EAP Index World: Elvis Sings Christmas Songs (EP

Title:

Elvis Sings Christmas Songs

Label:

RCA Victor [EPA 4408]

Format:

Number of tracks:

Running time:

8:25

Type of album:

Studio / Compilation

Linked to:

Official discography

Year:

1957

Recorded:

September 5 & 7, 1957

Released:

October 16, 1957

Singles:

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Elvis Sings Christmas Songs was Elvis' first Christmas EP on RCA. It contained four festive tracks recorded at Radio Recorders Studio 1 in Hollywood and previously available on the LP "Elvis' Christmas Album".

In January 1957, Elvis recorded his first gospel tracks in his career. They were released in April of the same year on an EP entitled "Peace in the Valley", to test the public's reaction to a possible record containing only religious songs.

The success of the release made RCA see that there was a lot of earning potential in the idea and, why not, in the claim that Elvis should have his own Christmas album, as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra had been doing annually for some time.

So the project was put on the agenda and Elvis began working with the label on an album that would redefine the spirit of Christmas releases. As for the Gospel LP, the idea was put on the back burner to facilitate Elvis' schedule, which also included soundtrack recordings and filming.

With the Colonel's marketing ploy, sending his pupil to the army in Germany in 1958, he was only able to fulfill his dream on his return in 1960, releasing his first Gospel album, "His Hand in Mine".

In September 1957 Elvis began recording the original eight tracks for his first Christmas LP, "Elvis' Christmas Album", which hit stores on October 15 of that year with the addition of the "Peace in the Valley" EP as bonus final tracks.

Before the end of 1957, the edition released on October 15 of that year was already sold out and the album had sold over 3 million copies, having also spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums, thanks to the contribution of the January EP which had been a bestseller.

To help with publicity, RCA issued the "Elvis Sings Christmas Songs" EP the following day, featuring four of the songs that the label felt had the most sales potential. "Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me)" and "Santa Claus is Back in Town" had been slated for a single in early October, but the work was ultimately scrapped after internal discussions that led to doubt about the songs that should be promoted.

If on the one hand there was consensus about those tracks, on the other hand there was the agreement that "Blue Christmas" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas", an acclaimed musical icon, would do better in the singles market. The EP was then created to end the argument and release the four tracks together.

The work includes the following tracks:

ORIGINAL EP

SIDE A

1. Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me)

2. Blue Christmas

SIDE B

3. Santa Claus is Back in Town

4. I'll Be Home For Christmas

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RECORDING SESSIONS

Dates:

September 5 & 7, 1957

Studio:

Radio Recorders Studio 1

Location:

Hollywood, Califórnia

Musicians:

Voice: Elvis Presley
Vocals (track): Red West
Guitar: Scotty Moore, Chip Young, Harold Bradley, Peter Drake
Bass: Bob Moore
Drums: DJ Fontana, Murray 'Buddy' Harman
Piano: David Briggs
Organ: Henry Slaughter
Timpany: Murray 'Buddy' Harman
Bongos: Murray 'Buddy' Harman
Saxophone: Rufus Long
Backing Vocals: The Jordanaires, Millie Kirkham

Producer:

Steve Sholes
Sound engineer:

Thorne Nogar

SEPTEMBER 5, 1957
Treat Me Nice H2PB 5523-15
My Wish Came True (Tryout) H2PB 5524-NA
Blue Christmas H2PB 5525-03

SEPTEMBER 7, 1957
Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem H2PB 5530-04
Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) H2PB 5531-09
Santa Claus Is Back In town H2PB 5532-07
I'll Be Home For Christmas H2PB 5533-15

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SESSION LOGS