Poll/Taking Sides: Elvis Presley 1953-1957 vs. Elvis Presley 1969-1977

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The Sun sessions and the epochal early hits, or the unbelievably awesome From Elvis In Memphis and the wildly underrated albums that followed? (This poll is only concerned with studio recordings, so kindly don't let Having Fun With Elvis On Stage influence your voting.) Think of this in terms of the earlier discussion of music from the past vs. music from the future - imagine that choosing the 1950s material means you can never hear "Suspicious Minds" again, and vice versa. If you wanna know what I think, read this blog entry. But vote!

Poll Results

Option	Votes
The later years (1969 through untimely death)	11
The early years (1953 through joining the Army)	7

― unperson, Sunday, 31 August 2008 03:32 (seventeen years ago)

I'm a relatively new convert to late period Elvis; I finally saw the '68 Comeback Special last year and had my mind suitably blown. Quickly picked up From Elvis In Memphis and was an instant convert. I couldn't agree more with your conclusions.

― EZ Snappin, Sunday, 31 August 2008 14:18 (seventeen years ago)

Voted early years, but I have to admit I pull out the Memphis albums more often. Good blog entry, Phil -- it really makes me want to hear those 70s albums.

― Brad C., Sunday, 31 August 2008 18:42 (seventeen years ago)

ok I voted later years already (I love Elvis Country so much) but "Long Black Limousine" came on shuffle this morning, and that just reinforced it. What a vocal performance! T/S Elvis on "Long Black Limousine" vs. Richard Manuel on "Whispering Pines", for 1969 vocal doom writ large.

It's not like this is a clear decision for me: "Funny How Time Slips Away" vs. "Mystery Train", yikes! I think that if more people listened to the later albums, their reputation would go up, but there's so much music to listen to (not just Elvis) that it's understandable, if lamentable, that people don't.

― Euler, Monday, 1 September 2008 13:58 (seventeen years ago)

There are loads of fine tracks from the period 1958 to 1968...

However, you do have to massively skim off the crud.

Same, for the latter period.

But, his earlier years have a higher good to bad ratio.

So, early it is.

― Mark G, Monday, 1 September 2008 14:02 (seventeen years ago)

Obviously the 50s. In spite of his 1968-69 material being really strong.

― Geir Hongro, Monday, 1 September 2008 19:13 (seventeen years ago)

Jerry Reed, Dead at 71

― James Redd and the Blecchs, Tuesday, 2 September 2008 20:45 (seventeen years ago)

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