Review #78: The Sun Sessions, Elvis Presley
#78: The Sun Sessions, Elvis Presley
Okay, so this album was released in 1976, but it’s a collection of songs that Elvis recorded at Sun Studios from 1954 through 1955. So not technically a greatest hits album, but definitely a compilation album. More on that to follow.
Isn’t it crazy that people were so outraged about Elvis once? Elvis was one of the first white artists to take the historically Black blues sound and make it big, which justifiably pissed a lot of people off. It’s a little wild to consider now that white blues artists are a dime a dozen. I wonder how The Past would have felt about Eminem.
Fun fact, Elvis asked if he could be an FBI informant. I’ve also repeatedly asked to be an FBI informant, but for some reason all I’m getting are cease-and-desist letters.
FAVORITE SONGS:
“That’s All Right” — This is my favorite one on this album. Love when he goes Mamaaaaaa. Happy Mother’s Day!
“Blue Moon of Kentucky” — I love his lower register. Patsy Cline covers this later.
“I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine” — But I love his falsetto too! Elvis had range!
“Good Rockin’ Tonight” — I feel like I’ve heard this guitar solo many times over.
“Milkman Blue Boogie” — If you SEEn my milkcow/ BRINg my baby back home.
“You’re a Heartbreaker” — Tell me who broke Elvis’ heart! I don’t care how old she is, I’ll bring her to justice!
“I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone” — Oh I just love a good pun. (Don’t tell my boyfriend that.)
“Baby, Let’s Play House” — The part where the bass walks down out of time. Give me more of that.
“I Forgot to Remember to Forget” — There’s still time to remember to forget!
“I Love You Because” — Elvis paved the way for 1D’s “What Makes You Beautiful.”
“Just Because” — I don’t love love songs but I love spurned love songs.
LEAST FAVORITE SONGS:
“Mystery Train” — Maybe I’m just getting sick of songs about trains.
IS RS FULL OF IT?
Of course, this album is a blast but, to be honest, I’m not sure why this one is Top 100 and his debut album, Elvis Presley, is #332. What about his cover of Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes”? His cover of Little Richards’ “Tutti Frutti”?
I’m calling this out as the pretentious nonsense choice it is. This is RS holding court in the middle school cafeteria and trying to prove that they know more than other people. Oh well did you know that Elvis actually recorded all his best music in Sun Studios and anything that doesn’t prove my point doesn’t count? Debut album deserves this spot, end of story.
