Elvis Presley fans, brace yourselves for a musical treasure trove like no other. To celebrate what would have been the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 90th birthday, an exciting new box set titled ‘Sunset Boulevard’ is set to hit the shelves this summer. This collection is a must-have for any Presley aficionado, featuring a whopping 89 tracks recorded during the final decade of his illustrious career. Scheduled for release on August 1, this five-CD set promises to offer a deep dive into a unique era of Elvis’s music.
The ‘Sunset Boulevard’ set promises to be a goldmine of unheard material, with more than half of the tracks never before released in the United States. This collection captures Presley and his legendary TCB Band during their rehearsal sessions in the early ’70s at Los Angeles’s RCA Studio C, a period when Elvis was reigniting his career with dynamic live performances.
Among the jewels in this musical crown is an alternate version of the 1972 hit ‘Burning Love,’ which was his last Top 10 hit. The track list also features master and alternate takes of songs from the Los Angeles sessions of March 1972 and March 1975, including the iconic ‘Always on My Mind.’ These sessions resulted in singles and albums like 1973’s ‘Separate Ways’ and 1975’s ‘Today,’ further cementing his legacy.
The box set is thoughtfully curated, with one disc dedicated to newly mixed master versions of 17 songs from these crucial sessions. Another disc offers listeners 17 outtakes and alternate recordings, providing a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of the King. In true Elvis fashion, the set strips away any overdubs, leaving only his raw, powerful vocals and the energy of the live band.
The remaining three discs take fans behind the scenes of Presley’s rehearsals before his concerts in 1970 and 1974. These recordings capture Elvis at his most candid, as he runs through classics like ‘That’s All Right,’ ‘Love Me Tender,’ and ‘Don’t Cry Daddy.’ It’s an intimate look at a musical icon at work, showcasing his enduring passion for performance.
With ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ fans can relive the magic of Elvis Presley’s later years, a time when his music still captivated audiences worldwide. This collection is not just a celebration of his 90th birthday but a testament to the timeless allure of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
