Elvis: Close Up

This set is along the same lines as the "Today, Tomorrow, and Forever" box set; collect a bunch of previously unreleased studio outtakes and live performances and put them out. While I thought "Today, Tomorrow, and Forever" was a worthwhile project, this one borders on being superfluous. I enjoyed the alternate takes of "I Beg of You" and "Treat Me Nice". I thought the most entertaining CD was the second one with the alternate takes from the GI Blues movie soundtrack, but I found the number of false starts in this set annoying. The live performance on the last CD is good, but not remarkable (otherwise it would have been released before).

There are a few tracks in this set that are interesting, but I am not sure it is enough to justify a box set. This is for hardcore Elvis fans only, even then if you have "Today, Tomorrow, and Forever" I'm not sure that this set really adds anything to your collection.

Elvis Presley fans will find diminishing returns in yet another RCA box set. "Close Up" offers more outtakes from the 1950s and '60, but nothing revelatory except for the gospel classics. However, the previously unreleased 1972 concert is worth a listen, with memorable versions of "Burning Love" and "How Great Thou Art." Though a relatively good investment for under $20, it's not an essential purchase.

I'm glad I only paid $27 for this box set at BMG Music Service,that's about all it's worth.The 1st 3 discs are just alternate versions of 50's and 60's songs.The 4th CD is a complete San Antonio concert from 1972 but the sound quality isn't up to par.I can see why RCA never released it on a album.TCB.

I LOVE THE WAY ELVIS DID EACH & EVERYONE OF HIS MOVIES,RECORDINGS.HE WAS A WONDERFUL SINGER,& MUSICIAN,WRITER.I FEEL HE WAS A VERY SPIRITUAL SINGER,MAN,SON & HUSBAND,DAD.IT'S SO SAD HOW HE CHOSE TO DIE.HE'LL BE LOVED,REMEMBERED FOREVER BY ALL OF US WHO WERE RAISED ON HIS SONGS,MOVIES &,LISTENING TO ALL OF HIS SONGS.I WISH THOSE ELVIS FANS WHO CLAIM TO SEE HIM WOULD STOP & ALLOW HIM TO REST IN PEACE.LYING IS LYING,FANTASIZING IS CRAZY WHEN ONE GETS SO CARRIED AWAY THAT THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE HE'S ALIVE.HE IS ALIVE IN HIS MUSIC,MOVIES,IN OUR HEARTS,& IN OUR MINDS.MY FAVORITES ARE "BLUE HAWAII","DADDY,PLEASE DON'T CRY",& HIS "G.I.BLUES" HITS,ALONG WITH HIS GOSPEL SONGS.BEING ABLE TO LISTEN TO HIS HITS ON THE COMPUTER IS WONDERFUL.HE WAS A MARVELOUS MAN,& SINGER.I'M SURE HE'S SINGING FOR OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,& HIS SON-JESUS,& ALL OF THEIR ANGELS.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO EXPRESS MY OPINION OF THESE ELVIS HITS.TO BE AN ELVIS PRESLEY FAN,ADMIRER IS ONE GOOD THING TO BE,BUT NOT GO OVER BOARD.
LESLIE

Wow - how many takes did Elvis do? Hey, I dig most of what I've heard of these latecomers. On this package the must-hears on CD #1, "Stereo Masters From the '50s", are the long version of "Jailhouse Rock" (the original single version presented in binaural - terrible on headphones, with the unnatural separation); and the completely unissued "(You're So Sqare) Baby, I Don't Care", a much different vocal from the well-known classic, displaying his incredible vocal flexibility and imagination. With almost complete vocal isolation we hear Presley in the most intimate way possible on these "stereo" tracks - "Young And Beautiful" becomes the ultimate Elvis valentine.
From "Unreleased Movie Gems", all four of the ballads from "Wild In The Country", particularly the originally unused "Forget Me Never", are stunning. The new softer ballad style, developped by Elvis and Charlie Hodge in Europe, works perfectly here. "Moonlight Swim" from "Blue Hawaii" is another work of art - the Dean Martin feel is a little more to the fore.
CD# 3, "The Magic Of Nashville", highlights the gospel "Working On The Building" - although Elvis defers to his august complement, the effect is mesmerizing, from the beautiful lone guitar introduction to the conclusion. "That's Someone You Never Forget" is magical alright: this impressive personal statement should be heard by all Music Appreciation students. First heard as a '62 album cut, then a '67 flipside, it got kind of lost. It seems that Grammy Awards at the time related only to full albums or A-sides. (Maybe in '03/'04 a new category can apply to this miraculous performance). The '66 gospel song "Somebody Bigger Than You And I" is splendidly mixed - the blend of Elvis' solemn low voice with the singers and musicians is an example for all engineers. The heart ballad "Mine" has a classical touch and Elvis does a fine job, but the middle-section lacks somethings and the song never reaches an emotional peak. This take is close to the first released take. It's one of many from the movie period which I feel warranted later reworking.
"Live In Texas 1972", apparently from the "Elvis On Tour" movie shows, has just two standouts - a "Burning Love" that *burns* and an astonishing "American Trilogy". It appears that this is the same effort also filmed which captures devastated patrons expressing their excitement and interest. Presley was so powerful on stage that a non-romantic theme could also provoke sustained screams.
A bold offer such as "Close Up" can also reveal certain artistic dilemmas. On the previously mentioned title tune from "Wild In The County" Elvis attempts the middle-eight a la Mario Lanza and he nails it...but then his breath gives out. Or he and others in attendance realize that this approach would be problematic on this soft statement. The recorded result is the less satsifying gentle falsetto which does not really support the song title with the word "wild". Big El went for many big notes in his career and it's too bad he didn't go back and try again. There's a few more items which make us wonder why he didn't apply his full voice to the number. The Adult Contemporary/Beat Ballad if-you-will "Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello" is certainly melodious but another case-in-point: the vocal bridge would have been more effective with dramatic fortisimo. Perhaps the leap from quiet in the verse to loud in the vocal bridge would have been awkward but if you refer to several takes of "Surrender" (a very strong rendition found here) you wonder why he chose to croon so often during this period. Ofcourse it still is a notable B-side.
Terrific notes and rare photos are included. "Elvis: Close Up". In the words of his buddy Tom Jones..."Get 'Closer'": RCA/BMG, keep 'em comin'!