The Essential Elvis, Vol. 3: Hits Like Never Before by Elvis Presley

HITS LIKE NEVER BEFORE brings together alternate takes of 24 songs that Elvis Presley recorded in marathon sessions for RCA in 1958, on the eve of his departure for military service in Germany. It was the album versions of these songs, along with a slew of Hollywood movies, that helped to sate fans' appetites during The King's ensuing two-year absence.These shelved takes are revealing. Not only do they illuminate Elvis' evolution as a singer, but they also hint at the kind of behind-the-scenes decisions that were being made in the tailoring of the singer's sound. Compare, for example, the first-run-through take of "A Big Hunk O' Love" featured here to the (presumably later) session take released to the public. One notices that Elvis' singing on the former is marked by a more airy timbre, while the latter captures a growling vocal punch. In addition, "A Big Hunk O' Love" did not originally receive the anchoring support of lower-register background doo-wop singing. Minimize