50 Greatest Hits

For those familiar only with the King of Rock & Roll's name and reputation, the prospect of buying a best-of can be quite a nauseating proposition. The huge range of compilations available varies in quality, and depth, but as yet there exists no definitive choice for first-time Presleyers. RCA's latest attempt to correct this is perhaps the finest best-of Elvis Presley ever. Spanning two CDs and, as its title suggests, 50 songs, all the classic tracks are here, from "Heartbreak Hotel" through "Suspicious Minds." The sound quality is as near-perfect as one will get for a best-of from this artist, and the packaging is quite superb. While it may not be as in-depth as other compilations, The 50 Greatest Hits is adequate for those wanting the major hits, and provides a taster for each of his styles. As a starting point to Elvis Presley's work, this is unmatched by any other best-of and is an almost perfect compilation in that all of his most noted tracks are here, as are all the finest moment from each of his eras. For the more hardcore Elvis fan, also, The 50 Greatest Hits is an essential purchase, offering almost all of the finest tracks on a mere two discs. ~ Ben Davies