Originally released in 1996, ‘Elvis 56’ is a compilation of studio master recordings made by the legendary Elvis Presley in 1956. With sessions in Nashville, New York and Hollywood, the record documents Elvis’ first year with record label RCA. Nearly 70 years on from the recordings, Music On Vinyl has released ‘Elvis 56’ Collector’s Edition on vinyl, with only 2000 individually numbered copies available.
‘Elvis 56’ features 22 of Elvis’ tracks and many of them will be instantly familiar to fans both dedicated and casual alike. Side A kicks off with the iconic ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, just one of the many number ones included on the record. Across the 12-tracks on the first side are some true classics such as ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, ‘Tutti Frutti’, ‘Too Much’ and ‘Hound Dog’. There isn’t a single filler track, with each one showcasing a different side to the supremely talented legend.
Side B includes alternate takes of ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ and ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, nestled in amongst great songs such as “Don’t Be Cruel”, ‘Rip It Up, ‘I Got a Woman’ and ‘Money Honey’. It’s testament to the talent of Elvis that there isn’t a single skip across the 22 tracks included here, a timely reminder that artists used to pay a lot more attention to their artistry than they do now as the album has become ever more elusive. It’s remarkable to think that all of the songs here were recorded in the same year!
‘Elvis 56’ serves as a celebration of one of the greatest musical talents the world has ever seen. His versatility shines through these songs whether he’s pushing his voice on ballads like ‘I Want You, I Need You, I Love You’ or expressing himself more loosely on the timeless rock’n’roll of ‘Ready Teddy’. He was one of those rare artists who could impress with a deep cut as easily as he could with one of his signature tunes.
This Collector’s Edition is pressed on limited edition 180-gram blue vinyl and it comes packaged with a 4-page booklet. The booklet features stunning black-and-white photos of Elvis along with a timeline showing the chronology of the ‘Elvis 56’ recordings. The record is housed in a picture sleeve and a gatefold cover, both of which contain more photos of the King from the time.
Music On Vinyl has rightly built a reputation for their quality releases and ‘Elvis 56’ is a shining example. Not only does it look beautiful but the sound quality is superb. Given how old these songs are, they sound crystal clear, with a clarity that fans have likely never heard before. The 18-gram pressing really brings each of the songs to life, adding a deeper dimension to these familiar classics.
‘Elvis 56’ Collector’s Edition is a must-have addition to the collection of any Elvis Presley fan. The songs contained on this release rank among some of the best the star ever recorded and they’ve never sounded better than they do on this 180-gram vinyl release. If you’re looking for a collection of the King’s finest work but don’t necessarily want a Greatest Hits, ‘Elvis 56’ is just the ticket.
Released by: Music On Vinyl Release date: 24th January 2025 Buy ‘Elvis 56’ Collector’s Edition now
