There are 5, count 'em 5 rockers on this album and the song Raised On Rock is a winner. The first thing you hear is thudding bass, followed by a splintering guitar. "Just A Little Bit" is a classic R&B song done many times, and Elvis gives it a sultry southern soul treatment that's very worthy. The surprise on the album is the song "If You Don't Come Back" a VERY funky tune, in the purest meaning of the word funk, with funky wah-wah guitar and great syncopated rhthym, it kicks. There's a ballad on here called "For Old Times' Sale" that is just beautiful and heart wrentching, showing the delicacy of Elvis' voice when he wanted to convey tender emotion through this beautiful pseudo-country ballad with pop flavor. "Find Out What's Happening", I understand, was covered by some recent group - I haven't heard their version but I can ASSURE you that this original version is the definitive. And these songs don't sound old, the sound quality is crisp and clean, the bass pumps, the sound is all that. "I Miss You", another ballad, could bring the macho man to tears, it's absolutely beautiful. It can remind you of a lost love, or someone who's passed on, and it's invoking of many emotions. The rest of the songs are just as strong, while "Three Corn Patches" may be a little clichéd attempt at 50's rock and roll, it's still a great tune. Buy this album, before it's gone - because it is deleted. I recommend getting it now, because once it's gone, it's gone. Raised On Rock!

In June of 1973, Elvis Presley entered the legendary Stax Studios to record a new album. There were high hopes for this recording session, since this was the studio that great records by the likes of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Booker T. & the MGs were recorded. But things didn't go as planned. The recording studio wasn't as modern as Elvis was used to, which presented problems. And most of the songs that were recorded aren't all that great. Two of the best songs recorded at the sessions, "I've Got a Thing About You Baby" and "Take Good Care of Her", were left off of this album and saved for a later single, which certainly doesn't help the quality of this album. With those two songs not available for this album, that left only seven songs finished for the album, plus four backing tracks that didn't feature Elvis. A mobile recording truck was dispatched to Elvis' Palm Springs home, so he could add his vocals to the four instrumental tracks. But once again, things didn't proceed as planned. Elvis only recorded a vocal for one of the songs, "Sweet Angeline". He actually spent most of the time recording demos for his latest pet project, the singing group called "Voice". But he did manage to tape two other songs for the album, "I Miss You" and "Are You Sincere". So, after all that, how is the album? Pretty mediocre, actually. The songs aren't that great, the band sometimes doesn't jell and Elvis displays a noticible lack of enthusiasm much of the time. There are some good moments, but nothing really outstanding. This is one of the weaker albums of Elvis' later years. And at 27 minutes length, it's a very short album.

It has been said that Elvis' music of the 70's is the weakest of his career. I disagree! I feel the 70's is actually Elvis's best. Maybe the hits like Hound Dog and company were things of the past, but what he recorded was music he wanted to record. This is what comes through song after song. The emotion in these albums are unequalled in the 50's and 60's recordings save the 69 Memphis recordings and the 68 Comeback Special. This album is a perfect example. All ten tracks shine! From the grooves of Raised On Rock, If You Don't Come Back, and Just A Little Bit to the regret of For 'Ol Times Sake and the sadness of Sweet Angeline and I Miss You this is a classic Elvis album. Treat yourself and give this a listen. You will be glad you did!

i bought this album when i was 13, it was typical of the tracks elvis was recording and the direction his music was turning.....he was on the direction of a pop star such in the way as...tom jones, wayne newton...etc,, but occasionall would give ya a rock song to remain true toi his roots.
maybe this album should have been released in quad...!

"Raised on Rock" was Elvis' 3rd major release of 1973. The first Aloha From Hawaii soared to number 1. That was followed by was Elvis fans call the "Fool" album, which was a thrown together hodge podge of unreleased studio, live, and studio jam numbers. Only made it half up Billboards top 100 album chart.

Rasied On Rock was released in the fall of that year and in spite of the fact that Elvis was always on tour, still packing them in, he or RCA didn't promote the album at all. The only single and title cut was a fine rock single, but only made it to number 41 in Billboard's hot 100. The song however did have quite an impact with other artists, it was covered by a number of people including Johnny Winter and Helen Ready. It was written by Mark James (Suspicious Minds, Moody Blue, Always On My Mind). Elvis performed the song a grand total of once in concert. "Are You Sincere" is a so-so love song followed. Next is a fine rocker with some great pickin' by the legendary James Burton. "I Miss You" is another mellow song, but a fine one penned by Donnie Sumner (of The Stamps & Voice see my review of Donnie's new Christmas cd) added a great touch. Donnie should have composed a whole lp for the king. "Girl of Mine" another so-so laid back number. Tony Joe White's "For Ol' Times Sake" the b side of the single is one of the albums standout songs. "If You Don't Come Back" what a song!!! A funky peace of music, where Elvis sings about as low as he ever did, with the soulful Sweet Insparations singing backup and James Burton on wah wah guitar is one of Elvis' great moments of the 70's, it sould have been much longer. The old r& b standard "Just A Little Bit" is performed to perfection and again James Burton's guitar playing is awsome. After 3 killer cuts in a row Elvis hits a pothole with "Sweet Angeline". The album ends with the country rocker "Three Corn Patches", a solid song with a bouncy piano solo by Glen D. Hardin, and fades out with some gritty guitar licks by Mr. Burton. All in all a very good album, but had Elvis put a bit more effort into it, extended the songs some (the running time is under a half hour), and maybe replaced "Sweet Angeline" with a good blues workout, it could have been one of the year's best. Chartwise, it too only made half way up the top 100 album chart.