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Today sees the release of a five CD box set which celebrates the power and excitement of Elvis Presley in 1956. “Elvis – Young Man With The Big Beat” features some of Elvis’ most outstanding masters from the year he became a superstar, as well as studio outtakes, revealing interviews, and a previously unreleased concert performance.

The first two discs contain Elvis’ excellent first two RCA Victor albums in full, “Elvis Presley” and “Elvis,” as well as the “Love Me Tender” soundtrack songs and the songs that appeared on single in 1956. Among the classic recordings featured are “Blue Suede Shoes,” “One-Sided Love Affair,” “Trying To Get To You.” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “My Baby Left Me,” “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Love Me,” “Hound Dog” and “Any Way You Want Me.”

Disc three is a gem for the collector as it features the first ever release of Elvis’ Louisiana Hayride show from the Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport, Louisiana on December 15, 1956. Elvis was never one to stick rigidly to studio arrangements when performing live and there are several examples with this show. Most interesting is Elvis’ decision to emulate the arrangement of “Don’t Be Cruel” that he had recently heard Billy Ward and His Dominoes (with the then unknown Jackie Wilson on lead vocals) perform in Vegas. Elvis had revealed his enthusiasm for this cover during the Million Dollar Quarter sessions 11 days before.

Also on Disc three are Elvis’ poorly received live show from the New Frontier Venus Room , Las Vegas on May 6, 1956 (the crowd wasn’t ready for rock ‘n’ roll), and the great performance from Little Rock, Arkansas on March 18, 1956.

Disc four is a selection of exceptional studio outtakes, with most space reserved for “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” All outtakes were previously featured on the FTD release of the “Elvis Presley” album, so there’s nothing new for the collector. Disc four concludes with the complete Warwick Hotel interview.

The final disc includes the rare Victrola Radio ads, and interviews with Elvis, including “The Truth About Me” in full.

This was the year that Elvis Presley went from a regional star to a national phenomenon, experiencing a number of important firsts along the way, including his first national television appearance, first long playing album, first million selling single and first movie appearance. It was also Elvis’ most controversial year, with many considering the young star’s stage antics and rock ‘n’ roll style to be a very real threat to the moral wellbeing of the nation’s youth. This aspect of Elvis’ early career is highlighted on the box set by Elvis’ slightly sarcastic handling of the middle-aged Vegas crowd and the tone of some of the interview questions. To his credit, Elvis comes across as funny and down-to-earth during these exchanges.

Most of all, this box set highlights that Elvis Presley’s dreams of stardom became a reality because of his huge talent, not simply good fortune or clever management. It features the young star in commanding vocal form on both the rockers and the ballads, and exuding charm and confidence on stage. Music historians will continue to document and debate the artistic highlights and missteps in Elvis’ career, but few will dispute the brilliance of Elvis in 1956.

“Young Man With The Big Beat” also includes:

• an 80-page 12 x 12 book about Elvis in 1956
• a memorabilia envelope featuring replicas of a vintage poster, flyer, ticket stub and letter
• five Elvis photos (8×10) that are suitable for framing.

The sound quality on “Young Man With The Big Beat” is generally top notch, with the well regarded Vic Anesini remasters used throughout. It is fair to say that allowances do need to be made for the sound quality of some of the live material, but it is all very listenable and its historical significance overrides these concerns.

“Elvis Presley – Young Man With The Big Beat” trailer

The first two discs of the set have also been released today as “Elvis Presley: Legacy Edition.” In keeping with previous Elvis Legacy Editions and perhaps in recognition of the fact that Sony presides over an Elvis collectors’ label (FTD), this takes the slightly unimaginative approach of including the follow-up album on the second disc, rather than other rarities.

You can buy “Young Man With The Big Beat” and “Elvis Presley Legacy Edition” now from:

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