The packaging
The good
A nice photo graces the cover and the inside has several more. I’m not sure if they’re “rare” necessarily, but they’re not the most familiar images of Elvis out there. The package itself is an attractive digipak that's put together nicely.
The bad
There is not nearly enough information on here. Since many casual and non-Elvis fans will probably buy this, they really should’ve included some history of the recording, why it was improved, how it was improved, and more information on the band. It’s not like they went skimpy with the packaging...it’s a well done, two fold digipak...they should’ve shrunk or eliminated some photos and given us more information.
The music
The good
Well, a little background is in order...hopefully this will accurate but if I make some mistakes, I apologize. There was a radio show down in Shreveport called “The Louisiana Hayride” which featured Elvis playing live a few times. The problem with it is that very few mics (I’ve heard it was only one) were set up so mainly you get a prominent vocal track with some rather poorly recorded music.
I don’t quite get copyright laws, but for whatever reason the person who owns this is not affiliated with BMG or Elvis Presley Enterprises...since this gentleman owns the tapes, and he alone decides who gets to put it out and from what I understand he’s fairly reasonable if the project seems worthwhile. Many of the Elvis early live CDs, specifically the budget priced albums, are from the Louisiana Hayride
A few years back a disc came out called “Roots Revolution” that featured Elvis’ vocals track with rerecorded music...the musicians on that disc took great to care to play exactly the same music that was played back in the late 50s, same style, nothing added, no twists, even similar instruments and microphones were used to give it an authentic feel.
And then there was this...”Good Rockin’ Tonight” put out on Rock-A-Billy Records in 2004. The backing band features Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom who you may recognize from The Stray Cats as well as Danny Harvey of The Swing Cats. These gentlemen have decided to do something in the same vein as “Roots Revolution” except they put their own spin on it...the music on this disc is not what this would’ve sounded like fifty years ago.
The sound of this is pretty predictable actually...it sounds like modern day rockabilly guys playing Elvis songs. A sort of reverse karaoke. Elvis sounds great, some would say he was in his prime...they did an excellent job of eliminating all the static and tape hiss the plague the regular Hayride releases, so the sound is very solid. Some of the audience noise is still present at points when they got loud but I don't think that could have been eliminated...it is not frequent so it really isn't distracting.
There were numerous Hayride sessions and the six songs on here are selections from various dates with no hint that they were part of a radio show (other releases have introductions and other banter). You probably know half of the songs (That’s All Right, Maybellene, and Blue Moon Of Kentucky)...the other half a bit more obscure (Baby Let’s Play House, Good Rockin’ Tonight, and Tweedle Dee). The sound is very thick, with some slaphappy bass and a definite retro sounding rockabilly guitar...not vintage, retro. It doesn’t sound like the 50s, it sounds like someone emulating the 50s. If this sounds like something you may enjoy, you will...if not, you won't. It works for me, so I give it a thumbs up.
The bad
I’ll tell you the theoretical arguments with this. Some will say it’s rewriting history...some would say that these current guys are throwing too modern of a sound onto the songs and while it may work for covers, it’s inappropriate...some would say they are cashing in on Elvis as there are people who will buy anything with his name on it.
Personally, I think it’s interesting. Then again...I, for the most part, enjoy modern rockabilly. It’s not my choice of music, but it’s fun to listen to and these guys definitely have a passion. The material is treated respectfully and they chose the best songs from the Hayride sessions to improve.
If this was anything but the Hayride I might say this shouldn’t have been done. But when the source that has been “improved” desperately needs improvement, then why not?
Recap
Elvis purists—stay away. If you hated the remixes and if you hated the “Guitar Man” LP because they were tinkering with greatness, this will not win your heart. Elvis fans–this disc shouldn’t cost you too much so I have to suggest it. Especially the casual fans, who I can almost guarantee would not take any pleasure in the original recordings which have tape speed and static problems. Modern rockabilly fans–this is a must have. Fans of modern rockabilly AND Elvis–you just hit the jackpot.
