The music world came to a complete stop on December 20, 1958 when Elvis Presley received his draft notice. While he would have ten hit single releases during his time in the United States Army and his albums would sell millions of copies, it wasn\u2019t the same for his huge fan base. All was right with the world again on March 5, 1960 when he received his honorable discharge.<\/p>\n
Elvis would quickly return to the recording studio after his release to record a new album and some singles. This was during the period when Elvis\u2019 singles were not included on his studio albums. They had a life of their own and the only way to own the music at the time was to purchase those little 7\u201d 45\u2019s. During the next 12 months, Elvis would record 80 songs.<\/p>\n
RCA Legacy has now issued a two CD set, which covers this period of time. It combines 1960\u2019s Elvis Is Back <\/i>and 1961\u2019s Something <\/i>For Everybody <\/i>with 12 of his single releases. While his material has been released in just about every way and format possible, this release is an excellent document of his early post army career. The sound is pristine and the accompanying booklet and essay is an excellent chronicle of the era and his music.<\/p>\n
Disc one begins with his Elvis Is Back <\/i>album. It catches Elvis at an early crossroads of his career. Before his stint in the army, he had been an all-out rock \u2018n\u2019 roller, but now he was moving in a more pop\/rock direction, which would dominate the rest of his career. His voice was a bit lower and had matured, which fit his new style well.<\/p>\n
The album combines such pop covers, \u201cFever\u201d and \u201cSoldier Boy\u201d with some classic Elvis performances including \u201cSuch A Night,\u201d \u201cIt Feels So Right,\u201d and \u201cReconsider Baby.\u201d It is an album that hangs together well as the sum is better than its very good parts.<\/p>\n
The first disc ends with seven singles from the era, led by four number ones; the rocking \u201cStuck On You,\u201d the eternal ballad \u201cAre You Lonesome Tonight,\u201d one of his best pop creations, \u201cIt\u2019s Now Or Never,\u201d and the underrated \u201cSurrender.\u201d<\/p>\n
Disc two begins with his 1961, number one album, Something For Everybody. <\/i>While the quality may be a little below its predecessor, there is still a lot to like here. \u201cI Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell,\u201d \u201cJody,\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s Always Me,\u201d and \u201cSentimental Me\u201d are all fine performances. <\/p>\n
Five more of his singles are added at the end. The highlights are \u201c(Marie\u2019s The Name) His Latest Flame,\u201d \u201cLittle Sister,\u201dand \u201cGood Luck Charm,\u201d which remain memorable parts of his vast catalogue. <\/p>\n