Elvis Presley - Collectors Gold (50 tracks) +Album Reviews

Valuable for many reasons

E. Lambeth | Paso Robles, CA USA | 12/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a huge fan of Elvis' music. I've got quite a collection of his stuff from the 50s through the 70s, and I can vouch for the quality of music throughout the period in which he recorded his music. Most comp CD's are a waste of time and money, but this one is quite an exception. The mark of a good CD or collection is the amount of use it gets over a long period of time, and for its diversity, it should get plenty of wear. The Hollywood CD will contain songs that you won't find on most other albums. Big Boots, Pocketful of Rainbows, a slower version of Girl Happy, Black Star, I Slipped, Stumbled and Fell...great songs from a variety of his movies. The booklet has a nice write up of each CD. The Nashville CD has some great songs as well..and some outtakes you'll enjoy. It gives you a fresh perspective of Elvis that's unfamiliar on a lot of his "Best Of" collections. Witchcraft, Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello, How Can you lose What You Never Had, the beautiful balad Love Letters, and many others make this CD and excellent collection. The Vegas CD has some interesting cuts...most notably, "Are You Lonesome Tonight", which has Elvis absolutely Losing It after lampooning one of the lines of the song. "Do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair" (Instead of "Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there"). I mean, he goes into hysterics...and when he tries to stop, it gets even worse. The background singers are still singing away, and Elvis is just cracking up...and when you listen to it, you'll be cracking up as well. I'm usually not much of a fan of the concert stuff, but this CD's pretty good...and again, Are You Lonesome Tonight makes the CD worth it.Combined, the three CD set makes a great collection. It doesn't cover the 50's or the 70's, but it doesn't claim to. If you dig the King or know someone who does that doesn't have this collection, get it. It's a winner."

Worth It For The Vegas Disk Alone

Daniel Ahern | Berkeley Heights, New Jersey USA | 07/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This now hard to find Presley collection is absolutely true to it's title. "Collector's Gold," is a goldmine of rare material for the serious Elvis collector. I can't say enough about Disc Three, which includes highlights from his 1969 run at the International Hotel in Vegas. Not only does it include the infamous laughing version of, "Are You Lonesome Tonight?," but also, cuts you simply would never find on another Vegas release (Rubber Neckin', Inherit The Wind, and This is the Story...I rest my case). Mix this disc with the original '69 Vegas release, and you've got one helluva comp. As far as the other two discs, they include alternate takes of Elvis' 60s material (Hollywood on Disc One and Nashville on Disc Two). The one complaint I do have about the set is that there's only an average of about 45 minutes on each disc. However, they weren't loading discs with 76 minutes of stuff back when this was released in 1991. Other than that minor quibble, I believe, "Collector's Gold," to be an exemplary set."

Elvis's finest!

A Music Fan | 06/13/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is often said that Elvis's soundtracks do not amount to much. Well, this collection came to prove it otherwise. The first cd, with alternate versions of some of Elvis's film tunes show what a great musician he was and how a song did not have to be much of anything for Elvis to turn it into a masterpiece. The second one focus on the early studio recordings of the 60s. Excellent versions of excellent and average songs, but Elvis delivers them with real talent and a very soft, soothing voice. The third is the best: Elvis live in Vegas, in 1969. It is pure rock'n'roll, even when it's not! Some of Elvis's best live recordings ever are here, despite what his detractors would say. Elvis was in great shape, both physically and musically, and in here he sets the line between the king and the contenders. Whether you're an Elvis collector or simply someone who would like to have some of Elvis's best without having to purchase tons of boxes and cds, this is certainly your best go. Gold indeed!"

4 1/2 Stars: Lots of Rarities

A Music Fan | Forest Park, GA USA | 03/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With 47 previously unreleased performances this really is essential Elvis Presley from beginning to end. The only live version of 'Rubberneckin' is here, along with other gems such as 'This Is The Story,' 'Inherit The Wind' & 'Reconsider Baby.' The hard-to-find 'Are You Lonesome Tonight (laughing version)' is also here and sounds great within the context of such a dynamite live show. Elvis even sings "Happy Birthday" to James Burton. - shopelvis australia

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'Collector's Gold' was the first time that Ernst & Co had scoured the Elvis vaults to compile a set of undiscovered gems for a mainstream release.

All the CDs were themed (which is why 'Elvis : Close Up' works so well) and, after the few & far between outtakes we had been getting over the years, 'Collector's Gold' really was a treasure chest of Elvis goodies.

The 'Hollywood' CD stuns, from the first very different version of 'G.I Blues' to the rare 'How Can You Lose What You Never Had.' The longer 'movie' version of 'One Broken Heart For Sale' was released here for the first time and the Elvis solo version of 'Lonely Man' is astounding. The brilliant 'So Close Yet So Far' take 4, is still unavailable anywhere else, even on the new 'Harum Scarum' extended FTD.

The 'Nashville' CD is one of the best selections ever released, featuring eight "first takes" and showing Elvis at his 60's creative best. The dynamite blues of the unreleased take of 'Give Me The Right' is worth the price of admission alone but tracks like 'Like A Baby,' 'Memphis Tennessee' (Jungle 1963 version) & 'Love Letters' are also revelations. All these help demonstrate how Elvis was producing some astounding material while The Colonel pushed the lackluster movie soundtracks.

However it is the 'Las Vegas' 1969 CD that is the real stunner featuring a collection of fabulous rarities. The only live version of 'Rubberneckin'' is here, along with other gems such as 'This Is The Story,' 'Inherit The Wind' & 'Reconsider Baby.' Elvis introduces Del Shannon (who is in the audience) during his performance of Del's 'Runaway.' While 'TTWII' captured Elvis at his 'professional' best, this Las Vegas CD shows the power of Elvis, unleashed and ready to re-conquer the world!

Disappointingly, this set has been deleted by BMG. Grab it if you get a chance. - Daveyboy

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The Title Says It All

Glenn Nippert | Alpharetta, Georgia United States | 03/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an essential 3 CD set for any serious Elvis collector.
For some reason, it seems to be out of print, but can of course can be found online. It contains rare outtakes from his movies and a great concert that features his famous "laughing version" of "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" that cracks me up every time and is actually one of my favorite Elvis moments. He does "Runaway" in his concert and then introduces Del Shannon in the audience. He does a lot of songs he never usually did live like "Mystery Train", "Rubberneckin", "Aint it Funny How Time Slips Away" and "Inherit the Wind". His duet with Ann Margaret "You're The Boss" was a famous deleted track from their "Viva Las Vegas" movie and can usually only be found on big expensive box sets. Needless to say, there is nothing here for the casual listener, this one is strictly for the hardcore Elvis completionist fan."

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