Today’s post was originally scheduled to be the conclusion of my coverage of Elvis Sings Guitar Man. Sony made a huge Elvis announcement today, though, so I’m shelving that piece for now.
Arriving on September 27 from Sony’s RCA/Legacy label, Young Man With The Big Beat features a plethora of 1956 material. For die-hard fans, the crown jewel of the 5-CD boxed set is the first-ever release of Elvis’ December 15, 1956, concert that marked the singer’s final appearance on the Louisiana Hayride radio program.
Only a portion of one song, “Hound Dog,” has been released from this show in the past. Based on that one song alone, I can tell you that we’re all in for one exciting ride.
The set can be pre-ordered at http://www.elvis.com/1956. From the press release, here is some additional information on a pre-order bonus:
Pre-order customers will also receive an exclusive replica vinyl 7” of Elvis’ first 45rpm EP for RCA Records. Sharing the same striking cover art as Elvis’ debut album, the EP features “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Tutti Frutti,” “I Got A Woman” and “Just Because.” This vinyl single is only available through this special website offer, and it will ship upon payment for the box set.”
Released the same day will be the Sony Legacy edition of Elvis Presley, which will be paired with Elvis.
Below is a full break-down of the Young Man With The Big Beat set, adapted from the press release and marketing material.
Disc 1: Studio Recordings
17 tracks recorded in New York, Nashville, and Hollywood, starting with the 12 songs on the debut LP, Elvis Presley (‘1254’), followed by non-LP single A-sides and B-sides, and EP tracks.
- Blue Suede Shoes
- I’m Counting On You
- I Got A Woman
- One-Sided Love Affair
- I Love You Because
- Just Because
- Tutti Frutti
- Trying To Get To You
- I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)
- I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)
- Blue Moon
- Money Honey
- Heartbreak Hotel
- I Was The One
- My Baby Left Me
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
- Shake, Rattle And Roll
Disc 2: Studio Recordings
22 tracks recorded in New York, Nashville, and Memphis, starting with the 12 songs on the second LP, Elvis (‘1382’), followed by non-LP single A-sides and B-sides, and EP tracks.
- Rip It Up
- Love Me
- When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
- Long Tall Sally
- First In Line
- Paralyzed
- So Glad You’re Mine
- Old Shep
- Ready Teddy
- Anyplace Is Paradise
- How’s The World Treating You
- How Do You Think I Feel
- I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
- Hound Dog
- Don’t Be Cruel
- Any Way You Want Me (That’s How I Will Be)
- Too Much
- Playing For Keeps
- Love Me Tender
- Let Me
- Poor Boy
- We’re Gonna Move
Disc 3: Live Recordings
Rare remasters of shows at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas (four songs); Little Rock, Arkansas (seven songs); and a recently discovered, previously unreleased concert in Shreveport, Louisiana, in December (ten songs).
Recorded Live At The Venus Room, Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, May 6
1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. Long Tall Sally
3. Blue Suede Shoes
4. Money Honey
Recorded Live At The Robinson Memorial Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas, May 16
5. Heartbreak Hotel
6. Long Tall Sally
7. I Was The One
8. Money Honey
9. I Got A Woman
10. Blue Suede Shoes
11. Hound Dog
Recorded Live At The Hirsch Youth Center, Louisiana Fairgrounds, Shreveport, Louisiana, December 15
12. Heartbreak Hotel
13. Long Tall Sally
14. I Was The One
15. Love Me Tender
16. Don’t Be Cruel
17. Love Me
18. I Got A Woman
19. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
20. Paralyzed
21. Hound Dog
Disc 4: Outtakes
Four outtakes from the first historic RCA session in January (“I Got A Woman,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “I’m Counting On You,” “I Was The One”), segueing into the complete session of February 3rd (11 takes of “Lawdy, Miss Clawdy” and 12 takes of “Shake, Rattle And Roll”); plus the first of the interviews – the complete Warwick Hotel (NYC) interview by Robert Brown in March.
- I Got A Woman – take unknown
- Heartbreak Hotel – take 06
- I’m Counting On You – take 13
- I Was The One – take 02
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 01
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 03
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 04
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 05
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 06
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – takes 07, 08, 09
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – take 10 (master)
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – takes 11, 12
- Shake, Rattle And Roll – takes 01, 02
- Shake, Rattle And Roll – takes 03, 05, 06, 07
- Shake, Rattle And Roll – take 08
- Shake, Rattle And Roll – takes 09, 10, 11, 12, 12 (undubbed master)
- The Complete Warwick Hotel Interview
Disc 5: Interviews
The Paul Wilder interview, plus his interviews with Colonel Parker and Oscar Davis; plus two segments of Elvis’ rarely heard candid monologue, “The Truth About Me,” and two advertisements for RCA Victrolas.
- The Complete TV Guide Presents Elvis interview
- Colonel Parker Interview
- The Truth About Me
- The Truth About Me Interview
- Victrola Radio ad 1
- Victrola Radio ad 2
Book
The focal point of the book, spread across its 80 pages, will be a unique, meticulously-researched, day-by-day chronology of Elvis’ iconic year, including every concert, every recording date, every television appearance, personal events in Elvis’ life, and much more. A dazzling photo array of memorabilia will illustrate each day and entry. Concert ticket stubs, RCA memoranda, letters from fans, postcards from Elvis to his family, tour itineraries, magazine covers and articles, trade charts, fan club relics, RCA publicity photos, concert photos, candid photos, and more will be a feast for the eyes and the imagination as 1956 unfolds.
Other Items
Will also include five rare 8×10 photographs, five original-size poster replicas, and a replica concert ticket stub.
* * *
I’ve lamented the seemingly constant focus on 1956 in the past. However, Elvis’ achievements in that year certainly cannot be overstated. This looks like a spectacular release, and the best part is that it’s on the mainstream label. This will certainly capture the attention of music critics and fans alike.
It wouldn’t be an Elvis boxed set without the inclusion of those four songs recorded live in Las Vegas on May 6, 1956, now would it? Those same performances, tracks 1-4 on Disc 3, have appeared on the following Elvis boxed sets:
- Elvis Aron Presley
- ELVIS: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – The Complete 50s Masters
- Live In Las Vegas
You are sure right, gigantic box set. Just ordered it.
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That’s great! I’m still on the fence about ordering it. No doubt it is an incredible set. I’ve been trying to save for Sony’s Complete Elvis Presley Masters Collection, though, and this release might take too much out of my Elvis fund. On the other hand, I definitely want to purchase the Hayride concert. I’m hoping those tracks will be available for legal download through iTunes, Amazon, or some place like that.
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I got the complete masters so have blown my Elvis budget, I’ve been trying to ignore this one
but now I desperately want it
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An Elvis habit is hard to break. What were your thoughts on the Complete Masters?
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funny story – it was so expensive that I never mentioned it to my spouse, who went and joined Elvis forums – and she bought me a first pressing for xmas – but then I was trash talking it (because I was bitter at knowing I wasn’t getting one) so she returned it. then told me. my jaw dropped and she realized why I was trashing it – so now I have a second pressing, which means more to me than having a first pressing!
it’zs an amazing package, the book is excellent and the sound is great – especially on the SUN tracks – the demo discs especially.
my only quibble is that I would have rather had Elvis on the discs, not equipment, but I get that they wanted an arthouse feel.
When I stay home from work, I just play one disc after the next – it’s a real different take on teh Elvis catolog hearing it in order rather than as released.
I am blown away by him all over again
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What a great story! Thanks for sharing that here, Random. I’m glad you’re enjoying the set. Folks, be sure to check out Random’s Elvis posts on her blog: http://ntrygg.wordpress.com/elvis-index/.
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