‘A Date With Elvis’ was originally released in July 1959 during Elvis Presley’s second year in the army. His label at the time, RCA Victor, was worried about the impact that being drafted would have on Presley’s career so they scoured the archives for material that had been shelved during recording sessions or only made available on 7” singles. ‘A Date With Elvis’ is one of three compilations released by the label to keep Presley in the public eye while he wasn’t able to get out and play shows.
Pressed onto 180-gram audiophile vinyl, this new release features a deluxe gatefold sleeve with linen laminate finish making it feel extra special. Limited to 2,500 individually numbered copied on green vinyl, the package includes photos of Elvis doing his military service on the inside of the gatefold. The album features 10 songs that were recorded between 1954 and 1957, including some from sessions at Sun Studio in Memphis.
Clocking in at less than 30 minutes, ‘A Date With Elvis’ is a collection of material that showcases the icon’s signature style. Opening with the Bill Monroe-written ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’, it’s not hard to understand why Presley’s label opted to use this release approach while the star was unable to perform. The minute you hear his voice, you don’t really notice the quality of the song (not that the quality here is poor by any means). ‘Young and Beautiful’ leans into Presley’s crooner side, allowing his trademark vibrato to ring clearly and he sounds fantastic.
The tempo picks up again with the rock’n’roll of ‘(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care’, a song that easily slides in alongside some of Presley’s best songs. The unusually-named ‘Milkcow Blues Boogie’ is a rollicking fun time while ‘Baby Let’s Play House’, the final song on Side A injects a little Country into the mix. Side B starts with the toe-tapping “Good Rockin’ Tonight”, penned by Roy Brown, before the crooner returns on the swoonsome ‘Is It So Strange’; Presley really could sell the hell out of a ballad couldn’t he?
“We’re Gonna Move” credits Presley as one of the writers, alongside Vera Matson, and it’s a fairly simple song that moves around an acoustic melody. ‘I Want To Be Free’, one of the best songs here, is a rare moment of Presley letting loose with his voice sounding grittier than on the rest of the material here. The final song is the playfully titled ‘I Forgot To Remember To Forget’. Presley’s voice rings loud and clear on this gorgeous new pressing and it’s a perfect end to an album that breezes by all too quickly.
‘A Date With Elvis’ is certainly an album that would never have happened had Presley not been drafted but honestly the music on here stands up with the rest of his extensive catalogue. Fans of The King will happily add this to their collection and I’d recommend those that are partial to Presley, but who never venture off the beaten track of hits, pick this up and hear some of his lesser-known material. Music On Vinyl continues to honour Presley with these thoughtful and well-produced releases, and they are truly a wonderful gift for fans.
Track list: Side A – 1. Blue Moon of Kentucky 2. Young and Beautiful 3. (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care 4. Milkcow Blues Boogie 5. Baby Let’s Play House Side B – 1. Good Rockin’ Tonight 2. Is It So Strange 3. We’re Gonna Move 4. I Want To Be Free 5. I Forgot To Remember To Forget Record label: Music On Vinyl Release date: 15th August 2025 Buy ‘A Date With Elvis’ now
