Elvis’ second album is a classic because it sticks close to the formula that he adopted while recording at Sun Studios with Scotty Moore and Bill Black.

The astounding success of his debut album and previous single releases on RCA more or less demanded that the style remain intact, so basically, what we have here is more classic Elvis material. The only significant difference was replacing Sun’s ‘slapback’ echo for the ‘professional’ echo chamber (a speaker in a hallway) available at RCA, and the addition of the Jordanaires on backing vocals.

Other than a Christmas album, this would be Elvis’ last LP before being recruited into the army, which is pretty astounding, really, when you consider how easy it would have been for the label to capitalize on their investment, had he not been sent off to Germany. As an aside, I wonder how Little Richard felt to see three of his classic tracks repurposed here as ‘Elvis songs’. I only hope that he retained his publishing rights at the time.

Feature Tracks:

Rip It Up

Love Me

When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again

Long Tall Sally

First in Line

Paralyzed

So Glad You're Mine

Old Shep

Ready Teddy

Anyplace Is Paradise

How's the World Treating You

How Do You Think I Feel

‘Bonus’ Tracks –

My Baby Left Me

Hound Dog

Don’t Be Cruel

Love Me Tender

October 1956 - Billboard Charted #1