Made in Germany - The Complete Private Recordings
Label:
MRS [MRS10057059]
Format:
Quadruple CD
Number of tracks:
88
Running time:
263:00
Type of album:
Studio / Home recording
Linked to:
Unofficial discography
Year:
2019
Recorded:
December 21-31, 1958 & April 1959
Released:
March 8, 2019
Singles:
---
Made in Germany - The Complete Private Recordings is the first collection of recordings from the period of Elvis serving in the US Army in Germany, between 1958 and 1959, to bring the complete material from the famous Bad Nauheim tapes in excellent audio quality. In addition, the box set features the "Elvis Sails" EP and all major studio recordings from 1957 and 1958.
Rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley spent less than 18 months in Germany, but his presence left an indelible mark on the small town of Hesse, where he served in the US Army.
On October 1, 1958, Elvis docked at the port of Bremerhaven aboard the USS Randall and from there traveled by train to the American base in Friedberg, near Frankfurt, where fans and the press warmly welcomed him. With more than 50 million records sold, the singer was already an internationally acclaimed star.
The next day he moved to Ray Barracks in Friedberg to fulfill his 18 months of military service in an armored tank unit. Thanks to his superiors, however, Private Presley enjoyed some advantages and had limited functions. Part of these "perks" meant that he was able to live outside the barracks in a short time, staying at the Grunewald Hotel in the nearby town of Bad Nauheim.
There, he was surrounded by his grandmother Minnie Mae, his father Vernon and two bodyguards. Elvis' only refuge was his room, as he was often harassed by fans, but patiently signed autographs and said a few kind words to everyone when he had to come and go from duty. His fun was playing an old piano and singing a few songs some nights, moments he really loved.
When Bill Haley launched his European tour in Frankfurt at the end of that October 1958, Elvis visited him in his dressing room and it got him very excited about the idea of making music again.
When his battalion gained Christmas leave on December 20, 1958, Elvis went straight to a BMW dealership and bought a Model 507. The next day, he made a point of showing the car to family members and some friends who had arrived for the holiday parties, among which was a newfound acquaintance named Charlie Hodge. There were also one of his guests, Elisabeth Stefaniak, musician Cliff Gleaves and Lamar Fike, among other members of the Memphis Mafia.
Sometime around December 25th, Elvis and his friends sat in the living room with a guitar in hand and Charlie turned on his personal recorder. There, they feasted and enjoyed themselves for an hour playing and singing the songs that came to their minds that could be recorded for RCA. Around the same time, another one-hour tape saw the boys having fun with a few more songs, this time with Elvis playing the piano.
As 1959 enters its fourth month, Elvis iwas already living in a house at 14 Goethestrasse in Bad Nauheim, after being practically kicked out of the Grunewald due to the constant noise coming from his room and the uproar that fans caused in front of the building. On the part of RCA, earlier that year there was concern about the possible lack of material until Elvis returned to the US in 1960, and the record company pressured Colonel Parker to ask his protege for new recordings.
The agent, however, limited himself to sending a microphone and a professional recorder along with a letter that said, among other things: "Just Elvis singing at the piano should be enough to please the fans."
And that's what happened on the third and final tape. Elvis is committed, which is shown with 10 incredible takes of "He Knows Just What I Need" and another four of "His Hand in Mine", the latter famous for giving the title to his 1960 Gospel LP. Highlights in the tape feature the renditions of "Cool Water", "Stand By Me" and "Oh, Lonesome Me", as well as "Like a Baby" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", both officially recorded in 1960. In the extras, "The Fool", which Elvis would record in 1969, is a great must have.
Needless to say, these tapes were never officially released and ended up being forgotten in time. Some excerpts were made available sporadically, as was the case with Memphis Recording Service (MRS)'s "Off-Duty with Private Presley" in 2009 (although that release only featured a May 1958 recording in Waco, Texas, and part of a second recording of April 1959) and "Are You Lonesome Tonight? - The Uncut Bad Nauheim Tapes" from the VIK label, which brought them to the public uncut in 2018.
Finally, it fell to MRS to release the complete material under the title "Made in Germany - The Complete Private Recordings" in 2019, which would bring the audio remastered and recovered on a quadruple CD. The must have of this work, in addition to the painstaking audio improvement process, is the 152-page hardcover book that contains rare unpublished photographs and documents, complemented by a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of the Elvis recording performed during 1957-58, before focusing on the private tapes from Germany.
"Made in Germany - The Complete Private Recordings" features the following tracks:
CD 1
SEPTEMBER 22, 1958 INTERVIRES ("ELVIS SAILS" EP)
1. Press Interview (Brooklyn Army Terminal)
2. Elvis Presley Newsreel Interview
3. Pat Hernon Interviews Elvis in the U.S.S. Randall
"GUITAR REEL 1"
4. I'm Beginning to Forget You
5. I Can't Help it (End only) / Mona Lisa
6. I Can't Help it / Guitar Jam
7. Danny Boy / Danny Boy (incomplete)
8. Loving You
9. Guitar / I'm Beginning to Forget You
10. Dialogue / I'm Beginning to Forget You
11. Dialogue / Santa Claus Is Back In Town / Dialogue / Loving You / Dialogue
12. Dialogue / Loving You / Dialogue
13. I'm Beginning to Forget You (Reprise)
14. I'm Beginning to Forget You (Elvis Reprise)
CD 2
"GUITAR REEL 2"
1. He Knows Just What I Need / Working On the Building
2. He Knows Just What I Need (LFS x 2)
3. He Knows Just What I Need (Complete 1)
4. He Knows Just What I Need (Complete 2)
5. He Knows Just What I Need (Rehearsing / LFS x 2)
6. He Knows Just What I Need (Complete 3)
7. He Knows Just What I Need (LFS / Rehearsal)
8. He Knows Just What I Need (FS / Complete)
9. Cool Water
10. Like a Baby
11. His Hand in Mine (Complete / Ending)
12. Young Love (Red West Singing)
13. Her Hand in Mine
14. Return to Me / Her Hand in Mine (Rehearsal ending)
15. Her Hand in Mine (Complete 2)
16. Her Hand in Mine (Complete 3 / Cut)
17. Just a Closer Walk With Thee / If I Didn't Care For You / Are You Sincere
18. Are You Lonesome Tonight? / Once Upon a Time
19. Stand By Me (Damaged sections)
20. Just a Closer Walk With Thee / Take My Hand, Precious Lord
21. Oh, Lonesome Me
CD 3
"PIANO REEL"
1. I Asked the Lord
2. Apron Strings #1
3. Soldier Boy / Such a Night (One line) / Soldier Boy
4. I Asked the Lord #3 (Reprise)
5. Piano / Earth Angel
6. I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (Fast)
7. Que Será, Será / Hound Dog / Piano / At the Hop
8. I'll Take You Home, Kathleen (Slow)
9. Apron Strings (Reprise)
10. It's Been So Long, Darling
11. Earth Angel (Intro) / I Will Be True
12. There's No Tomorrow
13. I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (Slow 2) / Que Será, Será / Hound Dog
14. I Asked the Lord (Reprise 2)
15. I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (Fast reprise)
16. Apron Strings (Reprise 2)
17. The Titles Will Tell
18. At the Hop / Give Me My Oil Lamp / Que Será, Será / Hound Dog / Piano
19. Send Me Some Lovin'
20. The Fool (Take 1)
21. The Fool (Takes 2FS, 3FS, 4)
CD 4
ESSENTIAL 1957 MASTERS
1. All Shook Up (With Studio Chat & Count In)
2. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)
3. That's When Your Heartaches Begin
4. I Believe
5. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
6. It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
7. Blueberry Hill
8. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
9. Is It So Strange
10. Don't Leave Me Now (With Studio Chat & Count In)
11. I Beg Of You
12. One Night (With You)
13. True Love
14. I Need You So
15. Blue Christmas
16. My Wish Came True
17. White Christmas (With Studio Chat & Count In)
18. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
19. Silent Night
20. Don’t
21. Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
22. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
23. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
24. I'll Be Home For Christmas
ESSENTIAL 1958 MASTERS
25. Doncha' Think It's Time (Single Master)
26. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
27. I Need Your Love Tonight
28. A Big Hunk O' Love
29. (Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I
30. I Got Stung
31. Doncha' Think It's Time (LP Master)
32. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (Undubbed Version)
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VINYL VERSION
Made in Germany - Private Recordings
Label:
MRS [MRV40005859]
Format:
Double LP
Number of tracks:
29
Running time:
62:00
Type of album:
Home recording
Linked to:
Unofficial discography
Year:
2019
Recorded:
December 21-31, 1958 & April 1959
Released:
2019
Singles:
---
Made in Germany - Private Recordings was released by MRS shortly after the CD box set. The limited deluxe edition included two LPs with the best tracks recorded in Germany in 1958 and 1959 and a 24-page booklet compiling what had been presented in the 152-page book of the CD edition.
The work includes the following tracks:
LP 1
SIDE A
GUITAR REEL
1. I'm Beginning to Forget You
2. Mona Lisa
3. I Can't Help it / Guitar
4. Danny Boy (Complete and LFS)
5. Loving You
6. He Knows Just What I Need (FS / Complete)
7. Cool Water
SIDE B
GUITAR REEL
8. Like a Baby
9. His Hand in Mine (Complete / Ending)
10. Her Hand in Mine
11. Return to Me / Her Hand in Mine (Rehearsing Ending)
12. Her Hand in Mine (Complete 2)
13. Her Hand in Mine (Complete 3)
14. Just a Closer Walk With Thee / If I Didn't Care / Are You Sincere
15. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
16, Oh, Lonesome Me
LP 2
SIDE A
PIANO REEL
1. Soldier Boy / Such a Night (One line)/ Soldier Boy
2. I Asked the Lord (Reprise 1)
3. Piano / Earth Angel
4. I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (Fast)
5. I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (Slow)
SIDE B
PIANO REEL
6. Apron Strings (Reprise)
7. It's Been So Long, Darling
8. I Will Be True
9. There's No Tomorrow
10. The Titles Will Tell
11. At the Hop / Give Me My Oil Lamp /Que Será, Será / Hound Dog / Piano
12. Send Me Some Lovin'
13. The Fool
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RECORDING SESSIONS
January - September 1957; June 10-11 and December 21-31, 1958; April 1959
Studio:
Radio Recorders Studio 1
RCA Studio B
Room 10, Hotel Grunewald, Bad Nauheim
14 Goethestrasse, Bad Nauheim
Location:
Hollywood, California
Nashville, Tennessee
Friedburg, Alemanha
DECEMBER 21-31, 1958 (PIANO TAPE)
Musicians:
December 1958 / April 1959
Voice: Elvis Presley, Vernon Presley, Red West, Lamar Fike, Charlie Hodge, Rex Mansfield, Al Fortas
Piano: Elvis Presley
Guitar: Elvis Presley, Charlie Hodge
Backing Vocals: Vernon Presley, Red West, Lamar Fike, Charlie Hodge, Rex Mansfield, Al Fortas
He Knows Just What I Need / Working On The Building
DECEMBER 21-31, 1958 (GUITAR TAPE)
I'm Beginning To Forget You
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
Reading the news (not Elvis)
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
He Knows Just What I Need
Cool Water
Like A Baby / talking
His Hand In Mine
Young Love (Red West)
Her Hand In Mine
Return To Me (part)
Her Hand In Mine
Her Hand In Mine
Her Hand In Mine
Her Hand In Mine
Just A Closer Walk With Thee (part) / If I Didn't Care (part)
Are You Sincere (part)
Are You Lonesome Tonight? / Once Upon A Time (1 line)
Stand By Me
Stand By Me
Stand By Me
Just A Closer Walk With Thee (part)
Take My Hand, Precious Lord (part)
Oh, Lonesome Me
DECEMBER 21-31, 1958 (GUITAR TAPE)
I'm Beginning To Forget You
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
Guitar Piece (unknown)
Danny Boy (Take 1)
Danny Boy (rehearsing a few lines)
Danny Boy (Take 2)
Loving You
I'm Beginning To Forget You (Vernon)
Dialogue / I'm Beginning To Forget You (Elvis)
Dialogue / Christmas / Santa Claus Is Back In Town / Loving You / dialogue
More dialogue / Loving You (not Elvis)
Lamar Fike recording radio commercials
I'm Beginning To Forget You (Vernon)
I'm Beginning To Forget You (Elvis)
I'm Beginning To Forget You (incomplete)
I'm Beginning To Forget You (incomplete)
I'm Beginning To Forget You (incomplete)
I'm Beginning To Forget You (complete)
APRIL 1959
I Asked the Lord #1
I Asked the Lord #2
Apron Strings #1
Soldier Boy #1
Such a Night (few lines)
Soldier Boy #2
I Asked the Lord #3 (incomplete)
I Asked the Lord #4
I Asked the Lord (rehearsal of the ending)
I Asked the Lord #5
I Asked the Lord (rehearsal of the ending)
Piano Solo – Jingle Bells
Earth Angel #1
Earth Angel (rehearsal of the ending)
I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen #1 (fast)
Que Será, Será / Hound Dog
At the Hop
I'll Take You Home Kathleen #2 (slow)
Apron Strings #2
It's Been So Long, Darling
Earth Angel (intro) / I Will Be True
There's No Tomorrow
I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (slow #2)
Que Será Será / Hound Dog
I Asked the Lord #6 (+ ending reprise)
I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (fast #2)
Apron Strings #3
The Titles Will Tell
At the Hop / Give Me My Oil Lamp
Que Será Será / Hound Dog / Piano Solo
Send Me Some Lovin' #1
Send Me Some Lovin' #2
The Fool (Take 1 - complete)
The Fool (Take 2 - LFS + FS)
The Fool (Take 3 - FS)
The Fool (Take 4 - complete)
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