Elvis Presley - Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1 (Vinyl LP | IT Original | 1974)

Elvis Presley – Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1 launched RCA's archival series "A Legendary Performer" in January 1974 (cat. no. CPL1-0341). The compilation runs from "That's All Right", the first Sun single of 1954, and a previously unreleased take of "I Love You Because", through hits such as "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Don't Be Cruel", to live recordings from the 1968 NBC TV special. In between are two interview excerpts recorded as Presley left for Germany in September 1958. In the US the album went gold and later multi-platinum. This copy is a 1974 Italian original pressing with booklet and inner sleeve.

Pressing details

• Label / Cat. no.: RCA / RCA Victor CPL1-0341
• Format: Vinyl LP, Compilation
• Pressing: IT original
• Country: Italy
• Year: 1974
• Genre: Rock, Rock & Roll
• Extras: Booklet and inner sleeve

Condition

• Condition: Second hand
• Media: NM-
• Cover: VG+
• Inner sleeve: included (small bend on one corner)

Graded to Goldmine standard (see Vinyl Grading). The images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale (SKU S 43).

Tracklist

Side A

1. That's All Right (Arthur Crudup)
2. I Love You Because (Leon Payne) – previously unreleased take
3. Heartbreak Hotel (Mae Boren Axton/Tommy Durden/Elvis Presley)
4. Elvis (Interview, 1958)
5. Don't Be Cruel (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
6. Love Me (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) – live, 1968
7. Tryin' To Get To You (Rose Marie McCoy/Charles Singleton) – live, 1968

Side B

1. Love Me Tender (Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
2. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) (Thomas A. Dorsey)
3. Elvis' Farewell To His Fans (Interview, 1958)
4. (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I (Bill Trader)
5. Tonight's All Right For Love (Joseph Lilley/Abner Silver/Sid Wayne)
6. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Lou Handman/Roy Turk) – live, 1968
7. Can't Help Falling In Love (George David Weiss/Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore)

Personnel

Elvis Presley (vocals, guitar); on the 1954 Sun recordings with Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass), on later recordings with various backing musicians and The Jordanaires.

Compiled by RCA Records.

FAQ

Is this the original pressing?
Yes, as a first edition for Italy: the album came out in 1974 and this copy is an Italian pressing from that year. The very first edition was released at the same time in the US.

What makes Volume 1 special?
Besides well-known hits it contains a previously unreleased take of "I Love You Because" from the first Sun session, live recordings from the 1968 comeback special and two 1958 interviews. "Tonight's All Right For Love" was also new to US listeners, having appeared before only on European editions of "G.I. Blues".

What does Media NM- / Cover VG+ mean?
Record: NM- (Near Mint minus) means close to new with at most minimal signs of use. Sleeve: VG+ (Very Good Plus) means light signs of use that barely affect playback or the overall impression. All grades are explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

Do you have more Elvis Presley records?
Yes, for example A Legendary Performer Volume 2 and A Legendary Performer Volume 4. More titles are in our Beat & Rock & Roll collection.