[.ca] Walk A Mile In My Shoes: The Essential 70's Masters (5CD)

From Amazon.com:
Elvis Presley's music in the 1970s is often dismissed as the bombastic, half-hearted hack work of an overweight, pill-addicted, badly dressed has-been. In the liner notes to this five-CD set, Dave Marsh argues that Presley, in fact, created a more impressive body of work in the '70s than almost any other pop act. And the music on this massive anthology backs Marsh up. Stripping away all the garish live recordings and album filler, the package concentrates on a core of 120 songs--the A- and B-sides of every single Presley recorded in the '70s, 46 other studio tracks (including 13 previously unreleased performances), and 27 live tracks (including another 13 unreleased tracks)--that feature a still-magnificent singer collaborating with one of the funkiest bands of its time. This body of work certainly doesn't match Presley's breakthroughs in the '50s, nor does it equal the achievements of Al Green, Neil Young, and Van Morrison in the '70s, but it does stack up well against the work of Bob Dylan and the ex-Beatles in the same decade. Even in his laziest moments, Presley was a master of intonation and phrasing, delivering his rich baritone with a disarming naturalness. And when he caught a spark from his great T.C.B. Band (anchored by guitarist James Burton and drummer Ron Tutt), Presley could still out-sing anyone in American pop. You can hear it here on inspired versions of Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie," Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," Muddy Waters' "Got My Mojo Working," Wayne Carson's "Always on My Mind," Chuck Berry's "Promised Land," Paul McCartney's "Lady Madonna," Percy Mayfield's "Stranger in My Own Hometown," Dennis Linde's "Burning Love," and Joe South's "Walk a Mile in My Shoes." --Geoffrey Himes

So Much Negative BS About Elvis In The 70's:
Even the Amazon.com comments had to mention the stereotypical myth of Elvis as the drug addicted, addled, fat, past his prime crooner. Fact is, Elvis was at his physical and artistic peak between 1969 and 1975. It was only the last 2 or 3 years of his life that Elvis got heavy, and the drugs went out of control. Even during that sad period, his voice continued to grow richer, his range growing as well. Bono characterized Elvis at the end of his life as an "opera singer," which is only a slight exaggeration, as is evident in tracks like "Hurt." The purists aren't going to like this, but Elvis' voice in the 50's was immature, and the sound quality sucked. In the 60's came the horrific movie songs from the horrific movies. So, in the 70's, Elvis' voice was at its peak, the sound was much improved, and for the most part, the songs were awesome--even if most are covers. Most of Elvis' covers are better than the original artist's performance. Elvis was at his very best in the 70's. You can't do better than this box set. It is the best of Elvis' best years.

Elvis' Most Overlooked Period:
How many CD's have you spent your hard earned money on and then only listened to 3, maybe 4 times and then never again? I bought this box set in 1995, when it first came out and am still listening to it regularly, so that should tell you a lot right there. Sure box sets are expensive, but thats why Satan invented credit cards. I would argue that Elvis' voice was never better or more versatile than in the 70's period. His musical choices were all over the map, but he he could literally sing in any style-Blues ,Rock, Country, Vegas lounge, funk and sometimes a hybrid af all of the above. Elvis' gift was to unite opposites musically- Country with black R & B etc., and never is that talent more amply displayed than on this sprawling box set of 5 Cd's. There are more more ballads than rockers, but what ballads they are. The King was not afraid to be vulnerable and wear his heart on his sleeve as on "You Gave Me A Mountain" or "Always On My Mind" or rocking and boastful on "Steamroller Blues" or "Tiger Man". There is even a smoking live disc that definately shows off his variety of styles. I'm not saying this music competes with the best of 70's Rock or R & B, but by that time Elvis had transcended mere Rock 'n Roll and become a genre unto himself. These days Rock seems to be in it's final dying stages as Rap and R & B and teen dance pop dominate the charts and airwaves, but Elvis' popularity continues unabated and this set offers 120 reasons why.

Awesome Elvis:
Well, I put off the purchase of this set for a long, long time. But after owning and loving the 50's and 60's sets for years I felt I needed to add the 70's set to my collection. I even thought a few of the songs might be kind of good. A few? How about almost every song!! There has been a lot of talk about the mature Elvis voice of the 1970's. So true. His voice was incredible during this period. This box set shows Elvis the singer - of every type of music. And I know what you are thinking - this guy is just another one of those Elvis nuts who worshipped the sideburns and jumpsuits. Forget the image. Forget Vegas. Forget that TV movie they always show on VH1. This box set suggests something entirely different than the Elvis Presley who was the friend of donut makers and pharmacies everywhere. This box set suggests a man who was confidently singing great songs until he passed. And the evidence is overwelming that there was more to this man than met the eye. 105 songs!! This guy was working overtime. Sure there are other recordings that were weak and did not make this set but 105 great performances. Do yourself a favor. Buy this box set.

Great Collection:
This is simply a must have for Elvis fans. I wasn't even really into his music before purchasing this. However I am so glade that I have. You get hours of entertainment from the King himself. With wonderful picture booklet and stamps. This is a must have for any Elvis fan , or want to be fan.

A comprehensive, die-hard look at the King's last decade:
By the 1970's, the psychedelia of the decade before had written Elvis out of pop culture, and he was now operating outside of rock 'n' roll instead of helping to shape it. Nonetheless, the King re-dedicated himself to his craft. Elvis was working hard, but no longer felt the need to prove his worth to a world that now looked past him; he just made music to please himself. There were the vices & forces that were both lifting him up and dragging him down (the Colonel, drugs, Priscilla, food, Vegas, money, the Memphis Mafia), and it was reflected in his music: sometimes his singing was inspired, and other times he sounded exhausted. RCA has managed to assemble his best accomplishments from that era for this box set. Throughout the dozens of songs here, he sounds relaxed yet in command. The uptempo songs are outweighed by the ballads, but Elvis seems comfortable and sounds natural at all times. Discs 1 & 2 contain all his singles and B-sides; this is where his most recognizable material appears ("Always On My Mind", "Burning Love"). Discs 3 & 4 collect "studio highlights" that display the King both in sharp focus at and mischevious play. Disc 5 is a concert disc where Elvis makes his already-familiar material sound fresh for the audience, even if he occasionally sounds a bit tired. His version of "Never Been To Spain" is a great concert highlight (I've enjoyed disc 5 more than other reviewers). What is most amazing is how easily Elvis navigates himself through so many styles. Song after song we hear him simmering down into varied grooves. Old-school blues with "Steamroller Blues", glossy rockabilly on "Promised Land", easy folk with "I'm Leavin'", slow-burning drama on "Make the World Go Away", and even some funk(!) with "If You Could Talk In Your Sleep." Who else can take a common country standard like "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" and turn it into his own soulful meditation on aging? "Moody Blue" could only be described as country-disco, and yet the song works! Even when adapting known classics (Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and two Beatles tunes), he gives the song the energy and respect it deserves. Lastly, people seldom give Elvis credit for his ability and desire to serve as his own producer. Elvis tailored & arranged every song he recorded to his own liking (whereas Sinatra deferred to his conductors). An ironic element is that every song here has Elvis incorporating a heavy arrangement of drums, bass, piano/organ, rhythm & lead guitars, back-up vocals, strings and horns - and yet it never sounds crowded, garish or overdone (others may disagree, decide for yourself). Ultimately, this is a box set for die-hard fans who've purchased the 50's and 60's retrospectives and are craving for more. "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" is a strong argument that the King was - for better or worse - still kicking & screaming with music, even towards the very end.

• Wonder of You - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• I've Lost You - Elvis Presley
• Next Step Is Love - The Nashville Edition, Elvis Presley
• You Don't Have to Say You Love Me - Elvis Presley
• Patch It Up - Elvis Presley
• I Really Don't Want to Know - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• There Goes My Everything - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• Rags to Riches - Elvis Presley
• Where Did They Go, Lord - The Imperials Quartet, The Jordanaires, Elvis Presley
• Life - Elvis Presley
• I'm Leavin' - Imperial Quartet, Elvis Presley
• Heart of Rome - Elvis Presley
• It's Only Love - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• Sound of Your Cry - Elvis Presley
• I Just Can't Help Believin' - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley, The Sweet Inspirations
• How the Web Was Woven - Elvis Presley
• Until It's Time for You to Go - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• We Can Make the Morning - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• American Trilogy - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations
• First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - The Imperials Quartet, The Nashville Edition, Elvis Presley
• Burning Love - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• It's a Matter of Time - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• Separate Ways - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• Always on My Mind - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• Fool - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• Steamroller Blues - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland
• Raised on Rock - Elvis Presley
• For Ol' Times Sake - Elvis Presley
• I've Got a Thing About You Baby - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• Take Good Care of Her - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• If You Talk in Your Sleep - Elvis Presley
• Promised Land - Elvis Presley
• It's Midnight - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Voice
• My Boy - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Voice
• Loving Arms - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Voice
• T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Mr. Songman - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Bringing It Back - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Pieces of My Life - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Green, Green Grass of Home - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Thinking About You - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Voice
• Hurt - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• For the Heart - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• Moody Blue - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• She Thinks I Still Care - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• Way Down - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• Pledging My Love - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• Twenty Days and Twenty Nights - Elvis Presley
• I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago - Elvis Presley
• Fool - Elvis Presley
• Hundred Years from Now \oInformal Recording\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Little Cabin on the Hill - Elvis Presley
• Cindy, Cindy - Elvis Presley
• Bridge over Troubled Water - Elvis Presley
• Got My Mojo Working/Keep Your Hands Off of It - Elvis Presley
• It's Your Baby, You Rock It - Elvis Presley
• Stranger in the Crowd - Elvis Presley
• Mary in the Morning - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• It Ain't No Big Thing (But It's Growing) - The Nashville Edition, Elvis Presley
• Just Pretend - Elvis Presley
• Faded Love \oOriginal Unedited Version\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Tomorrow Never Comes \oIncludes False Start\c\o#\c - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• Make the World Go Away - The Imperials Quartet, The Jordanaires, Elvis Presley
• Funny How Time Slips Away - The Imperials Quartet, The Jordanaires, Elvis Presley
• I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water \oLong Version\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Snowbird - Elvis Presley
• Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On - Elvis Presley
• Amazing Grace \oAlternate Take 2\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me - The Nashville Edition, Elvis Presley
• Lady Madonna \oInformal Recording\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Merry Christmas, Baby - Elvis Presley
• I Shall Be Released \oInformal Recording\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Don't Think Twice, It's All Right \oJam Edit\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• It's Still Here \oOriginal Unedited Version Ending with Felton Jarvi\c - Elvis Presley
• I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen \oOriginal Undubbed Version\c - Elvis Presley
• I Will Be True - Elvis Presley
• My Way \oMaster\c\o#\c - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• For the Good Times \oMaster\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• Just a Little Bit - Elvis Presley
• It's Diff'rent Now \oRehearsal\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• Are You Sincere - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• I Got a Feelin' in My Body - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Voice
• You Asked Me To - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Voice
• Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Voice
• Talk About the Good Times - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Tiger Man \oJam\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• I Can Help - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Susan When She Tried - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Shake a Hand - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• She Thinks I Still Care \oAlternate Take 2B\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• Danny Boy - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• Love Coming Down - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• He'll Have to Go - Elvis Presley, Myrna Smith, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland
• See See Rider \oLive\c - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• Men With Broken Hearts \oShort Poem\c\oLive\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Walk a Mile in My Shoes \oLive\c - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• Polk Salad Annie \oLive\c - Elvis Presley
• Let It Be Me (Je T'Appartiens) \oLive\c - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• Proud Mary \oLive\c - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley
• Something \oMaster\c\oLive\c\o#\c - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley, The Sweet Inspirations
• You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' \oLive\c - The Imperials Quartet, Elvis Presley, The Sweet Inspirations
• Heartbreak Hotel \oLive\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• I Was the One \oLive\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• One Night \oLive\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Never Been to Spain \oMaster\c\oLive\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations
• You Gave Me a Mountain \oMaster\c\oLive\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations
• It's Impossible \oLive\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations
• Big Hunk O' Love \oMaster\c\oLive\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• It's Over \oMaster\c\oLive\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations
• Impossible Dream (The Quest) \oLive\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations
• Reconsider Baby \oLive\c - Elvis Presley
• I'll Remember You \oLive\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland
• I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry \oLive\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps
• Suspicious Minds \oLive\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland
• Unchained Melody \oLive\c - Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland
• Twelfth of Never \oRehearsal\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley, The Voice
• Softly, As I Leave You \oRehearsal\c\o#\c - Sherrill Nielsen, Elvis Presley
• (Alla En) El Rancho Grande \oInformal Rehearsal\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Froggie Went A-Courtin' \oInformal Rehearsal\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley
• Stranger in My Own Home Town \oInformal Rehearsal\c\o#\c - Elvis Presley