The Elvis Is Back Sessions FTD 4 CD

It's completely fascinating to hear - especially in the cases of songs where a large number of takes was attempted - how Elvis changes subtle vocal nuances in the direction of the final Master Take i.e. the version that we've loved for many decades. It's a real shame than another Take or two of "Reconsider Baby" has apparently never been found.

A welcome "fly-on-the-wall" set from my second-favorite era of Presley's recording career. ("A Boy from Tupelo" covers the first.) However, if you already have FTD's Classic Album issue of "Elvis Is Back," there really isn't much more of value this package offers. Disc one is the original album plus the related singles sides. Those same eighteen master takes are repeated throughout discs two through four. Roughly speaking, that leaves two discs of session material. The cream of those outtakes fills disc two of the earlier FTD set. What's left? Mostly false starts and spoiled takes. Before purchasing, keep in mind this isn't a collection that merits repeated plays or enhances our love for this album. Am I grateful to FTD for this collection? Yes. But if there's a real justification for buying it, it's to support FTD and encourage future archival projects.