volumes 1-5
ELVIS GOLDEN RECORDS VOLUME 5
(US) RCA AFL1 4941 (LP)
(US) RCA PCD1 4941 (CD)
Released: March 1984
Elvis’ Gold Records Volume 5 is the final album in the RCA Golden/Gold Records series by American singer and musician Elvis Presley (which began in 1958), and the only volume in the series to be issued posthumously. The album was released by RCA Records in March 1984 on both LP and compact disc. The album is a compilation of hit singles released between 1968 and 1977. It is the only one of the series not to make the Billboard album chart, “bubbling under” at #207 for two weeks. It was certified Gold on 7/15/1999 by the RIAA.
Side one
1. “Suspicious Minds” Mark James January 22, 1969 47-9764 August 26, 1969 1 3:28
2. “Kentucky Rain” Eddie Rabbitt and Dick Heard February 19, 1969 47-9791 January 29, 1970 16 3:14
3. “In the Ghetto” Mac Davis January 20, 1969 47-9741 April 14, 1969 3 2:45
4. “Clean Up Your Own Backyard” Billy Strange and Mac Davis October 23, 1968 47-9747 June 17, 1969 35 3:07
5. “If I Can Dream” Walter Earl Brown June 23, 1968 47-9670 November 5, 1968 12 3:11
Side two
1. “Burning Love” Dennis Linde March 28, 1972 74-0769 August 1, 1972 2 2:50
2. “If You Talk In Your Sleep” Red West and Johnny Christopher December 11, 1973 APBO 0280 May 10, 1974 17 2:34
3. “For the Heart” Dennis Linde February 5, 1976 PB 10601b March 12, 1976 ̶ 3:22
4. “Moody Blue” Mark James February 4, 1976 PB 10857 November 29, 1976 31 3:22
5. “Way Down” Layng Martine Jr. October 29, 1976 PB 10998 June 6, 1977 18 2:38
I love the mixes/mastering on the ten-track CD of Gold Records Vol. 5 (from what I hear, the expanded CD contains the standard mixes). It’s my go-to source for those Memphis singles, in particular.
The track selection is a bit dodgy (where’s The Wonder Of You?!), but as a listening experience, it’s very enjoyable. This and Gold Records Vol. 4 are the only Elvis “hits” comps that I really love and keep coming back to.
As Claus noted, the selling point of Gold Records 5 is the first-ever appearance of Kentucky Rain in stereo. And as noted, this 1983 remix is probably the best stereo mix there is. The original 1969 stereo mix (not released until the 90s) fades earlier and has the background vocals buried. The 1987 Memphis Record remix is an 80s-style remix with almost no stereo separation. This 1983 remix has good stereo separation and emulates the mono mix in terms of length and backing vocal prominence.
Also notable that most of the other tracks on the album are remixes. They are not dramatically different but interesting to hear and contrast for the hardcore fan. The remixes only appear on the original ten-song version of the album, not the expanded 1997 CD (which reverts to original mixes).
The original EGR5 CD was where I first heard “If You Talk In Your Sleep”, and I fell in love with the tune there. I think it’s a great mix, to the point where I was shocked when I heard the original: I hate the cheap reverb on Elvis’ voice and the way they neutered the horn section. But, hey, YMMV.