Elvis Presley’s 90th Birthday Celebrated with New Box Set: Sunset Boulevard

A new Elvis Presley box set, marking the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 90th birthday this year, is set to release this summer. Titled Sunset Boulevard, this collection comprises 89 tracks, just one short of the milestone age, showcasing some of his final recordings from the 1970s.

Unearthing the Vault: A Look at Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard delves into Presley’s extensive vault of recordings from the early ’70s, highlighting sessions conducted in Los Angeles where he and the TCB Band rehearsed for live performances and recorded at RCA Studio C.

Notably, over half of the 89 tracks included in this collection have never been released in the United States. Fans can anticipate the five-CD box set becoming available on August 1, with an alternate version of the 1972 hit “Burning Love” already accessible for listening.

Presley’s Resurgence in Popularity

Following his iconic 1968 comeback television special and the release of his Memphis recordings in 1969, which included the chart-topping “Suspicious Minds,” Elvis embarked on a series of performances in Las Vegas. This marked a resurgence in his popularity that continued until his untimely death in 1977.

In March of 1972 and again in 1975, Presley dedicated a week to recording material that would eventually surface as singles and on albums like Separate Ways (1973) and Today (1975).

What’s Inside the Sunset Boulevard Box Set?

This forthcoming box set includes a comprehensive selection of tracks from Presley’s Los Angeles sessions:

• Disc 1 – The Masters: Features the newly mixed master versions of 17 songs including “Burning Love” and “Always on My Mind.”
• Disc 2 – Outtakes Highlights: Contains 17 outtakes and alternate recordings from the 1972 and 1975 sessions.
• Disc 3 – July 24, 1970 Rehearsal: A rehearsal recording that spans over one and a half CDs, featuring classics from Presley’s career.
• Disc 4 – Continuation of July 24, 1970 Rehearsal: Continues with more songs from the rehearsal session.
• Disc 5 – August 16, 1974 Rehearsal: Includes newer additions to Presley’s repertoire.

Track Listing for Sunset Boulevard

Disc 1 – The Masters

1. Burning Love
2. Always On My Mind
3. Where Do I Go From Here
4. Separate Ways
5. For The Good Times
6. It’s A Matter Of Time
7. Fool
8. T-R-O-U-B-L-E
9. And I Love You So
10. Susan When She Tried
11. Woman Without Love
12. Shake A Hand
13. Pieces Of My Life
14. Fairytale
15. I Can Help
16. Bringin’ It Back
17. Green, Green Grass Of Home

Disc 2 – Outtakes Highlights

1. Separate Ways – Take 25
2. For The Good Times – Take 3
3. Where Do I Go From Here – Take 2
4. Burning Love – Take 2
5. Fool – Take 1
6. Always On My Mind – Take 2
7. It’s A Matter Of Time – Takes 1–3
8. It’s A Matter Of Time – Take 4
9. Fairytale – Take 2
10. Green, Green Grass Of Home – Takes 2 and 3
11. And I Love You So – Take 2
12. Susan When She Tried – Takes 1 and 2
13. T-R-O-U-B-L-E – Take 1
14. Tiger Man
15. Shake A Hand – Take 2
16. Bringin’ It Back – Takes 2 and 3
17. Pieces Of My Life – Takes 2 and 3

Disc 3 – July 24, 1970 Rehearsal (Part 1)

1. That’s All Right
2. I Got A Woman
3. The Wonder Of You
4. I’ve Lost You
5. The Next Step Is Love
6. Stranger In The Crowd
7. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
8. Something
9. Don’t Cry Daddy
10. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
11. Polk Salad Annie
12. Bridge Over Troubled Water
13. I Can’t Stop Loving You
14. Just Pretend
15. Sweet Caroline
16. Love Me Tender
17. Words
18. Suspicious Minds
19. I Just Can’t Help Believin’

Disc 4 – July 24, 1970 Rehearsal (Part 2)

1. Tomorrow Never Comes
2. Mary In The Morning
3. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights
4. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
5. Just Can’t Help Believin’
6. Heart Of Rome
7. Memories
8. Johnny B. Goode
9. Make The World Go Away
10. Stranger In My Own Home Town
11. I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
12. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
13. Promised Land
14. Down In The Alley

Disc 5 – August 16, 1974 Rehearsal (Continued)

1. It’s Midnight
2. Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming
3. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues
4. Softly As I Leave You
5. I’m Leavin’
6. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
7. Proud Mary
8. If You Talk In Your Sleep
9. The Twelfth Of Never
10. Faded Love
11. Just Pretend

Conclusion

The Sunset Boulevard box set promises to be a treasure trove for Elvis fans, offering a rare glimpse into his later work and rehearsals. With the significant inclusion of unreleased tracks and alternate takes, this collection not only commemorates his legacy but also reaffirms Presley’s enduring impact on music history.

FAQs

When will the Sunset Boulevard box set be released?

The Sunset Boulevard box set is scheduled for release on August 1.

How many tracks are included in the box set?

The box set features a total of 89 tracks.

What kind of recordings can be found in the box set?

The collection includes master versions, outtakes, and rehearsal recordings from the early 1970s.

Are there any previously unreleased tracks in the box set?

Yes, more than half of the tracks have never been released in the U.S. before.