After releasing three massive "decades" box sets covering the '50s, '60s, and '70s, RCA/BMG tried to distill "essence of Elvis" down to one disc on Elvis Presley - The Essential Collection. Despite the 28 track shoe-horn feat, it's an impossible task, one that will likely please few by trying to please too many. Several chosen tracks are clearly in the "non"-essential category, such as the dreadful Oktoberfest Omm-pah-pah of "Wooden Heart" and dreary chaff like "The Girl of My Best Friend," while leaving out, for instance, the delicious 1970 slice of overwrought lounge camp, "Kentucky Rain." ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide