There are so many reviews around of Elvis that another one really didn’t matter. But this collection was special in the sense that its pure-power from your Hi-Fi like it was recorded yesterday.

Like the Beatles’ 1, This album of Elvis’ ‘Elvis 30 #1 Hits’ aims to be the proverbial offer no one can refuse. In his lifetime, Presley scored eighteen Number One hits on Billboard’s singles charts. This collection has been extended to thirty-one by including songs that topped the country, R&B and the U.K. pop charts. Not that anyone will complain about having thirty-one songs of this caliber on a single CD.

The release came from RCA to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Presley’s death and actually numbers thirty-one songs, the bonus thirty-first track, A Little Less Conversation, the surprisingly successful recent remix of an Elvis movie-era obscurity by a Dutch DJ. A Little Less Conversation was remixed by Junkie XL for a Nike television ad. You may or may not find use of popular music in advertising to be distasteful, but the fact remains that this remixed version turned a forgotten non-hit into a smash that went all the way to #1 around the world, was featured George Clooney's remake of the Ratpack "Ocean's 11" movie, and was added to this particular album at the last minute because it had become too big not to include.

The remastering of the music is amazing. Take Suspicious Minds, for instance, it’s got a fuller, punchier sound, including tighter bass and more detail on the guitars. A Fool Such As I, a tune from 1959 has the Jordanaires’ vocal backups against Presley’s airy, nuanced vocals.

While fans might complain on one line or the other that the compilations does not have their favorite tracks, but then these are the definitive Top No 1 hits, and only the #1 hits. No key album tracks. No live favorites. You're only getting the cream of the crop as far as chart performance.

Now for the playlist which you will love. There’s the 50s classics. Heartbreak Hotel, Don't Be Cruel and Hound Dog, start the disc off with three indisputable classic rockers. All Shook Up and Jailhouse Rock are among the rockers that come up next, sprinkled with ballads like Don't and A Fool Such As I.

Move to the 60s and you have songs like In the Ghetto and Burning Love you can hear how Elvis’ music had changed. A few personal favorite Elvis tracks Love me Tender, Hard Headed Woman, It’s Now or Never, Are you Lonesome Tonight, (You’re The) Devil in Disguise and Burning Love, among many others.

This is a great CD where you can get a nice introduction and a pretty good idea of what to expect on Elvis. This is best single disc collection you'll find on the King and the best introduction for curious fans. Classic rock and roll, all the way through.

Rating: *****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira