I first of all I would like to say that there was a very enjoyable narration through both CD given by Frank Page a veteran Louisiana Hayride announcer. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing the "young" Elvis. It is so interesting hearing the changes taking place in his voice and attitude as he makes his Hayride appearances.

As I sit here listening to these songs which have been taken from the original acetate recordings and transferred to CDs I am thinking as you probably will that this is Elvis at his most fresh and very best. These recordings we are listening to are so special because the original acetate discs they were recorded on were not commonly used at the time to record radio programs, and the fact that the acetate discs have survived the almost 50 years since then is an added bonus. Its really odd to hear that while we pay 20 bucks and up for concert and show tickets today that people only paid 60 cents a piece in the 1950s for tickets to the Hayride Broadcasts and got to see the likes of Elvis, Johnny Cash, and George Jones (at their beginnings I must add.)

In the first song on the album "That's Alright Mama" recorded during Elvis first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride in October of 1954 you can hear his still very young voice vibrate with nervousness. That just adds to the quality and uniqueness of this version of the song.

The second version of "That's Alright Mama" recorded during January 1955 is slowed down, not as frenzied and nervous as the first recording. Elvis sounds much more confident. More like the Elvis we would come to know.

"Blue Moon Of Kentucky," recorded in January of 1955 at Elvis' third appearance on the Hayride is "Very Choice." His vocals and the guitar part of the song are really strong. I know "Blue Moon" is a country song but WoW! Elvis and the boys really rock it up.

"I Don't Care" Also taken from Elvis third Hayride appearance sounds very much like a song from one of his future movies and has a very Buddy Hollyish feel to it.

In the beginning of the second c.d. there is an interesting reference made to Elvis performing in Texas and his opening act was two guys by the name of "Buddy (Mr. Holly) and Bob." I'm not sure of the time line but I have noticed a lot of similarities between Elvis and Buddy musically. Is this a case of Elvis imitating Buddy? Buddy imitating Elvis... or just a surprising coincidence?

In the first song on the second CD, "Good Rockin," recorded during April of 1955 Elvis new confidence level is just amazing. You can hear the attitude developing in his voice, and if I close my eyes I can almost see him moving across the stage, the audience screaming and going crazy at his feet.

The song "I'm Left Your Right She's Gone" also has a very Buddy Holly type sound to it, and was the flip side to Elvis big very controversial hit of the time "Baby Let's Play House" You have to remember this song seems tame by today's standards but in the 1950s songs that implied it was ok for couples to live together before marriage just were not that acceptable.

There's another gem of a song on this CD from Elvis Hayride appearance in August of 1955. A rockin version of the Chuck Berry song "Maybelline" the recording of this song is so special because it is the only recorded version of Elvis doing "Maybelline"

The Narrator states that as Elvis career took off, it was harder for him to be making the required number of Hayride appearances so Colonel Tom Parker after his attempt to buy the Hayride show failed, bought him out of his Hayride contract with the stipulation that Elvis would make one more appearance the proceeds of which would go to the charity of his choice. . And so Elvis Hayride appearances ended in December of 1956.

Below you'll find the list of songs on this 2-disk CD set.

Volume 1 - That's All Right, Mama - 10/16/54, Blue Moon of Kentucky - 10/16/54, Hearts of Stone - 1/15/55, That's All Right, Mama - 1/15/55, Tweedle Dee - 1/22/55, Money Honey - 1/22/55, Blue Moon of Kentucky - 1/22/55, I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine - 1/22/55, That's All Right Mama - 1/22/55

Volume 2 - Good Rockin' Tonight - 4/19/55, I Got A Woman - 4/19/55, Tweedle Dee - 4/30/55, I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - 7/16/55, Baby Let's Play House - 8/20/55, Maybellene - 8/20/55, That's All Right Mama - 8/20/55, I Was The One - 12/15/56, Love Me Tender - 12/15/56, Hound Dog - 12/15/56, Elvis Has Left the Building - 12/15/56