Personnel include: Elvis Presley (vocals, guitar); J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland, The Blossoms, The Imperials Quartet, The Jordanaires, The Sweet Inspirations (background vocals).
Liner Note Author: Michael Hill.
ELVIS BY THE PRESLEYS is a two-disc audio companion to the 2005 television documentary of the same name. Selected by Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, the songs here underscoring thoughts about Elvis from his family's perspective. The accompanying booklet, full of home photographs and liner notes, explains the selection of songs, so that "Heartbreak Hotel" can be heard anew as a testament to Elvis meeting Priscilla, and "Hawaiian Wedding Song" as an allegory of their nuptials.
The liner notes also suggest that certain songs point to aspects of the King's personality, such as his spiritual, "seeking" nature ("Peace in the Valley"). Disc Two features five previously unreleased recordings, including alternate takes of "Jailhouse Rock," "You'll Be Gone" (a song distinguished by a rare Elvis songwriting credit), and "Anything That's Part of You" (with vocal accompaniment by the Jordanaires). On the two private home recordings, however--takes on Jimmy Reed's "Baby What You Want Me To Do" and Hank Williams's "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"--the listener truly has the sense of eavesdropping on the King behind closed doors. This lovingly assembled package is ideal for casual fans and completists alike.
