This five-disc set was the first release in BMG's effort to present Elvis's recorded legacy in a manner befitting the most important musical artist of his time. The strategy was simple--showcase, in chronological order, remastered versions of the King's 1950s output, from his sessions with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios (where they arguably invented the very notion of rock & roll) through his 1958 Army induction. Not everything Elvis recorded in the '50s was great (just as not everything he recorded in Hollywood was rotten), but there are dozens of tracks here that, quite simply, can make a bad day seem all that much better. Which surely still makes him the king of something. Suffice it to say this is one box set that lives up to its title. --Bill Holdship

Track List:

Disc: 1
1     My Happiness
2     That's All Right
3     I Love You Because
4     Harbor Lights
5     Blue Moon of Kentucky
6     Blue Moon
7     Tomorrow Night
8     I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')
9     I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine
10     Just Because
11     Good Rockin' Tonight
12     Milkcow Blues Boogie
13     You're a Heartbreaker
14     Baby, Let's Play House
15     I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone
16     Mystery Train
17     I Forgot to Remember to Forget
18     Trying to Get to You
19     When It Rains, It Really Pours
20     I Got a Woman
21     Heartbreak Hotel
22     Money Honey
23     I'm Counting on You
24     I Was the One
25     Blue Suede Shoes
26     My Baby Left Me
27     One-Sided Love Affair
28     So Glad You're Mine
29     I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)
30     Tutti Frutti
Disc: 2
1     Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
2     Shake, Rattle and Roll
3     I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
4     Hound Dog
5     Don't Be Cruel
6     Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be)
7     We're Gonna Move
8     Love Me Tender
9     Poor Boy
10     Let Me
11     Playing for Keeps
12     Love Me
13     Paralyzed
14     How Do You Think I Feel
15     How's the World Treating You
16     When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again
17     Long Tall Sally
18     Old Shep
19     Too Much
20     Anyplace Is Paradise
21     Ready Teddy
22     First in Line
23     Rip It Up
24     I Believe
25     Tell Me Why
26     Got a Lot O' Livin' to Do!
27     All Shook Up
28     Mean Woman Blues
29     (There'll Be) Peace In the Valley (For Me)
Disc: 3
1     That's When Your Heartaches Begin
2     Take My Hand, Precious Lord
3     It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
4     Blueberry Hill
5     Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
6     Is It so Strange
7     (Let's Have A) Party
8     Lonesome Cowboy
9     Hot Dog
10     One Night Of Sin
11     (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
12     Don't Leave Me Now
13     I Beg of You
14     One Night
15     True Love
16     I Need You So
17     Loving You
18     When It Rains, It Really Pours
19     Jailhouse Rock
20     Young and Beautiful
21     I Want to Be Free
22     (You're so Square) Baby I Don't Care
23     Don't Leave Me Now
24     Blue Christmas
25     White Christmas
26     Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
27     Silent Night
28     O Little Town of Bethlehem
29     Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
30     Santa Claus Is Back In Town
31     I'll Be Home for Christmas
Disc: 4
1     Treat Me Nice
2     My Wish Came True
3     Don't
4     Danny
5     Hard Headed Woman
6     Trouble
7     New Orleans
8     Crawfish
9     Dixieland Rock
10     Lover Doll
11     Don't Ask Me Why
12     As Long as I Have You
13     King Creole
14     Young Dreams
15     Steadfast, Loyal and True
16     Doncha' Think It's Time
17     Your Cheatin' Heart
18     Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
19     I Need Your Love Tonight
20     A Big Hunk O' Love
21     Ain't That Loving You Baby
22     (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I
23     I Got Stung
24     Interview With Elvis
Disc: 5
1     That's When Your Heartaches Begin
2     Fool, Fool, Fool
3     Tweedle Dee
4     Maybellene
5     Shake, Rattle And Roll
6     Blue Moon Of Kentucky
7     Blue Moon
8     I'm Left, You're Right She's Gone
9     Reconsider Baby
10     Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
11     Shake, Rattle And Roll
12     I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
13     Introduction and Heartbreak Hotel
14     Talking and Long Tall Sally
15     Talking and Blue Suede Shoes
16     Talking and Money Honey
17     We're Gonna Move
18     Old Shep
19     I Beg Of You
20     Loving You (Slow)
21     Loving You (Fast)
22     Young And Beautiful
23     I Want To Be Free
24     King Creole
25     As Long As I Have You
26     Ain't That Loving You Baby

Format: Used CD. All discs are visually inspected and guaranteed to be in VG+ condition or better and free of scratches. Original artwork included unless otherwise noted. Images are stock photos. Please inquire for photos of actual product.