The Best Elvis Presley Career Compilation ?

[James27]

We all know the pros and cons of Elvis compilations. But I get asked regularly by non-Elvis fans which Elvis cd set (2cd or 3cd) spanning his entire career offers the best general overview, in terms of track selection and sound.

Excluding the many single disc compilation albums, there are several good 2CD and 3CD sets on the market since the end of last century. And in various US and EU incarnations.

More music = better compilation, or is less music sometimes more?

What's your choice?

[James27]

"Artist of the Century" 3CD tracklist:

Disc: 1
1. That's All Right
2. Good Rockin' Tonight
3. Baby Let's Play House
4. Mystery Train
5. Trying To Get To You
6. Heartbreak Hotel
7. Blue Suede Shoes
8. My Baby Left Me
9. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
10. Hound Dog
11. Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be)
12. Don't Be Cruel
13. Love Me Tender
14. Love Me
15. Anyplace Is Paradise
16. All Shook Up
17. Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do!
18. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
19. One Night
20. Jailhouse Rock
21. (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care
22. Treat Me Nice
23. Don't
24. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
25. Trouble
26. Hard Headed Woman
27. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
28. A Big Hunk O' Love
29. (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I
30. Judy (bonus track, not on regular release)
31. Raised On Rock (bonus track, not on regular release)
Disc: 2
1. Stuck On You
2. It's Now Or Never
3. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
4. A Mess Of Blues
5. Like A Baby
6. The Girl Of My Best Friend
7. Such A Night
8. Reconsider Baby
9. Surrender
10. Can't Help Falling In Love
11. That's Someone You Never Forget
12. Little Sister
13. (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame
14. Anything That's Part Of You
15. Good Luck Charm
16. She's Not You
17. Return To Sender
18. (You're The) Devil In Disguise
19. Memphis Tennessee
20. It Hurts Me
21. Down In The Alley
22. Run On
23. Tomorrow Is A Long Time
24. Big Boss Man
25. Guitar Man
26. Tiger Man
27. Edge Of Reality (bonus track, not on regular release)
28. Kentucky Rain (bonus track, not on regular release)
Disc: 3
1. If I Can Dream
2. In The Ghetto
3. Suspicious Minds
4. Don't Cry Daddy
5. I'll Hold You In My Heart
6. Stranger In My Own Home Town
7. After Loving You
8. Only The Strong Survive
9. The Wonder Of You
10. Polk Salad Annie
11. I've Lost You
12. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
13. I Just Can't Help Believin'
14. Merry Chistmas Baby
15. I'm Leavin'
16. An American Trilogy
17. Burning Love
18. Always On My Mind
19. Promised Land
20. For The Heart
21. Way Down (bonus track, not on regular release)


"The 50 Greatest Hits" 2CD tracklist:

Disc: 1
1. That's All Right
2. Mystery Train
3. Heartbreak Hotel
4. Blue Suede Shoes
5. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
6. Hound Dog
7. Don't Be Cruel
8. Love Me Tender
9. Too Much
10. All Shook Up
11. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
12. Party
13. Loving You
14. Jailhouse Rock
15. Don't
16. Trouble
17. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
18. King Creole
19. Hard Headed Woman
20. One Night
21. (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I
22. Big Hunk O' Love
23. Stuck on You
24. Girl of My Best Friend
25. It's Now or Never
Disc: 2
1. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
2. Wooden Heart
3. Surrender
4. (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame
5. Can't Help Falling in Love
6. Good Luck Charm
7. She's Not You
8. Return to Sender
9. (You're The) Devil in Disguise
10. Viva Las Vegas
11. Crying in the Chapel
12. Love Letters
13. Guitar Man
14. If I Can Dream
15. In the Ghetto
16. Suspicious Minds
17. Don't Cry Daddy
18. Wonder of You
19. I Just Can't Help Believin'
20. American Trilogy
21. Burning Love
22. Always on My Mind
23. Suspicion
24. Moody Blue
25. Way Down

"Hitstory" 3CD (EU version) tracklist:

Disc: 1
1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. Don't Be Cruel
3. Hound Dog
4. Love Me Tender
5. Too Much
6. All Shook Up
7. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
8. Jailhouse Rock
9. Don't
10. Hard Headed Woman
11. One Night
12. (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I
13. Big Hunk O' Love
14. Stuck on You
15. It's Now or Never
16. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
17. Wooden Heart
18. Surrender
19. (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame
20. Can't Help Falling in Love
21. Good Luck Charm
22. She's Not You
23. Return to Sender
24. (You're The) Devil in Disguise
25. Crying in the Chapel
26. In the Ghetto
27. Suspicious Minds
28. Wonder of You
29. Burning Love
30. Way Down
31. Little Less Conversation [JXL Radio Edit Remix]
Disc: 2
1. That's All Right
2. I Forgot to Remember to Forget
3. Blue Suede Shoes
4. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
5. Love Me
6. Mean Woman Blues
7. Loving You
8. Treat Me Nice
9. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
10. King Creole
11. Trouble
12. I Got Stung
13. I Need Your Love Tonight
14. Mess of Blues
15. I Feel So Bad
16. Little Sister
17. Rock-A-Hula Baby
18. Bossa Nova Baby
19. Viva Las Vegas
20. If I Can Dream
21. Memories
22. Don't Cry Daddy
23. Kentucky Rain
24. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
25. American Trilogy
26. Always on My Mind
27. Promised Land
28. Moody Blue
29. I'm a Roustabout
30. Rubberneckin' [Paul Oakenfold Remix-Radio Edit]
Disc: 3
1. Blue Moon
2. Mystery Train
3. Rip It Up
4. Got a Lot O' Livin' to Do
5. Trying to Get to You
6. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
7. Paralysed
8. Party
9. I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone
10. Girl of My Best Friend
11. Wild in the Country
12. One Broken Heart for Sale
13. Kiss Me Quick
14. Kissin' Cousins
15. Such a Night
16. Ain't That Loving You Baby
17. Tell Me Why
18. Frankie and Johnny
19. All That I Am
20. Guitar Man
21. Us Male
22. I've Lost You
23. There Goes My Everything
24. Rags to Riches
25. I Just Can't Help Believin'
26. Until It's Time for You to Go
27. My Boy
28. Suspicion
29. My Way
30. Are You Lonesome Tonight? [Laughing Version-1982 Special Bonus Track]

"Hitstory" 3CD (US version) tracklist:

Disc: 1
1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. Don't Be Cruel
3. Hound Dog
4. Love Me Tender
5. Too Much
6. All Shook Up
7. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
8. Jailhouse Rock
9. Don't
10. Hard Headed Woman
11. One Night
12. (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I
13. Big Hunk o' Love
14. Stuck on You
15. It's Now or Never
16. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
17. Wooden Heart
18. Surrender
19. (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame
20. Can't Help Falling in Love
21. Good Luck Charm
22. She's Not You
23. Return to Sender
24. (You're The) Devil in Disguise
25. Crying in the Chapel
26. In the Ghetto
27. Suspicious Minds
28. Wonder of You
29. Burning Love
30. Way Down
31. Little Less Conversation [JXL Radio Edit Remix]
Disc: 2
1. That's All Right
2. I Forgot to Remember to Forget
3. Blue Suede Shoes
4. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
5. Love Me
6. Mean Woman Blues
7. Loving You
8. Treat Me Nice
9. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
10. King Creole
11. Trouble
12. I Got Stung
13. I Need Your Love Tonight
14. Mess of Blues
15. I Feel So Bad
16. Little Sister
17. Rock-A-Hula Baby
18. Bossa Nova Baby
19. Viva Las Vegas
20. If I Can Dream
21. Memories
22. Don't Cry Daddy
23. Kentucky Rain
24. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
25. American Trilogy
26. Always on My Mind
27. Promised Land
28. Moody Blue
29. I'm a Roustabout
30. Rubberneckin' [Paul Oakenfold Remix -- Radio Edit]
Disc: 3
1. I Beg of You
2. My Wish Came True
3. Ain't That Loving You Baby
4. Fame and Fortune
5. I Gotta Know
6. Flaming Star
7. Follow That Dream
8. One Broken Heart for Sale
9. Kissin' Cousins
10. Such a Night
11. Ask Me
12. (Such An) Easy Question
13. I'm Yours
14. Puppet on a String
15. Love Letters
16. Separate Ways
17. Steamroller Blues
18. If You Talk in Your Sleep
19. My Boy

"The King" 2CD tracklist:

Disc: 1
1. Suspicious Minds
2. Blue Suede Shoes
3. Jailhouse Rock
4. Love Me Tender
5. Don't Be Cruel
6. King Creole
7. Hard Headed Woman
8. All Shook Up
9. Hound Dog
10. Too Much
11. Heartbreak Hotel
12. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
13. (Let's Have A) Party
14. That's All Right
15. One Night
16. (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I
17. Big Hunk O' Love
18. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
19. Crying in the Chapel
20. Stuck on You
21. Wooden Heart
22. Viva Las Vegas
23. (You're The) Devil in Disguise
24. Guitar Man
25. Little Less Conversation [JXL Single Version]
26. Welcome to My World [*]
Disc: 2
1. In the Ghetto
2. Burning Love
3. Always on My Mind
4. Wonder of You
5. I Just Can't Help Believin'
6. There Goes My Everything
7. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
8. American Trilogy
9. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
10. My Boy
11. Green Green Grass of Home
12. Can't Help Falling in Love
13. Rock a Hula Baby
14. Return to Sender
15. Don't
16. (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame
17. Good Luck Charm
18. Surrender
19. She's Not You
20. Mess of Blues
21. It's Now or Never
22. Fever
23. Moody Blue
24. Way Down
25. My Way
26. If I Can Dream [*]

"The Essential" 2CD tracklist:

Disc 1:
"That's All Right, Mama"
"Baby, Let's Play House"
"Mystery Train"
"Heartbreak Hotel"
"I Was the One"
"Blue Suede Shoes"
"Hound Dog"
"Don't Be Cruel"
"Love Me Tender"
"All Shook Up"
"Peace in the Valley"
"Jailhouse Rock"
"Trouble"
"Fever"
"It's Now or Never"
"Reconsider Baby"
"Are You Lonesome Tonight?"
"Little Sister"
"Follow That Dream"
"Can't Help Falling in Love"

Disc 2:
"Return to Sender"
"Devil in Disguise"
"Bossa Nova, Baby"
"Viva Las Vegas"
"Big Boss Man"
"A Little Less Conversation"
"If I Can Dream"
"Memories"
"In the Ghetto"
"Suspicious Minds"
"Don't Cry Daddy"
"Kentucky Rain"
"Polk Salad Annie"
"The Wonder of You"
"I Just Can't Help Believin'"
"Burning Love"
"Always on My Mind"
"Steamroller Blues"
"Hurt"
"Moody Blue"

[KiwiAlan]

I voted other.

In particular the 2CD The Top Ten Hits.

I am assuming that sound quality is not the issue.

[midnightx]

Career compilation doesn't necessarily mean hits compilation. A great career compilation that shows a multitude of sides to Elvis' recording career would be the "Platinum" set. A great mix of masters, alternates, home recordings, rehearsals, live takes spanning his entire career.

[Spellbinder]

I voted for Artist Of The Century.

[KevR]

Artist of the Century gives a very good overview with several less familiar album tracks but misses a few later hits (Moody Blue, Way Down) that the non fans (about whom this thread was started) would probably expect to be included when they finally buy that Elvis CD for their collection. I therefore voted for 50 Greatest Hits.

[elvisonline]

Having just picked up Hitstory for £5 in Tescos this past weekend I voted for that disk. The sound, the value (90 tracks), the hits (they are virtually all included). Surely there is no better value than this set?

Incidentally, and I know this may have been covered before, did BMG ever sort out the Hound Dog pop, the clanging on Suspicious Minds and the error on Way Down? Also, did any versions of Hitstory ever contain corrected versions of the Wonder Of You and the other Alt takes that were not original?

elvisonline

[James27]

Supposedly it was corrected on the US version, but not on the EU version?
I will know for sure once I received my order of the EU version.

[rockinrebel]

My vote goes to “Artist Of The Century”. I still think it is the best introduction to Elvis’ music out there. All of the recordings used were the original masters, and it has a great mix of well known hits and lesser known gems from the Presley catalogue.

The problem with collections that focus solely on the hits is that they don’t necessarily represent the artist at his best. “Wooden Heart” for example was a cross over hit, and I can see the appeal that the record must have had at the time, but in terms of representing Elvis at his best (both vocally and creatively) it doesn’t compare to a track like “Reconsider Baby” or “Run On”.

Therefore, with the approach BMG took with “Hitstory” we see tracks such as “Kissin’ Cousins”, “One Broken Heart For Sale” and “Frankie & Johnny” making the cut due to their hits status, when there are much better recordings featured on “Artist”.

[James27]

Interesting to see that the oldest compilation of the bunch (1999) so far gets the most votes, while the youngest ones (2007) receive none (so far).

[rockinrebel]

Interesting to see that the oldest compilation of the bunch (1999) so far gets the most votes, while the youngest ones (2007) receive none.

It’s probably because as fans and collectors we know there are many great recordings outside of the 30 – 40 hits that are constantly re-packaged, and a collection like “Artist of The Century” reflects this.

If we asked the casual CD buyer the same question we would probably get a completely different set of results. When I was growing up I absolutely loved the 1975 Arcade set “Elvis’ 40 Greatest”, but at the time I wasn’t aware of all of the other great tracks that were buried on albums or B sides.

[ColinB]

Supposedly it was corrected on the US version, but not on the EU version?
I will know for sure once I received my order of the EU version.

Apparently, when they combined the albums Elv1s 30# 1 Hits & 2nd To None into the 2-CD set: Hitstory, the errors were corrected.

[norrie]

I went other.Other being The all Time Greatest Hits
from 1987.This was the album that rekindled my
interest in Elvis after a few years in Heavy Metal
hell after bowing to peer pressure in my teens.
I wore this one out on vinyl.It just shows you that
a good compilation album can turn a casual fan into
a fanatic.

norrie

[drjohncarpenter]

What's your choice?

Mine! I created a two-disc distillation that hits every mark.

[drjohncarpenter]

Do you have a PayPal account?

[KingOfTheJungle]

On the list, I'd vote for Artist of the century, but personally I have been compiling a set of my own with a disc from each "era" using live tracks, outtakes, and studio masters to best paint a portrait of Elvis as an artist during each time period. The first disc of the set is probably my favorite Elvis listening experience ever. If anybody has alot of time on their hands and feels like compiling it, it goes like this:

1. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Alternate Version)
2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
3. Good Rockin' Tonight
4. That's All Right (Hayride 10/16/54)
5. Milkcow Blues Boogie
6. Fool, Fool, Fool (Lubbock Acetate)
7. Shake, Rattle and Roll (Lubbock Acetate)
8. Hearts Of Stone (Hayride)
9. Baby Let's Play House
10. I'm Left, Your Right, She's Gone
11. I Got A Woman (Eagle's Hall)
12. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
13. Mystery Train
14. Trying To Get To You
15. Maybelline (Hayride)
16. Heartbreak Hotel
17. My Baby Left Me
18. So Glad You're Mine
19. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Takes 11&12)
20. Money Honey (Dorsey Brothers)
21. Hound Dog (Milton Berle)
22. Don't Be Cruel
23. Anyway You Want Me
24. Too Much
25. Reddy Teddy (Ed Sullivan)

[James27]

Wow, looks like a pretty good tracklist!...

Well, Artist of The Century takes the cake by far!
I must say I agree with that choice.

[midnightx]

On the list, I'd vote for Artist of the century, but personally I have been compiling a set of my own with a disc from each "era" using live tracks, outtakes, and studio masters to best paint a portrait of Elvis as an artist during each time period. The first disc of the set is probably my favorite Elvis listening experience ever. If anybody has alot of time on their hands and feels like compiling it, it goes like this:

1. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Alternate Version)
2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
3. Good Rockin' Tonight
4. That's All Right (Hayride 10/16/54)
5. Milkcow Blues Boogie
6. Fool, Fool, Fool (Lubbock Acetate)
7. Shake, Rattle and Roll (Lubbock Acetate)
8. Hearts Of Stone (Hayride)
9. Baby Let's Play House
10. I'm Left, Your Right, She's Gone
11. I Got A Woman (Eagle's Hall)
12. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
13. Mystery Train
14. Trying To Get To You
15. Maybelline (Hayride)
16. Heartbreak Hotel
17. My Baby Left Me
18. So Glad You're Mine
19. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Takes 11&12)
20. Money Honey (Dorsey Brothers)
21. Hound Dog (Milton Berle)
22. Don't Be Cruel
23. Anyway You Want Me
24. Too Much
25. Reddy Teddy (Ed Sullivan)

Disc one looks good.

[cartoonland]

Do you have a PayPal account?

OK, I'll bite- and I have a Paypal account.
How much you looking for there, Doc?

[drjohncarpenter]

Do you have a PayPal account?

OK, I'll bite- and I have a Paypal account.
How much you looking for there, Doc?

Oh, what the heck, I'll post it on a new topic.