This compilation, released in 2000, does not contain every performance by Elvis Presley on Shreveport, Louisiana's renowned live "hillbilly music" radio show, KWKH's Louisiana Hayride, where he was contracted to appear for about 2 years, from late 1954 to around the end of 1956. The station simply did not transcribe and save everything, but fortunately a good number of Elvis' performances have been preserved, and all of these surviving recordings (some of which are on scratchy acetates which cannot be brought up to "standard" by even the best equipment) are contained in this package.
Since Presely never performed on Alan Freed's live Camel Rock 'N' Roll Dance Party radio show, these pieces, ironically sponsored by rival Lucky Strike cigarettes, make excellent contemporary companions to any collection of cuts derived from the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service transcriptions of the Freed show.
This set is more than a mere compilation of songs performed by Elvis on the Hayride. Announcer Frank Page, a Hayride veteran, tells the story of this period, interweaving the songs with his recollections of the development of the "Hillbilly Cat's" early career.
As noted above, the sound quality varies. The package contains extensive liner notes with plenty of pictures of "early Elvis."
Reasonably priced at around $10, but not easy to find, this is a worthwhile acquisition if you can locate a copy.
Dates shown below are performance dates.
Track List:
Disc 1 -
1. That's All Right, Mama - 16 Oct 1954
2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky - 16 Oct 1954
3. Hearts Of Stone - 15 Jan 1955
4. That's All Right, Mama - 15 Jan 1955
5. Tweedlee Dee - 22 Jan 1955
6. Money, Honey - 22 Jan 1955
7. Blue Moon Of Kentucky - 22 Jan 1955
8. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine - 22 Jan 1955
9. That's All Right, Mama - 22 Jan 1955
Disc 2 -
1. Good Rockin' Tonight - 19 Apr 1955
2. I Got A Woman - 19 Apr 1955
3. Tweedlee Dee - 30 Apr 1955
4. I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - 15 Jul 1955
5. Baby, Let's Play House - 20 Aug 1955
6. Maybelline - 20 Aug 1955
7. That's All Right, Mama - 20 Aug 1955
8. I Was The One - 15 Dec 1956
9. Love Me Tender - 15 Dec 1956
10. Hound Dog - 15 Dec 1956
11. "Elvis Has Left The Building" - 15 Dec 1956
