Elvis simply had too many chart-toppers to fit on one disc, particularly because their definition of number one hit was all-inclusive, spanning the globe and Billboard alike, so there were a lot of really good number one hits left behind, not to mention all the great singles including all of his Sun rockabilly sides that didnt climb their way to number one.

So, it was hardly a complete collection, thereby making a companion volume like 2nd to None welcome.

The only problem is, what is the criteria for this collection Is it the number one hits that didnt make it to 30 1 Hits The singles that made it to number two Other Top Ten hits Or album tracks All are reasonable approaches to a collection, but what the compilers have done with 2nd to None is borrow a little bit from all these approaches, winding up with a reasonably enjoyable hodgepodge of hits and anthems from his entire career.

Again, the attempt to present number one hits from all countries and all charts creates more problems than it solves, raising questions like why is the lousy kitsch artifact Rock-A-Hula Baby here instead of better singles from either earlier or later in his career The answer It reached number one in the U.K.

Similarly, the Sun-era I Forgot to Remember to Forget is here instead of Good Rocking Tonight or Baby Lets Play House because it hit number one on the country charts.

When the chart positions buried in the liner notes are examined, some of the questions are answered, but not all if this is truly supposed to be a companion introduction, showcasing Elvis at his best throughout his career, why do the compilers favor schlock to rock, choosing songs like If I Can Dream and Memories, which are neither big hits nor emblematic This instinct that pulls 2nd to None toward the middle of the road is puzzling and mildly irksome, resulting in an uneven collection, but at 30 tracks it can be easy to forgive the missteps, since much of the record consists of music that is nothing less than terrific.

Also included are two bonus tracks a previously unreleased Im a Roustabout, which is fine but not remarkable, and Paul Oakenfolds clubtastic remix of Rubberneckin, an attempt to re-create the excitement of JXLs 2002 hit remix of A Little Less Conversation that only points out how good the previous hit was.

Side note: how are these two songs bonus tracks if 2nd to None has only been issued with this track listing) It can be easy to forgive the missteps, since much of the record consists of music that is nothing less than terrific.

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine Release of this CD: 2003, October, 7 CD RCA BMG Music (USA), Cat.

Printed in USA Credits: Producer Ernst Mikael Jorgensen, Ray Bardani Tracklist: 01.

Elvis Presley Greatest Hits Rar