. I love the bass in this tune. And of course the lyrics are great. Thank God I did not forget from where I came… now 11 years ago (happy anniversary dear!) My Boy; ouch… I just liked to play this on the piano myself. Long before it came true for myself, I use to cry hearing these words. If someone had told me it would become real to me some day, I would have told them to shut up, but it did. And from time to time I still feel the pain of leaving my loved ones behind. Promised Land; this really rocks: I love it! I simply want to dance! What a great band is playing here. Must buy some CDs more by them ;-) The vocalist is great too by the way. Without kidding, this is really one of my favorites again. I know, I have many, but hey, who can listen to this without moving? T-R-O-U-B-L-E; Mercy! Look what just walked through that door. I love the piano here!! It swings from start to end! Glen D Hardin is doing his best here! Did I mention I love Ronnie Tutt as a drummer? I love Ronnie Tutt as a drummer! It rocks big time. Green Green Grass of Home; oh boy, this is a question of conscience. Since I met Lex I am a Tom Jones fan too and many nights we discussed who is better: Elvis or Sir Tom. I have listened to countless versions of this song by TJ and I must confess, he is the better one here. Sorry for standing on some toes here, but it is just a matter of taste I guess. Hurt; one of the songs I immediately recognize by the very first tone, like most of us do. But the minute Elvis stops singing and start talking I am touched deep down my soul. I have heard the swearing version too, of course, and my heart still cries for him while listening to this song. Moody Blue; just the other day I heard this when I was visiting a friend, not an Elvis fan by the way, and I thought, well, this must be a song everybody loves, and I was right. The tune is easy to listen to and personally I like Elvis voice very much here. Way Down; again one of my favorites. For no particular reason, just a catchy song I guess. I do have to read the lyrics though, to understand the song, but hey: it’s Elvis, so it is all right! Disc 2 Mama Liked the Roses; a song I did not know in my early years. I am not that fond of it. Maybe because of the church bells, I don’t know, but although it is a lovely song, I only like the part where Elvis is talking. It is a bit too desperate for me I guess. Heart of Rome; sometimes an alternate version spoils everything. In this case I can’t listen to this song without thinking about pissing in fountains. A true B side, that’s for sure. It's a Matter of Time; I think of this as a ‘little song’. A bit the same as ‘Take Good Care of Her’. For me more of the same. Separate Ways; now we are talking! Oh how many times I played this song very loud on the stereo, just hoping my ex would understand what I was trying to let him know. But since he did not understand one word it was a lost cause. Thank God another love did find me! How the Web Was Woven; the B side of my favorite and therefor well known to me. I remember at first I did not care much about this song. I think it is a bit too slow for my taste. It better could have been a bit more up tempo. Patch It Up; well this one is up tempo: I do like it, but it doesn’t reach my heart, just by listening. This song screams for moving footage to see while listening. I Really Don't Want to Know; sigh….what a ballad, what an emotion in Elvis’ voice. I simply love his way of singing the low notes here. Where Did They Go Lord; if this is what a religion is all about, I would believe in a God too. It would almost make me go to a church. Oh how I love gospel songs by Elvis. Without any reservations he sings on the top of his lungs: wonderful! We Can Make the Morning; this song is definitely in my top 10. Well, maybe even top 5! It makes me speechless, really it does. Again I am very touched by the lyrics. Only a foolish woman would have let this man go! My Little Friend; now this is a catchy tune, simple, but very enjoyable. I love the brass parts in this song. The Next Step Is Love; a nice story about falling in love. I don’t know exactly which alternate take it was, but I remember one which I enjoyed even more than this master. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: well, what can I say about this classic song? I knew it, long before this by Elvis, by Roberto Flack, but I adore the low male voices in this version. Rubberneckin'; in my native language this word is impossible to translate, but I love the tune! But it does the trick: I want to dance again. See See Rider; a very exciting song, which never bores me. I even cried my eyes out at Elvis the Concert, the first time I say this ‘live on stage’. How cool would it have been to see Elvis live too! Steamroller Blues; since I am already in the mood for dancing this is a blues I never stay in my chair. Love every chord, every note of it. The drums, the piano, the brass section, give it to me any time. I've Got a Thing about You Baby; oh I run out of words here: again one of my favorites! I simply can’t imagine anyone who doesn’t like this song. I for one certainly have a thing about this tune! Help Me; okay, a nice tune, but a bit too country for me. Maybe the steel guitar is ruining it for me? Loving Arms; I only can say: Elvis, any time! A truly beautiful song! It's Midnight; every emotion Elvis must have felt during singing this song reach my soul here. I guess he was a very unhappy man from time to time. Mr. Songman; luckily here is a more happy song again. A nice tune, but not too special. Thinking about You; here we go again: his voice does his magic again. Can’t help wondering off again. Often Lex and I talk about what it is in Elvis’ voice that touches our hearts so easily. I can’t put it into words, but it happens when I listen to this wonderful song. For the Heart; I had a dream about you baby… Yeah Right! Don’t know why, but I always loved this tune. It’s catchy, and the band is doing their best. She Thinks I Still Care; very country again, for my personal taste, but good enough thanks to Elvis’ voice. Pledging My Love; I think this is a kind of strange song: don’t know why I like it anyway. No favorite though, but then again, my top 50 is full already. My Way; like so many others, this will be on my funeral too. There are more versions of this song, but no one, really no one touches me like Elvis’ version! The low notes in his voice really move me deep down. The emotion of it all touches my heart. What can I say: he really did it his way! Conclusion When asked what I would take with me to an uninhabited island, this CD (apart from Lex of course) will make it into my suitcase. Am I a 70’s only fan? No definitely not, but almost all these songs are among my favorites. To take them all with me would be too heavy, so this CD will do the trick for me. Tracklist: The Wonder of You I'm Leavin' Burning Love Always on My Mind I Just Can't Help Believin' You Don't Have to Say You Love Me There Goes My Everything Rags to Riches Until It's Time for You to Go Kentucky Rain I've Lost You An American Trilogy Don't Cry Daddy Polk Salad Annie Fool Take Good Care of Her If You Talk in Your Sleep My Boy Promised Land T-R-O-U-B-L-E Green Green Grass of Home Hurt Moody Blue Way Down Mama Liked the Roses Heart of Rome It's a Matter of Time Separate Ways How the Web Was Woven Patch It Up I Really Don't Want to Know Where Did They Go Lord We Can Make the Morning My Little Friend The Next Step Is Love The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Rubberneckin' See See Rider Steamroller Blues I've Got a Thing about You Baby Help Me Loving Arms It's Midnight Mr. Songman Thinking about You For the Heart She Thinks I Still Care Pledging My Love My Way I've got this one :cheer:
October 30, 201212 yr Some great tracks on there and I love the personal thoughts on each song :cheer:
November 5, 201212 yr Author http://www.elvisnews.com/images/coverart/big/cd-hits-of-the-70s.jpg Two CDs in the classic album series, one doesn't really fit since it is a compilation and the other can't be called classic due to its performance in sales, but well, it is an original album. First Loes' view on the compilation. Design Like we are used to by now, the design is beautiful. At least for me, because this was a LP I didn’t have until I married Lex. Often I held it in my hands in the vinyl store, long ago, but I did not have enough pocket money to actually buy it myself. Content If you want facts and numbers don’t read any further, because I am not a database: I just love this music all my life and it brings back memories, feelings and thoughts of the past. Also I am not a real fan of live concerts on CD, because I want to see a concert. When there is no moving material available I just want to listen with my eyes closed and of course I want the best version of that song: the master only. Disc 1 The Wonder of You, a truly beautiful love song; whenever I hear this, I remember all the lonely nights where I dreamt of my true love. Oh I longed for the right love in my life. I think every woman loves to hear a man call her a wonder. Maybe I have to tell you that lyrics are very important to me. I’m Leavin’; this emptiness inside me…. I tried so hard each time… living from day to day… I could have written this myself, if I had a talent for songwriting. Elvis’ voice helped me to make it through the most difficult decision of my life. Burning Love: yeah, some good old rocking! I simply love this tune. Although since I met Lex, there is some downside to it, because (due to his strange sense of humor) he wants to ‘hear’ this song at his cremation. A bit morbid to dance on his grave, but the rhythm could make me do it anyway. Always on my Mind; as a little girl, I loved the thought that a man would ever say these words to me. And of course my sweet love did not die for him, Elvis I mean. For a very long time Elvis was the only man on my mind, just to help me make it through the nights. I Just Can’t Help Believing; one of the few singles I was able to buy when it came out. How beautiful are this lyrics. Elvis’ voice, with a little crack of despair in it here and there, makes this song part of my top three of Elvis songs. I must admit, this was one of the first Elvis songs I could understand word for word. I love it! You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me: like many others I almost can’t listen to this song without drumming along. And believe me, while listening with ear plugs in, I would be the love of the town. There Goes My Everything: yuck! I am sorry, but I really don’t like this song. Maybe it is the three-four time of the waltz, maybe the memories of my piano teacher, while practicing classic music, but this song simply doesn’t have it for me. Good to have a skipping possibility on my CD player. Rags to Riches: well, Elvis proofs here again what a great reach he had. Hold me and kiss me… he would not have asked me this twice. Until it’s Time for You to Go: this is the song I know word for word. I can’t listen to it without getting my eyes all wet. It is obvious to me this is a song fit for my funeral. I don’t ask people to love me forever, but I sure hope people will love me now. The words of this song are so true for me, it is almost scary. I was an oak, now I am a willow… But unfortunately Lex hates this song, so I can’t do this to him on my funeral. But maybe one of my children will read the lyrics out loud, when the time comes. Kentucky Rain; time for a nice up tempo song. Elvis’ voice is warm and beautiful again, and I really love the strong piano breaks just before the couplet starts again, just like the great drumming by Gene Chrisman. I’ve Lost You; with the first words of this song immediately I am back in time again. This is the ultimate broken heart song of every person who have lost a great love. I would change the lyrics a bit to You’ve lost me, but hey, that was then, I am happy now. An American Trilogy; I really thought for a while this was the national anthem of America. I think it is beautiful, touching and really moving. Glory glory hallelujah: my eyes are wet again. So hush little baby, don’t you cry, you know your daddy is bound to die…. Please hand me a tissue, because by time the flute is there, the tears are running from my eyes. This is an exception by the way, I really love seeing the footage of Aloha while listening to this wonderful song, because that was the first time I heard it. Don’t Cry Daddy; most of us can’t listen to this without thinking about the version with Lisa Marie, but I really prefer this version. I don’t particularly like the violins in this song, but Elvis’ voice make up for it big time. I don’t know many men who have this gentleness in their voice. Polk Salad Annie; wow, again one of my favorites. My feet are moving already. It is hard to understand that this great tune is written by one of the most depressive men in the world. I can’t stand his version (Lex does by the way), but I love this one! Fool; what a great surprise this song was for me. I did not know it for quite some time. Again the lyrics find their way to the very depth of my heart. Once there was a period in my life I could scream the words out load myself. And so my belief that Elvis sings about all that has happened in my life is true again. Take Good Care of Her; not as terrible as There Goes my Everything, but it comes close. The words are not doing it for me. When a woman leaves a man, he can’t be that understanding, not in my book anyway. Please don’t send me any wedding invitations…. Yeah my ass! If You Talk in Your Sleep: now there is a true believable story. I love the bass in this tune. And of course the lyrics are great. Thank God I did not forget from where I came… now 11 years ago (happy anniversary dear!) My Boy; ouch… I just liked to play this on the piano myself. Long before it came true for myself, I use to cry hearing these words. If someone had told me it would become real to me some day, I would have told them to shut up, but it did. And from time to time I still feel the pain of leaving my loved ones behind. Promised Land; this really rocks: I love it! I simply want to dance! What a great band is playing here. Must buy some CDs more by them ;-) The vocalist is great too by the way. Without kidding, this is really one of my favorites again. I know, I have many, but hey, who can listen to this without moving? T-R-O-U-B-L-E; Mercy! Look what just walked through that door. I love the piano here!! It swings from start to end! Glen D Hardin is doing his best here! Did I mention I love Ronnie Tutt as a drummer? I love Ronnie Tutt as a drummer! It rocks big time. Green Green Grass of Home; oh boy, this is a question of conscience. Since I met Lex I am a Tom Jones fan too and many nights we discussed who is better: Elvis or Sir Tom. I have listened to countless versions of this song by TJ and I must confess, he is the better one here. Sorry for standing on some toes here, but it is just a matter of taste I guess. Hurt; one of the songs I immediately recognize by the very first tone, like most of us do. But the minute Elvis stops singing and start talking I am touched deep down my soul. I have heard the swearing version too, of course, and my heart still cries for him while listening to this song. Moody Blue; just the other day I heard this when I was visiting a friend, not an Elvis fan by the way, and I thought, well, this must be a song everybody loves, and I was right. The tune is easy to listen to and personally I like Elvis voice very much here. Way Down; again one of my favorites. For no particular reason, just a catchy song I guess. I do have to read the lyrics though, to understand the song, but hey: it’s Elvis, so it is all right! Disc 2 Mama Liked the Roses; a song I did not know in my early years. I am not that fond of it. Maybe because of the church bells, I don’t know, but although it is a lovely song, I only like the part where Elvis is talking. It is a bit too desperate for me I guess. Heart of Rome; sometimes an alternate version spoils everything. In this case I can’t listen to this song without thinking about pissing in fountains. A true B side, that’s for sure. It's a Matter of Time; I think of this as a ‘little song’. A bit the same as ‘Take Good Care of Her’. For me more of the same. Separate Ways; now we are talking! Oh how many times I played this song very loud on the stereo, just hoping my ex would understand what I was trying to let him know. But since he did not understand one word it was a lost cause. Thank God another love did find me! How the Web Was Woven; the B side of my favorite and therefor well known to me. I remember at first I did not care much about this song. I think it is a bit too slow for my taste. It better could have been a bit more up tempo. Patch It Up; well this one is up tempo: I do like it, but it doesn’t reach my heart, just by listening. This song screams for moving footage to see while listening. I Really Don't Want to Know; sigh….what a ballad, what an emotion in Elvis’ voice. I simply love his way of singing the low notes here. Where Did They Go Lord; if this is what a religion is all about, I would believe in a God too. It would almost make me go to a church. Oh how I love gospel songs by Elvis. Without any reservations he sings on the top of his lungs: wonderful! We Can Make the Morning; this song is definitely in my top 10. Well, maybe even top 5! It makes me speechless, really it does. Again I am very touched by the lyrics. Only a foolish woman would have let this man go! My Little Friend; now this is a catchy tune, simple, but very enjoyable. I love the brass parts in this song. The Next Step Is Love; a nice story about falling in love. I don’t know exactly which alternate take it was, but I remember one which I enjoyed even more than this master. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: well, what can I say about this classic song? I knew it, long before this by Elvis, by Roberto Flack, but I adore the low male voices in this version. Rubberneckin'; in my native language this word is impossible to translate, but I love the tune! But it does the trick: I want to dance again. See See Rider; a very exciting song, which never bores me. I even cried my eyes out at Elvis the Concert, the first time I say this ‘live on stage’. How cool would it have been to see Elvis live too! Steamroller Blues; since I am already in the mood for dancing this is a blues I never stay in my chair. Love every chord, every note of it. The drums, the piano, the brass section, give it to me any time. I've Got a Thing about You Baby; oh I run out of words here: again one of my favorites! I simply can’t imagine anyone who doesn’t like this song. I for one certainly have a thing about this tune! Help Me; okay, a nice tune, but a bit too country for me. Maybe the steel guitar is ruining it for me? Loving Arms; I only can say: Elvis, any time! A truly beautiful song! It's Midnight; every emotion Elvis must have felt during singing this song reach my soul here. I guess he was a very unhappy man from time to time. Mr. Songman; luckily here is a more happy song again. A nice tune, but not too special. Thinking about You; here we go again: his voice does his magic again. Can’t help wondering off again. Often Lex and I talk about what it is in Elvis’ voice that touches our hearts so easily. I can’t put it into words, but it happens when I listen to this wonderful song. For the Heart; I had a dream about you baby… Yeah Right! Don’t know why, but I always loved this tune. It’s catchy, and the band is doing their best. She Thinks I Still Care; very country again, for my personal taste, but good enough thanks to Elvis’ voice. Pledging My Love; I think this is a kind of strange song: don’t know why I like it anyway. No favorite though, but then again, my top 50 is full already. My Way; like so many others, this will be on my funeral too. There are more versions of this song, but no one, really no one touches me like Elvis’ version! The low notes in his voice really move me deep down. The emotion of it all touches my heart. What can I say: he really did it his way! Conclusion When asked what I would take with me to an uninhabited island, this CD (apart from Lex of course) will make it into my suitcase. Am I a 70’s only fan? No definitely not, but almost all these songs are among my favorites. To take them all with me would be too heavy, so this CD will do the trick for me. Tracklist: The Wonder of You I'm Leavin' Burning Love Always on My Mind I Just Can't Help Believin' You Don't Have to Say You Love Me There Goes My Everything Rags to Riches Until It's Time for You to Go Kentucky Rain I've Lost You An American Trilogy Don't Cry Daddy Polk Salad Annie Fool Take Good Care of Her If You Talk in Your Sleep My Boy Promised Land T-R-O-U-B-L-E Green Green Grass of Home Hurt Moody Blue Way Down Mama Liked the Roses Heart of Rome It's a Matter of Time Separate Ways How the Web Was Woven Patch It Up I Really Don't Want to Know Where Did They Go Lord We Can Make the Morning My Little Friend The Next Step Is Love The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Rubberneckin' See See Rider Steamroller Blues I've Got a Thing about You Baby Help Me Loving Arms It's Midnight Mr. Songman Thinking about You For the Heart She Thinks I Still Care Pledging My Love My Way Yeah, me too :cheer: I've got this one :cheer:
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