Review | If I Can Dream Deluxe Box Set, 17 track extended limited edition

Anything That's Part Of You

Unbelievable, what a beautiful new recording. This so easily could have been part of the 14 chosen for the regular release. It is one that I will enjoy for a long time I think. David Troedson.

What Now My Love

My favourite track is 'What Now My Love' I have always loved it but for me the way this builds is even more powerful than the original. Yvonne Hart.

Heartbreak Hotel

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and rock 'n' roll are probably not an easy fit. Unlike a song such as 'Anything That's Part Of You', the quality of the work of the Royal Philharmonic is wasted, professional,but not in the league of the other tracks - it is just is out of place. But still I have to say, it is not a bad effort. David Troedson.

'Heartbreak Hotel', this is one I'm not so keen on as again the original is perfect not sure about the big band instrumental in the middle and some loud percussion but maybe that's just me. Yvonne Hart.

The presentation of the Collectors box is first class. For the Collector's check out 'Heartbreak Hotel'. This is so good I've bought it twice, so I can keep one in mint condition. By JKM 30 October 2015.

Burning Love

This is a simply great album. Somehow the brilliance and nuisances of Elvis' voice is clearer on these tracks and I was actually blown away by this. My favorite Elvis song is 'Burning Love' and I was wondering how this was going to sound on this album. The answer is that's it's more awesome than ever! The only track I think that doesn't work with the new backing is 'In The Ghetto'. Steve Tulinsky.

I'm sorry, but 'Burning Love' is an absolute abomination. A classic Elvis rock song reduced to schmaltz. Sounds like a Pat Boone rendition of 'Tutti Frutti'. Please just leave the best music ever produced alone. Ean Jackson.

I have listened to the CD twice so far the beginning of 'Burning Love' is I think perfect for the song the overall track is very up tempo which I really enjoyed and although the fazed ending was over long I always thought Elvis and the backing singers were never sure how to end it! But I like the final note quite punchy. Yvonne Hart.

It's Now Or Never

'It's Now or Never' was always a classic but I did enjoy this version Elvis' voice is wonderfully clear. Yvonne Hart.

Love Me Tender

The introduction to 'Love me Tender' is quite perfect I love the way the strings bring a wonderful silky feel to Elvis' beautiful vocal. Yvonne Hart.

My heartfelt appreciation to record producer Don Reedman for pursuing his brilliant idea to record Elvis with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He and his production partner, Nick Patrick, have done a fantastic job! I received my CD today and have listened to it for hours. I am an Elvis fan who thought that his recordings should not be tampered with ..., in anyway. In particular, a song like 'Love Me Tender' which I have always felt was 'pure' just as recorded. But today as I listened to 'Love Me Tender' I found it to be so hauntingly beautiful that it bought tears to my eyes. Sandy Van Horn.

Fever

I had already heard 'Fever' a few times and it took me a while to appreciate how good this is a very bluesie and quite long introduction Elvis and Michael Buble sound good together however I don't think I will ever love it as much as Elvis original live performance of the song, but it has grown on me and I suppose it needed to be quite different and it's certainly that. Yvonne Hart.

'Fever' with Michael Buble is 100% superb by Elvis and 0% with Buble. The rest of the tracks are better in their original version. I am an Elvis fan of nearly 60 years and prefer the original Elvis, not this sanitized version. But 'It's Now Or Never', 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and 'And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind' are very good. Neil Kidd (USA).

Bridge Over Troubled Water

'Bridge Over Troubled Water' is beautiful Elvis had made it his own from the first time he sang it I live that Elvis voice is so pure I love the ending. Yvonne Hart.

'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'How Great Thou Art', 'An American Trilogy', 'If I Can Dream', all sound even more powerful, which I didn't think was possible. Elvis is truly timeless. As Mr. Reedman said 'The RPO and Abbey Road is as good as it gets - and Elvis deserves as good as it gets! Sandy Van Horn.

And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind

I have a better appreciation of 'And the Grass a Won't Pay No Mind'. Elvis' voice sounds so sweet and clear I like the backing vocals on this track Yvonne Hart.

You've Lost That Loving Feeling

'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' this was one of Elvis' show stoppers in Vegas and I really like this arrangement. Yvonne Hart.

There's Always Me

I like 'There's Always Me' it sounds very smooth with just enough from the backing singers I have always lived the ending to this song so was pleased with this one. Yvonne Hart.

'There's Always Me' is another one of my favorite Elvis ballads that the addition of the orchestra made even more mesmerizing. Sandy Van Horn.

Can't Help Falling In Love

'Can't Help Falling In Love' is just beautiful I was a bit concerned the new arrangement would spoil what was for me already perfect. It is still perfect so I'm happy and again I love the ending. Yvonne Hart.

In The Ghetto

'In the Ghetto', love the start to this track I have always preferred the song as recorded at American before the other voices were added just Elvis for me is perfect but this does sound very good again would have prefered a shorter ending as with 'Burning Love' it's a little long for me. Yvonne Hart.

How Great Thou Art

'How Great Thou Art' is of course fantastic this is very much like the original and Elvis was always so at ease with his gospel songs. I love the later versions which were sung at a faster tempo with Elvis. Yvonne Hart.

Steamroller Blues

Steamroller Blues is to my ears fairly close to the original again love the ending. Yvonne Hart.

Even if you are no great Elvis fan try this, it just might change your opinion. To all Elvis fans buy, buy, buy so we could have a volume 2. The best of Elvis, but with extra padding Wonderfully blended orchestral element with the voice. The deluxe box set is beautifully packaged. Packed full of my favorite Elvis tracks, and how sexy does 'Steamroller Blues' sound?! ... Very sexy! By JW on 30 Oct. 2015.

An American Trilogy

'An American Trilogy' again another Elvis classic this one is on elvis.com.au and I love listening and watching it when I first heard it and realised there was no flute I felt it had lost something but on listening again I think the trumpet adds to the whole Each time I hear it I imagine Elvis punching the air after the drum roll I LOVE IT and again a perfect ending. Yvonne Hart.

If I Can Dream

'If I Can Dream' for me this was one of Elvis' just perfect performances I  and how do you improve on perfection. love this song so much so was worried it would be spoilt I do like  the strings but to Yvonne Hart.

Anything That's Part Of You

'Anything That's Part Of You' is such a sweet song and I did enjoy this one. Yvonne Hart.

What Now My Love

'What Now My Love' is for me one of the best tracks as I have watched it many times again in the online video synced to Elvis Aloha performance (watch video below) and I just love watching and hearing it. Elvis' voice and only his voice is a fabulous tack it builds to a wonderful finish. Yvonne Hart.

Heartbreak Hotel

'Heartbreak Hotel', this is one I'm not so keen on as again the original is perfect not sure about the big band instrumental in the middle and some loud percussion but maybe that's just me. Yvonne Hart.

The presentation of the Collectors box is first class. For the Collector's check out 'Heartbreak Hotel'. This is so good I've bought it twice, so I can keep one in mint condition. By JKM 30 October 2015.

This is just fantastic every track has something to love. As a whole I think it is a truly inspirational CD and as so many people are saying something Elvis would no doubt have wanted to do I do hope it brings new music lovers to an appreciation of Elvis and what a truly incredible artist he was well done to all concerned and a special thanks to Priscilla - Elvis would be very proud of her for allowing this project to go ahead and her involvement in the production of it a big thumbs up I love it. I'm sure this CD will win a whole new audience who will appreciate what a fantastic voice Elvis possessed Love It Very Much Yvonne Hart.

I have been an Elvis Presley fan since I heard him sing 'Heartbreak Hotel' when I was a teenager. I saw him in person twice and he was magical and amazing. I still feel happy when I hear him sing.  However the only 'remix' songs I like are the ones he sings with Lisa Marie. I feel that Elvis himself wouldn't like most of the remix songs, they don't sound like his style. But when I heard him singing with the Philharmonic Orchestra it gave me chill bumps and brought tears to my eyes. So beautiful. Thank you for this beautiful album! Sincerely, Carole Haynes (USA).

I can see why some fans object to anyone messing around with our much loved songs. To me now in my mid 60s after being a fan since 1961 I'm concerned that the fan base is rapidly aging. Anything & I mean anything that gets Elvis back in the public eye is fine by me. After 'A little less conversation' there has been a lot of disappointments in the remix departments but at last (Eureka) we have found it. I know it's early days but a lot of people who are just casual Elvis fans wouldn't have known that Elvis had covered Neil Diamond 'The grass won't pay no mind' but as we all know there are dozens of gems hidden away on albums that could be given this treatment. 'Heart of Rome,Silvia & Let it be me' just to name three. All in all a well thought out album. Christopher Hart (UK).

Sounds great!  The idea of adding a full orchestra, rather than additional vocals, really works. I wasn't impressed with things like the Christmas duet album as it generally sounded like someone (say Anne Murray) listening to an Elvis record on the radio and singing along. But this is another deal altogether. Congratulations to all involved. Jeff Missinne.

I was not sure what to expect with the CD but was looking forward to hearing it. Wow it blew me away from the start, Elvis' voice is superb and orchestra compliments him so much.
It felt like Elvis was in my living room singing to me and I must say I shed some tears listening to this wonderful album. Thank you Priscilla for giving us this experience and Elvis would love it. I have loved this man for 50 plus years now and I never tire of listening and watching Elvis. Long live the King. Anne Titman (Australia).