Elvis At The Movies

Performer: Elvis Presley
Producer: Roger Sermon (Compilation); Ernst Mikael Jorgensen (Compilation)
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Though much has been made of the notion that Elvis's success as a matinee idol put the last nail in the coffin of his rock-&-roll rebel status, ELVIS AT THE MOVIES threatens to put the lie to that theory. Listening to this collection of tunes that sprang from the King's films, it's striking to realize how many of his most popular tracks had a big-screen background. The quintessential Elvis ballad "Love Me Tender," the Big House barnstormer "Jailhouse Rock," the kitsch classic "Viva Las Vegas"--they all made their home in the cinema. Of course, this 40-track compendium is dominated by more obscure tunes. The casual Elvis admirer isn't likely to be familiar with the bongo-driven beach-pop of "Do the Clam" or "Charro," which combines spaghetti-western sounds with psychedelic-cowboy lyrics about "standing alone at the crossroads of your mind." At the same time, esoteric soul-tinged cuts like "Clean Up Your Own Backyard" illuminate an underexposed corner of the Elvis catalog, making ELVIS AT THE MOVIES all the more valuable.

"Before Elvis, there was nothing," John Lennon once said. An overstatement, of course, but Elvis Presley's ascendance to superstardom in the mid-1950s kicked off a musical and social revolution whose impact has yet to abate. After the charming young man from Tupelo, Mississippi was discovered by Sun Records honcho Sam Phillips, the wise studio owner took Presley under his wing, leading to the landmark recording of his first single, "That's All Right (Mama)." The rest, of course, is well-documented history, with Elvis going on to conquer the pop charts, the box office, and beyond. He truly was the King, and his blend of country, pop, and R&B became the cornerstone of rock & roll.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25