Quote:

"Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century."

(Leonard Bernstein)


Quote:

"If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible."

(George Klein)


Quote:

"For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy."

(Professor Gilbert B. Rodman)


Quote:

"History has him as this good old country boy, Elvis is about as country as Bono!"

(Jerry Schilling)

 

 

 

 


 

The Elvis Album

Millie Ridge

Red cover...

1991 edition


White cover...

2004 edition

Originally released in 1991 (Brompton Books Ltd/Bison Books), this delightful hardcover is one of those photobooks designed to please most fans. The 2004 reissue from Greenwich Editions (ISBN: 0-86288-524-8) in the UK and Australia features a new cover (with dust jacket) and is competitively priced.

Unlike the specialist photobooks published by Ger Rijff and Joe Tunzi, The Elvis Album is not a slimline volume. Throughout its 300+ pages you may have seen most of the visuals before, but thanks to a first rate book design it is a book you can't help but enjoy.

The chapters flow chronologically from The Hillbilly Cat to Elvis' resurgence as a live performer. With a heady mix of full page photos and montage selections, The Elvis Album is literally cram packed with a blend of color and b&w photos that reach out and grab your attention.

There are many great photos in The Elvis Album. Some of my favorites included:

  • Elvis in his two-piece black jumpsuit on opening night in Vegas in 1969
  • film posters from around the world
  • numerous informal candids of Elvis circa 1968-70
  • candids of Elvis with fans in the 1950s
  • several shots of The King with his natural hair color
  • interesting magazine covers
  • Elvis & Priscilla in Germany
  • the original Elvis and Larry Blong (clone) photo

Other notable visuals include Elvis and Bill Haley and Elvis with a young Nancy Sinatra following his discharge from the Army.

If I have any criticism of The Elvis Album it is that there should have been a lot more of Millie Ridge's sparse text. However, this arguably won't annoy too many fans as in any photobook it is the visuals that fans want to see.

Verdict: The Elvis Album should deservedly enjoy brisk sales over the Christmas-New Year season. Buy it either for yourself or a friend. You won't be disappointed.

Click to comment on this review

 

 

 

 

 

Latest Reviews
Latest Articles
Elvis and gospel music
What would Elvis be doing at 70?
Elvis at 70
Elvis sells out...again
Journalist slams Elvis & his fans
It's time for an "Elvis' Greatest Hits" DVD!
SFX filing to buy EPE
Thank God 1981 sale of EPE didn't happen
Sale of EPE - good or bad?
Bridge over troubled water
New owner of EPE
Elvis Fans - The Following
Redefining Elvis
How did Elvis die?
Elvis Film Bio
500 million fans can't be wrong?
 
Latest Interviews
Lisa Presley
Red & Sonny West
Paul Simpson
Ed Bonja (Part 2)
Ernst Jorgensen
Phil Aitcheson (Presley Commission)
 
Did you miss?
Elvis On Tour sessions
Online Elvis Symposium
Exclusive excerpts from "The King Is Dead"
All about Lisa Presley
All about Graceland
FTD review- Elvis: New Year's Eve
DVD Review: Elvis Presley The Last 24 Hours
Elvis vs. Bing: who really was The King?

 

Elvis Odd Spot (updated 13 Jan 2005)