0
0
Rock and Roll Music features a nice mix of tunes by this prolific artist recorded from 1977 to the present. The inclusion of several magnificent, yet sorely underappreciated, B-side tracks is one of the things that makes this compilation so special. All but two of the songs here were recorded with The Attractions and the chemistry packs a nice hard punch.
It opens with “Lipstick Vogue,” a rockin’, danceable number with a killer bass line and excellent lyrics. This one, from the earlier years, really should have been given some airtime. “No Action” is fast and gritty with punk undertones. This is the first time I’ve heard “Tiny Steps.” This one is as dark as it is brilliant. “Mystery Dance” was recorded live at Hollywood High School back in 1978. I never would have imagined that any version of this tune could have more energy than the one most frequently played – but this is absolutely bursting with youthful vigor.
Everything else aside, this collection is worth having for the closing track alone, a previously unreleased demo version of “Welcome to the Working Week,” scheduled to be released on a forthcoming album later this year. Comprised of pure, clear Elvis vocals and a lone guitar, it is a tantalizingly short but insanely sweet slice of auditory bliss.
