Yes, you are not seeing things…this
is indeed an LP version of the very rare CD release of the same title.
“ Vintage 1955 ” was released originally in 1990 on the Oak 1003 NR
18245 label. Supposedly only 100 copies
of the CD were originally released, which I find hard to believe taking into
consideration the “expense to profit ratio ” of such a small pressing.
I think 1000 copies is a more reasonable number, though if 100 copies is
indeed the truth, the CD version certainly has been re-released in a form
identical to the original.
The LP version contains the same
material as the CD, all of which is well known by now.
Side 1: Interview with Biff Collie /
Baby Let’s Play House / Blue Moon of Kentucky / I’ve Got a Woman / There’s
Good Rockin’ Tonight / That’s All Right Little Mama. All except the first title are touted as being from Eagle’s
Hall Houston TX March 19, 1955. These
tracks have been released many times, but in reality the historical significance
of these recordings, no matter how rough in quality they are, are essential to
the legacy of the Boppin’ Hillbilly Cat.
Side 2: Interview with Scotty Moore
– Tells the Beginning of Elvis. Again,
this insightful and interesting interview has seen many a release.
Since my LP copy is sealed, I am not
able to play it but I am sure the sound quality is just as good as the CD
version. The only difference being that
vinyl has a warmth that CD does not replicate.
The cover photo is indeed one of my
favorite early photos. The story
surrounding the motorcycle cap is told in more detail the fantastic book “
Elvis in Texas ” by Stanley Oberst…if you don’t have this book, you need
to get it!! The stories of Early
Elvis are fantastic!! This photo
was taken at the Midway Café in Dallas, TX circa October 1956.
Elvis was driving through town when Elvis spotted and Army/Navy store.
Elvis purchased the motorcycle cap and several pairs of pants that needed
to be altered to fit. During the
alteration Elvis, Eddie Fadal and Gene Smith stopped next door at the Midway Café
for some chow. An Oak Cliff reporter ( a
friend of the Café’s owner ) showed up and Elvis allowed photos to be taken.
Having done close comparison with the photos’ in Oberst’s book and
this LP cover photo, the background and table settings are identical.
The only mystery is that there is a “ star in oval ” design on the
front of the hat, which must have been digitally removed as it appears on this
LP cover. Regardless it’s a great
story and a great photo!!
CD technology was introduced as a
mass format in 1983 here in the US. Though
it took a few years to catch on, as CD players became more reliable, the CD
format took over. Vinyl continues to be
available in limited quantities for audiophile collectors.
But LP production declined severely during the late 80’s and was
deleted as a mass-produced sound replication format here in the US by the early
1990’s. Even the bootleggers adapted,
releasing the first Elvis boot CD “ The Hollywood Sessions ” Flashback E-CD
1001 DA in 1988, and by 1991 the LP format was no longer the format of choice.
The big advantage of digital sound replication is that sound sources that
previously could not realistically have been mastered and released on LP could
now be mastered and released on a digital format that gives much higher fidelity
and clarity. Hence the incredible number
of audience recorded Elvis shows that have made it to CD, most of which would
have been too muddy for reasonable release on LP.
Ernie Boyes Jr.