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Imagine being an Elvis Presley fanatic, just itching for a taste of the King’s lost recordings, only to be greeted with another pile of your favorite tunes stripped of all the glamour. Welcome to the world of ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ a five-CD boxed set set to drop on August 1.
RCA/Legacy is pushing this collection of tracks that Elvis was working on in Los Angeles during his final years. Are you excited or just bored? Because honestly, who isn’t sick of rehashed music at this point?
What’s in the box?
Now, let’s break down what this set is really about. We’re talking 89 tracks, over half of which have never seen the light of day in the U.S. before. That’s right, a whole lot of unheard material just waiting for your eager ears.
Sony Music has already teased us with ‘Burning Love (Take 2),’ a little sneak peek of the collection that promises to offer alternate versions of your late-period Elvis favorites. Great, another take on a song we’ve heard a million times.
But hey, who doesn’t love a little déjà vu with their music? Right?
Vinyl lovers rejoice
And because they know you need yet another reason to buy the same music over and over, there’s also a vinyl edition—a two-LP set featuring the first two discs from the five-CD collection.
This highlights set is like a buffet of Elvis tunes, with a side of ‘how many times can we milk this nostalgia?’ One disc will feature new mixes, all overdubs stripped away. Is that really necessary? Who are we trying to impress here, the ghosts of Elvis and his TCB Band?
Behind-the-scenes gawk fest
If you opt for the whole shebang—CD or digital—get ready for a backstage pass to Elvis’ Las Vegas residency. That’s right, three discs filled with rehearsal recordings from 1970 and 1974. It’s like getting a backstage look at a train wreck in slow motion. Who wouldn’t want to hear Elvis fumbling through ‘Twelfth of Never’ and ‘Softly as I Leave You’? It’s a real treat for the hardcore fans who claim they can handle anything Elvis-related, no matter how many times they’ve been served the same dish.
What else can you expect?
Expect raw versions of hits from songwriters who probably wish they were credited with something else entirely. We’re talking about songs like ‘For The Good Times’ and ‘I Can Help.’ Honestly, how many more versions of these songs do we need? The boxed set comes complete with archival photos and new liner notes, because what better way to celebrate a music icon than with another stack of photos and notes that no one will read? And don’t forget the color vinyl exclusive to the Graceland store—just what you need to add to your collection of overpriced memorabilia.
Final thoughts
So, while Elvis Week 2025 is gearing up for a listening event at Graceland’s Guest House Theater, ask yourself: is it really necessary to dig through yet another pile of old recordings? Or is it just another way for Sony Music to squeeze every last penny out of Elvis’ legacy? We all know the answer, and it’s not pretty. But hey, if you’re still breathing and still a fan, then more power to you. Maybe you’ll find something new to love, or maybe you’ll just be left with more of the same. Who knows? Isn’t that the fun of it all?
