Viva Doc Pomus: Songs For Elvis (The Demos)

"A Teenager In Love," "Save The Last Dance For Me," "This Magic Moment," "Can’t Get Used To Losing You." There’s not much in early rock history that can equal those songs.

Doc Pomus wrote hit after hit with an array of songwriting partners, Mort Shuman chief among them. Together they created a template for the sound of the late 1950s and early ’60s, writing timeless classics covered by artists around the globe.

One artist was King: Elvis Presley.

Pomus/Shuman were the names on the sheet music for many a remarkable Elvis recording. "Viva Las Vegas," "(Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame," "She’s Not You"—all classics. So, where do all those songs start? The demos.

Painstakingly transferred, restored and mastered from the original acetates with full approval and cooperation of the Pomus estate, Viva Doc Pomus: Songs For Elvis (The Demos) explores the recordings submitted to Presley for his consideration to record. Some (the aforementioned hits and more) were recorded and released by Elvis, while others fell by the wayside for reasons lost to time, or were recorded by other artists, and we’re left to imagine what might have been had The King recorded and released them.

Available on double LP Opaque Orange colored vinyl for Record Sore Day, the origins of rock ’n’ roll are in full force on Viva Doc Pomus: Songs For Elvis (The Demos). Hear what Elvis heard for yourself and wonder what could have been! Viva Doc Pomus indeed!

LP 1

1. Turn Me Loose 2:16
2. A Mess Of Blues 2:53
3. (Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame 2:14
4. Kiss Me Quick 2:51
5. She’s Not You 1:39
6. Gonna Get Back Home Somehow 2:30
7. Suspicion 2:34
8. Pot Luck (Pomus / Shuman Version) 2:34
9. Side Two
10. Viva Las Vegas 2:34
11. Lady Luck 1:46
12. (It’s A) Long Lonely Highway 2:23
13. Kissin’ Cousins 2:25
14. I Need Somebody To Lean On 3:17
15. Girl Happy 2:04
16. One Way Ticket To The Blues 1:56
17. Pot Luck (Pomus / Spector Version) 1:46
18. Side Three
19. Kissin’ Fool 2:14
20. I Walk The Muddy Road To Love 2:08
21. What Every Woman Lives For 2:36
22. I Wish I Were In His Shoes 2:27
23. I’m A Man 0:30
24. Clambake (Version 1) 2:41
25. Double Trouble (Version 1) 3:11
26. Pot Luck (Pomus / Jeffreys Version) 2:03

LP 2

1. Havin’ A Ball 2:12
2. Double Trouble (Version 2) 2:12
3. Clambake (Version 2) 1:58
4. Bring My Poor Heart Back To Me 2:45
5. Headin’ For A Heartache 2:00
6. Easy Come Easy Go 2:20
7. . . . Presley Liked Them 2:05