ELVIS PRESLEY/POT LUCK LSP-2523 (-62) LIVING STEREO GERMANY

From 1960 Elvis Presley issues were adapted to the RCA Living Stereo project. That existed 1957-64 - originally a strategy to get best possible audio for classical recordings it also came to incorporate popular music. Classic albums issued with a LSC prefix while pop music had LSP. However around 1964 the label realized most people buying the records wasn't using top of the line hi-fi equipment, but much crappier low-end turntables and recievers making it sound as dull as any other. So they cancelled the project and replaced it with "Dynagroove", more adapted to general playback conditions. From the 1960 "Elvis Is Back" to the 1964 "Rustabout" all original US Elvis albums were released in true living stereo. This is a German first press using the US tapes. I haven't heard the US original so I can't compare, although with the German high quality pressings at the time I'm confident it don't stand back at all. Not usually a big fan of sixties stereo, but if more had been like this I would have no problem. Considering the relatively primitive recording conditions with fewer channels and less options for mixing I'm amazed they could make it sound so - living. The audio is as good as the mono with big warm sound and genuine separation. That combined with an almost natural two channel mix makes it immense when listened to on a modern equipment. I still prefer the mono (LPM-2523) but don't think I heard any sixties stereo giving more pleasure. This is my first "Living Stereo" original, but certainly not my last. First German press had glossy label as shown here, thin glossy cover and ad inner with "STEREO- tip" in German and English. (FÖGÄ*)(ÄWY*) (GÖXÄ*) (ZÖNT*)