The budget album released under the big hit title was pretty o.k. - remove about three negligible numbers and you've got a decent collection (including a powerful track that even the most supportive critics always seem to miss, "Tonight Is So Right For Love"). Anyway, this CD comes about 27 years later and contains more than enough for a great record - strong material, well produced, well performed. But we have to eliminate six tunes for the '72 album that shoulda been.

It's unusual to begin by listing these tracks which ofcourse stand alone mightily - the brilliant, patriotic "An American Trilogy", probably his best rendition, could have been saved for an *Inspirational* l.p., along with "The Impossible Dream", a compelling workout, which unfortunately reveals some small inconsistencies in Elvis' vocal. He may have bitten off more than he can chew on this soaring ballad. "Never Been To Spain" is one of Presley's best lesser-discussed set pieces but it would belong in a more typical, eclectic E. P. record at that time. "Hound Dog", "A Big Hunk...", and "Little Sister"/"Get Back" are engaging but also would belong elsewhere.

Now we are left with space for 12. And "Burning Love" would naturally lead off. It seems Elvis himself did not care much for the song or for singing it, but it became a late-career classic. The bass run at midsong is irresistible. Red West's ballad "Separate Ways" still sounds great, and still is Top Ten material. "I'm Leavin'" also missed the Top Ten slot it deserved. Perhaps the unusual "beat ballad" was...too unusual. It is a tribute to the man that he could effortlessly transform his own voice for the sake of the song. "It's A Matter Of Time" could be described in the same way - more commercial (in the Country-pop direction) but no off-hand B-side. "It's Only Love" landed even farther away from the vaunted area of the chart than did "Leavin'" but here we have another fine vocal over an insistent rhythm.

The less familiar "You Gave Me A Mountain" found here is really a masterpiece. It must have been a challenge for Elvis to deal with some of the lyrics which must have had a biographical significance for him. "Always On My Mind" succeeded as a *global* hit and is another gem which warrants more spins - in '72 record business jargon. "Fool" and "It's Over" may been a bit overproduced but are consistent with the Presley '70s sound.

The atmospheric "Where Do I Go From Here" is B-side/album-filler material with interesting use of echo. Some may find his voice too far back - but there are indications that the artist preferred this kind of mix.

Good to great songs and attractive packaging and terrific booklet notes make for a pleasant musical experience.

Back in March of 1972, Elvis went into the recording studio and taped seven new songs. Seven songs isn't enough for an album, so there was never a proper album featuring the material from that recording session. Instead, the March '72 songs were released on various singles and "budget" albums. This CD brings all those songs together for the first time. Of course, seven songs still isn't enough for an album, so the CD is padded out with songs recorded live in Las Vegas in February of 1972. Plus, there are two songs that were recorded in May of 1971 included (good songs, but I'm not sure they really belong here). March of '72 produced Elvis' last big hit, "Burning Love", which is a great rocker. All the other songs he recorded at the session were ballads about love gone sour (obviously a personal topic to him at the time). These ballads are of a high quality, especially "Seperate Ways" and "Always on My Mind". As for the live Vegas material, it's enjoyable enough, but it includes a lot of the same songs he played over and over again live. Elvis fans should enjoy this CD.

Most Elvis fans have their favorite "Elvis" period, the time in his life when they most connected to him and his music. For me this is my favorite time of his musically, as he was reeling from the breakup of his marriage, adjusting to the post-comeback let down and looking for another mountain to climb.

With this release, which collects the seven songs he recorded in 1972 with others found on cut-outs, cheapie collections, or singles released during that period, finds a mature and reflective Elvis, alternately brash and confident and solemn and introspective, singing on some of the best material of his career. Sure, there's some schmaltz in there as well, but it's perfectly enjoyable -- tell me his version of "Never Been to Spain" won't put a smile on your face -- as well as the title track, 70s concert faves "You Gave Me a Mountain" and "American Trilogy," and the break up songs "Separate Ways" and "Always on My Mind" (later reclaimed by Willie Nelson). In all, a consistently superior collection of early 70s Elvis, before the sadness overwhelmed him, the drugs kicked in, and the endless tours and hard-living took him so tragically.

This CD will have heavy rotation on my cd player at home, and a copy I made from it will be played in my car. This is the material that made me a fan to begin with. This CD is a perfect match of studio and live cuts, with classics and must haves such as Burning Love (the title track), Separate Ways, Always on My Mind, American Trilogy, and The Impossible Dream. It also has the beautiful Fool and Where Do I Go From Here.

This CD is a must! Perhaps the best release RCA has ever put out. I just wish they would make a set like this out of the 1976 Graceland Sessions and the 1977 tour material.

Don't hesitate! This CD is well worth the money!!!

Lon Roberts Atlanta, GA

What if RCA had built an album around Elvis' classic hit Burning Love?It probably would have ascended to the top of the charts and given the gold standard yet another gold record and very easily could have been maybe his best album ever...we'll never know for sure.But thanks to this amazingly awesome CD...what we have is the next best thing.The gem of this set is the seldom played I'm Leavin.It's hauntingly beautiful.Elvis' voice is dramatic on Never Been to Spain,You Gave Me a Mountain,Seperate Ways and Always on my mind.I love the inclusion of his live version of Hound Dog...Elvis literally re-made the timeless classic for his live shows and its great.And how can you not love An American Trilogy and Impossible Dream.Another solid number here is It's Only Love.I love this disc and have almost worn it out.This is the album that should have been.