Young Elvis vs Old(er) Elvis

Most Elvis fans will tell you that he was never the same after he came out of the army. That he was wasted, both talent wise and physically, in Vegas.

Here's my alternate take. The Vegas Elvis, musically at least, was the real Elvis.

A friend recently lent me the complete Sun sessions, and having listened to it I was shocked. Other than "That's Alright Mama" and a couple of other tracks, this was not the King Of Rock 'n' Roll, this was the king of croon. Nearly all ballads, with not much energy compared to what came later.

Given that this was recorded before anybody knew who the boy from Tupelo was, I think it is not unreasonable to say that what was put down in those sessions reveal the true musical heart of Elvis. He was a sentimental homeboy.

Rather than sinking into the artistic mire in the back end of his career, he actually went back to what he loved.

Now, I'm not saying that the film years weren't a waste and that Colonel Tom Parker's visa worries and decision making didn't stop Elvis reaching even greater heights; I'm almost certain they did.

What I am saying is give me "Suspicious Minds", "American Trilogy", "In The Ghetto", or "Burning Love" over "Hound Dog", "Heartbreak Hotel" or "Return To Sender" any day.

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