Various Artists – The Black Roots of Elvis Presley

• Elvis’s original influences have been scrutinised and examined over the decades, and he was always quick to namecheck his main sources and inspirations.
• Let’s face it, had it not been for Presley, how many of us would have ever heard of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup?
• At the outset of his career there were few suitable original songs being submitted by music publishers, so it was inevitable that he would reach back and revive old favourites. • This compilation presents thirty examples, exploring Elvis’s Black music roots and featuring some of the memorable Blues, Gospel, R&B and Doo Wop numbers that he recorded.
• Other featured artists include Wynonie Harris, The Clovers, Little Junior Parker, Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters, Roy Hamilton, Lloyd Price, Little Richard, Smiley Lewis, Ivory Joe Hunter, Chuck Willis, The Coasters, and more.

Track Listing

1. BILLY BUNN & HIS BUDDIES - THAT'S WHEN YOUR HEARTACHES BEGIN
2. ARTHUR "BIG BOY" CRUDUP - THAT'S ALL RIGHT MAMA
3. WYNONIE HARRIS - GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT
4. THE CLOVERS - FOOL, FOOL, FOOL
5. ARTHUR GUNTER - BABY LET'S PLAY HOUSE
6. LITTLE JUNIOR'S BLUE FLAMES - MYSTERY TRAIN
7. THE EAGLES - TRYIN' TO GET TO YOU
8. ARTHUR "BIG BOY" CRUDUP - MY BABY LEFT ME
9. CLYDE MCPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS - MONEY HONEY
10. ROY HAMILTON - I'M GONNA SIT RIGHT DOWN AND CRY OVER YOU
11. ARTHUR "BIG BOY" CRUDUP - SO GLAD YOU'RE MINE
12. LLOYD PRICE - LAWDY MISS CLAWDY
13. WILLY & RUTH - LOVE ME
14. LITTLE RICHARD - LONG TALL SALLY
15. BERNARD HARDISON - TOO MUCH
16. LITTLE RICHARD - RIP IT UP
17. MARIE KNIGHT - TELL ME WHY
18. FLYING CLOUDS OF DETROIT - PEACE IN THE VALLEY
19. SMILEY LEWIS - ONE NIGHT
20. IVORY JOE HUNTER - I NEED YOU SO
21. THE ROBINS - (NOW AND THEN THERE'S) A FOOL SUCH AS I
22. VIKKI NELSON - LIKE A BABY
23. CLYDE MCPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS - SUCH A NIGHT
24. LOWELL FULSON - RECONSIDER BABY
25. CHUCK WILLIS - I FEEL SO BAD
26. THE COASTERS - GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!
27. TIPPY & THE CLOVERS - BOSSA NOVA BABY
28. THE COASTERS - LITTLE EGYPT
29. KETTY LESTER - LOVE LETTERS
30. BILLY WARD & HIS DOMINOES - RAGS TO RICHES