Details : 1985 RCA Records, Inc.\n\nOriginally Released January 1985\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Another release in the series of 50th birthday celebrations for Elvis Presley, A Valentine Gift for You was an album of Presley love songs, just right for that special someone in your life, and released in time for Valentine's Day. From "Are You Lonesome Tonight" to "Can't Help Falling in Love," Presley crooned his way through a collection of romantic ballads that ranged from the smoldering ("Fever") to the folkie ("Tomorrow Is a Long Time"). An imaginatively chosen and well-sequenced selection. (Pressed on red vinyl.) ~ William Ruhlmann\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nRCA was never at a loss repackaging Elvis Presley material even during the King's lifetime--and it's only accelerated since his death. This 1985 compilation of '50s and '60s ballads, both bluesy and soft, comes from a period when the label was assembling theme compilations, the concept behind this one obviously being love. And it covers all those contradictory Presley bases--that is, love in all its forms--from raw sex ("Fever," "It Feels So Right") to rejection (the wonderful "I Was the One," "Are You Lonesome Tonight?") to his stock-in-trade sincere tenderness (a majority of the tracks here, including, of course, the obligatory "Can't Help Fallin' in Love"). "Fame and Fortune" remains one of his greatest post-Army ballads, and his underrated version of Kitty Lester's "Love Letters" matches the original--but the major buzz at the time of this release was the inclusion here of Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time," previously available only as a bonus cut on the dreadful Spinout! soundtrack. As Dylan related to an interviewer, this is the cover version of his own material that he has "treasured the most." --Bill Holdship \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nHappy Valentine's Day, February 15, 2004 \nReviewer: Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States)\n This CD was released back in the early days of CDs and is long out of print. It is a compilation that has a "love songs" theme. Of course, most of the songs that Elvis recorded were love songs, so they had a lot to choose from. To their credit, they avoided using too many of the most obvious choices. The only really well known songs here are "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "Can't Help Falling in Love". They instead chose to feature some of his great lesser known songs like "Love Letters" and "Tomorrow is a Long Time". This is a worthwhile CD, and if you can find a cheap used copy, it is well worth the money. \n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nRick Rowe (CD), Engineer\n\nAlbum Notes\nEvery few years since Elvis Presley's death, RCA Records has released a collection of Elvis' love songs, usually in conjunction with Valentine's Day. A VALENTINE GIFT FOR YOU is the label's 1985 entry in the series. These packages vary in length and track selection, although each invariably includes the biggest romantic hits: "Love Me Tender," "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "Can't Help Falling in Love." Although it contains nothing that can't be found on numerous other Elvis discs, A VALENTINE GIFT FOR YOU is an enjoyable repackaging that successfully mixes familiar and lesser-known tracks. Among the highlights are Elvis' version of Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" and the jazzy "I Need Somebody to Lean On" from the VIVA LAS VEGAS soundtrack. With its focus on down-tempo romantic ballads, A VALENTINE GIFT FOR YOU is a fine disc to pop on when it's time to turn the lights down low and whisper sweet nothings in your lover's ear.
