•From Elvis In Memphis...1969...american studios in memphis.
ask any Elvis fan what his greatest album was/is...this one is most likely the answer you will receive.
the sessions were very disciplined and structured...chips moman as producer.
the memphis players were the best group Elvis had recorded with up to this point in his career.
the songs thru out these sessions were all well written.
but it was Elvis...his level of committment...the depth of his musical soul laid bare and the quality and richness of his voice...that win the day.
this 12 track lp would not include suspicious minds,kentucky rain or don't cry daddy.
in the ghetto would close the album.
but the others are among his best.
including...
~wearin' that loved on look...opening cut
~only the strong survive
~long black limosuine...albums best non single
~i'll hold you in my heart (til i can hold you in my arms)
~power of my love
~true love travels on a gravel road
~any day now...b-side to in the ghetto
if you've spun it...you already know.
•Elvis Country...1971...recorded in june of '70 at the nashville marathon.
Elvis by now had cemented his comeback and returned triumphantly to live performances.
so in the summer he returns to nashville to lay down some singles and enough material for 3 albums...the 2nd...Elvis Country...released in '71...has stood the test of time as one of his best ever...the only real rival to from Elvis in memphis.
the songs ran thru Elvis' musical taste.
but he seemed drawn to country...thus this lp was born.
as Elvis can be heard saying on the session tapes...it dont have to be straight country.
it wasn't.
there is a looseness and freedom at the marathon sessions that were not in memphis.
Elvis was in charge....free jammin' and alive again.
everyone in the studio....together..."live".
some of his best music.
and backed by...in my opinion...the best session group he would ever play with...along with his favorite guitarist James Burton.
this 12 track masterpiece of brilliance would have the song...i was born 10,000yrs ago played between cuts...running thru the album like a link.
stand alones include some of his most heartfelt,brilliant vocals ever recorded...
~i really don't want to know...one of his very best vocal performances on any studio cut.
~funny how time slips away...one of his most beautiful vocals and james burton's best pick'n.
~the fool
~faded love
~there goes my everything
~i washed my hands in muddy water
~tomorrow never comes
~whole lotta shakin goin on...recorded in sept...and arguably the wildest thing he ever recorded...the first time there was a "hint" that something was wrong...or "off".
~make the world go away...closing emotional track
just a beautiful brilliant album.
LIVE:
•as recorded at madison square garden...june 1972...evening concert...the 3rd of 4 consecutive sell-outs at the garden.
in my opinion it is his best live album.
he never sounded better.
he was nervous and had a challenge and that always brought out his A game.
he and the tcb band by now were well in sync and on record...never sounded better.
the show stopper...an american trilogy.
some others...
~never been to spain
~proud mary
~polk salad annie
~for the good times
~hound dog...re-worked
~i cant stop loving you
~the impossible dream
~suspicious minds
brilliant album.
•aloha from hawaii-via satellite.....recorded jan 1973....his single greatest concert.
its better visually(on dvd) but the album...a double...is spectacular.
almost every cut brought down the house.
the best include...
~burning love
~something
~you gave me a mountain
~steamroller
~its over
~what now my love
~welcome to my world
~im so lonesome i could cry
~i'll remember you
~suspicious minds
~an american trilogy...the best performance of this show stopper.
his zenith.
Double Albums:
to combat the many bootlegg releases...EP Enterprises created Follow That Dream...a collectors label...to release a treasure chest of studio cuts and unreleased concerts.
im gonna focus on 2 of the best releases featuring studio recordings.
•Elvis Is Back...his 1st session in 1960...and one of his best albums.
amazingly not included in the original 12 track lp were its now or never,are you lonesome tonight,stuck on you or fame and fortune.
on this release...you get the original 12 track album and alternate studio tracks...plus the hit singles.
for die hards only...but its incredible to hear him labor thru take after take of these great songs.
~make me know it
~solider boy
~the girl of my best friend
~girl next door went'a walkin
~dirty,dirty feeling
~such a night
~reconsider baby
and the bonus of alternate recordings of the hit singles.
must have for any Elvis collector.
released in both CD and vinyl.
i prefer the vinyl.
•The Jungle Room Sessions...in '76...Elvis would conduct what would be his last recording session....in the jungle room...@graceland.
2 albums...from ep blvd and moody blue...would come from these sessions.
some great singles...hurt,for the heart,moody blue,way down...would be released.
the songs were dark...fitting his mood...and have a strong country flavor.
but the fact he is recording in his beloved home brings something "different" to the session tapes.
he is much more at ease and relaxed.
some of the best tracks include...
~i'll never fall in love again
~solitare
~danny boy
~pledging my love
~she thinks i still care
~he'll have to go
~blue eyes crying in the rain
whats missing is Elvis' first attempt at a studio version of america the beautiful.
apparently his band....the same group he had been cris-crossing the country with...one of the few times they would record together in the studio...didnt know what he was talking about.
they had been doing the song live since '75.
but didnt know what he meant when he said..."America.........America damn it".
one take was laid down...deemed un-usable...and sadly...recorded over.
but what was left was well worth the listen.
E
L
V
I
S
