Elvis Sings Memphis, Tennessee [Single/LP - RCA, 1964 - Cancelled] (CD/LP - FTD, 2008/2019/2022)

Title:

Elvis Sings Memphis, Tennessee

Label:

FTD [FTD 073] [88697 29699 2]

Format:

2x CD

Number of tracks:

53

Running time:

145:00

Type album:

Studio / Recording sessions

Linked to:

FTD discography

Year:

2008

Recording date:

May 26, 1963 - January 12, 1964

Release date:

August 2008

Singles:

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Elvis Sings Memphis Tennessee was FTD's seventy-third CD. It brings together tracks recorded in 1963 and 1964 for the album of the same name, which ended up being discarded before its release. The work is currently out of print.

In 1963, Elvis' film career was well established and sales of his LPs, EPs and singles were still high. Soundtracks had become the focus of attention in recording sessions, leaving aside work for independent LPs due to the exorbitant sales of songs heard in films. Without realizing it, by tapping into this "gold mine", the Colonel and RCA were writing the first chapter of what would become a sharp decline in Elvis' sales and popularity within two years.

The King of Rock, in turn, had great contributions and ideas to record, but he always encountered obstacles in the face of Parker and RCA's denials. After much fighting, Elvis managed to reach a truce and was authorized by the Colonel to conduct sessions for a new album to be released later that year, which would feature songs that he liked or that were popular at the time. It was a break from the infamous, meaningless songs for films and a great advance in Elvis' power over his career, albeit for a limited time.

With that, Elvis went to RCA Studio B in Nashville, where he had produced many of the gems of his early career. The team of musicians there was excellent, the opportunity was excellent, and the songs were, although not all of them, great. Starting on the night of May 26, 1963, the singer did two sessions that produced 14 songs, showing that he still had the rhythm to produce on a mass scale and within the standards expected by his fans. Elvis had a special preference for these sessions and worked with real enthusiasm on "(You're the) Devil in Disguise", "Memphis Tennessee", by Chuck Berry, and "Ask Me", by the Italian Domenico Modugno.

But it was in the early hours of May 28 that things changed course. After the resounding success of the "Fun in Acapulco" LP, the Colonel was convinced that soundtracks sold and would sell infinitely more than individual songs and ordered the immediate abandonment of the project. It was a blow that would change Elvis' view of his recordings and would begin to bring about his musical downfall at that time.

The recordings from those days were later released on singles and compilation LPs, but without the same appeal they would have had if they had been released as a single work. Beatlemania and the British Invasion also played a big role in all of this, since the general public began to like that style of music, with rhythm and no concern for lyrics, more than the melodious songs with almost no rhythm that the Americans were making. Elvis' sales began to plummet, with the exception of a hit here and there, which became increasingly rare.

Although they have been present on several works over the years, the first time that all the songs recorded in May 1963 were officially released together was only in 1990 on a CD/LP released as "For the Asking: The Lost Album" in Europe. The following year the work would reach the rest of the world as "The Lost Album". The label also took the opportunity to include the solo track "It Hurts Me" recorded on January 12, 1964, during the remake sessions for "Ask Me" and "Memphis Tennessee".

It's no surprise that many fans are still unaware of this release. A delay of almost 30 years has left a highly promising album drained of all its power by time.

In an attempt to overcome this, FTD reworked the album in 2008 and reissued it as "Elvis sings Memphis Tennessee" on a double CD. The tracks from the originally proposed work were rearranged and some recording sessions were added as bonuses. A double LP with the Masters and session highlights followed in 2019 and the complete sessions were released on a 3-CD box in 2022.

Below is a review of the 2008 work.

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CD 1 - ORIGINAL ALBUM

- 1. Witchcraft: While not necessarily a great track, FTD's re-arrangement allows the album to start with its strongest song. An incredible performance not only from Elvis on vocals, but also from Boots Randolph on saxophone. With great lyrics and phrasing, it's hard not to love this song. It's a shame it was wasted as a simple B-side at the time.

- 2. Please Don't Drag That String Around: After the incredible "Witchcraft", it's a real shame to immediately play a song as weak as this, which was the B-side to "(You're the) Devil in Disguise". Parts of this are so bad they almost sound like a movie score. Elvis recorded a ton of incredible lyrics by Otis Blackwell, but this one, co-written with Winfield Scott, just doesn't compare to "Don't Be Cruel", "Make Me Know it", and most of the others.

- 3. Love Me Tonight: This is a calm and effective love song that still shows off some of Elvis' vocal power. This Don Robertson song unfortunately debuted as a bonus track on the "Fun in Acapulco" LP, so it's one of Elvis' best love songs that the general public never heard.

- 4. Slowly But Surely: With an annoying arrangement and inane lyrics, this is definitely not one of Elvis' best. It also made its debut as a bonus track on "Fun in Acapulco", where it actually managed to be one of the stronger, if out-of-place, songs. It's use on the 1965 film "Tickle Me" helped make it even more dull.

- 5. It Hurts Me: Given its quality, it's hard to believe that Elvis recorded this song in 1964. If it weren't for the mighty Jordanaires, it could certainly be mistaken for his more mature material from later years. A hidden gem among the many throwaway tracks from that decade, it fights valiantly to be the best song on the album. But what did RCA do with it back then? They released it as the B-side to "Kissin' Cousins" – unbelievable!

- 6. Echoes of Love: If it weren't for the obnoxious instrumentation, this could very well have been a classic love song. As it is, it sounds like a movie song and can be hard to listen to unless you make a real effort to focus on Elvis' voice and mentally drown out everything else. A shame, considering the beautiful lyrics. This song debuted on the Kissin' Cousins ​​LP, where it was actually one of the most listened to songs.

- 7. (It's a) Long Lonely Highway: Your reward for listening to "Echoes of Love" comes immediately with another of the album's best songs. Like "Promised Land" ten years later, this one is perfect for blasting in the car and makes a better opening song than "Witchcraft" - which is why it was rightly used in that position by RCA in 1990. However, it should come as no surprise that this is a great song - after all, Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman wrote it.

RCA predictably wasted this one as a bonus track on "Kissin' Cousins", giving fans at least one reason to buy that awful soundtrack. It was later released as a single in 1965 and used as part of the soundtrack for "Tickle Me", but without any news to it.

- 8. (You're the) Devil in Disguise: This is a great 40-second song that never fully develops beyond that. Instead, it just repeats that time until it's long enough to be a single (and a hit). The handclap-filled instrumental break near the end is excellent, though.

- 9. Never Ending: This is another amazing love song that helps add some weight to the album. This ballad also has a bit of a Latin flavor and the strings are gorgeous. It was originally released as the B-side to "Such a Night" in 1964.

- 10. Ask Me: We know that Elvis recorded this song first, but it would have been the perfect follow-up to "It Hurts Me" because it would have conveyed the idea that the "hero" has finally gotten the girl and is pledging his love to her, just as he promised he would. This song is another reflection of the more mature Elvis, and would have fit in perfectly with the songs he recorded in 1970 and 1971. This is the 1964 version of "Ask Me" which was released as a single later that year.

- 11. Memphis, Tennessee: The jungle rhythms in Elvis' cover of the Chuck Berry classic are wonderful, but as with "Ask Me" Elvis rejected the 1963 Master and re-recorded it the following year. According to Ernst Jorgensen, Elvis played his unreleased recording for Johnny Rivers, who began recording and released a version before the King of Rock. Rivers enjoyed success while Elvis' recording was relegated to the 1965 leftover album "Elvis For Everyone!". Aside from the jungle rhythms, the best part is the surprise ending.

- 12. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers: Another one that sounds like a movie song, and a bad one at that. This children's song gets old fast and is probably the worst selection in this collection. It first appeared on the album "Elvis For Everyone!".

- 13. Western Union: Okay, maybe this is actually the worst song on this album. It's not that it's that bad, it just sounds like a bland, inferior remake of "Return to Sender". It was written by Sid Tepper and Roy Bennett, who wrote over 40 songs for Elvis, most of which were low-quality movie songs. It was released as a bonus track on the 1968 Speedway LP.

- 14. Blue River: FTD really saved the not-so-great songs for last on this album, which is another reason why the new sequencing is flawed. This is a song that tries too hard and was first released as the B-side to "Tell Me Why" in 1965.

- 15. What Now, What Next, Where to: Despite the unwieldy title, which might make you think it's "just another movie song", it's actually a beautiful ballad by Don Robertson and Hal Blair. Elvis recorded it in one take, and it first appeared on the Double Trouble soundtrack album in 1967.

As you can see, most of the songs from the aborted 1963 sessions are top-notch recordings that deserved more than just B-sides and album fillers. If you think of 1963 and 1964 as wasted years of Elvis' recording career due to movie soundtracks, then this album may be a revelation.

REJECTED MASTERS

- 16. Memphis, Tennessee: This is the rejected 1963 Master. The drums and instrumentation are great here, but Elvis doesn't sound as good as he did in 1964. The drum riff we heard here is very reminiscent of the opening of "That's All Right" from Elvis' August 1970 Las Vegas shows. This Master was first released on 1991's Collectors Gold, but it sounds better here.

- 17. Ask Me: Here we also have the rejected 1963 Master. While still a decent performer, the 1964 version is actually superior. It was also first released on "Collectors Gold".

FIRST TAKES

- 18. Witchcraft (Take 1): This is another great take of the song, with an even wilder sax. Elvis takes a softer approach to some of the lyrics, which sounds really cool, a wonderful alternative. This take was first released on "Collectors Gold".

- 19. Please don't Drag That String Around (Take 1): For some reason, this take is a little better than the Master. Maybe Elvis sounds less bored since it's only the first take. This is a great example of the singer making the most of a weak song, something he had to do all too often throughout his career. First featured on 2000's "Such a Night - Essential Elvis, Volume 6".

- 20. Love Me Tonight (Take 1): This alternative sounds a bit slower. Another good one to listen to, although the Master is better. Another take released on "Collectors Gold".

- 21. Slowly But Surely (Take 1): This take proves that the song was just as bad on the first try as it was on the Master. You can hear Elvis trying to make it good, but there's not much he can do. This was first released in FTD's "Long Lonely Highway".

- 22 It Hurts Me (Take 1): Esta é uma performance interessante, com fraseados um pouco diferentes. Não se pode dizer com certeza que é melhor que o Master, mas certamente é um candidato. Outro lançado em "Such a Night".

- 23. Echoes of Love (Take 1): Nove takes antes do Master e a irritante instrumentação infelizmente já está lá. Nesta tomada inédita, Elvis ri um pouco no meio, mas continua. Um momento agradável em uma música de outra forma esquecível.

- 24. (It's a) Long Lonely Highway (Take 1 - Single Master): Take 2 was the Record Master, so this is unfortunately the only other take of this song. It was released as the Single Master on the B-side of "I'm Yours" in 1965, and it sounds even more upbeat than the album version - perhaps even superior.

- 25. (You're the) Devil in Disguise (Take 3): This take starts with a false start and then starts over (while seemingly keeping the same number). First released on "Long Lonely Highway", it's always interesting to hear alternatives to hit songs, but this one is pretty close to the Master. However, we do get some background variations and an Elvis laugh near the end.

- 26. Never Ending (Take 1): The take begins with a false start from the band and then includes a full take that is a bit shorter than the Master. Once again, the strings are beautiful. Another one from "Long Lonely Highway".

- 27. Ask Me (1964 Version) (Takes 1 & 2): Take 1 quickly fades out. Take 2 is a full performance, first released on 2002's "Today, Tomorrow & Forever". There's often some reservation about The Jordainaires, but their background vocals are magnificent on this song.

- 28. Memphis, Tennessee (1964 Version, Take 1): This is the first take from 1964. The opening drums are muffled, but Elvis sort of redeems the song at the end with an increasingly better performance. This was first released on FTD's "Studio B - Nashville Outtakes 1961-1964".

- 29. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (Take 1): This take seems a little slower, but the difference doesn't help. It's still not a very good song, no matter the speed. This was first released on "Long Lonely Highway".

- 30. Western Union (Take 1): Some rehearsals of The Jordanaires are here before Take 1, an unreleased take, which consists of a chaotic opening and then a full performance. The Jordanaires are even louder in the mix on this one, making the Master sound better. But we have to give Elvis credit here; he sings this throwaway song with a lot of spirit.

- 31. Ask Me (1963 Version, Take 1): The take begins with a false start and then resumes into a full performance. Again, Elvis' vocals are not as effective on this song as they would be a year later. He sounds extremely tired.

CD 2 - OUTTAKES

THE 1963 SESSIONS

- 1. Echoes of Love (Takes 2, 4, 5 & 3): Take 2 only has four words before Elvis cuts it off. Take 4 goes on for a bit longer, but Elvis cuts it off again. Take 5 eventually falls apart as well. FTD ends the track by returning to Take 3, a full performance. Imagine the song with a simpler arrangement, perhaps just acoustic guitar, piano and Elvis, and it could have been a real winner. Takes 2 and 3 were originally released on "Studio B - Nashville Outtakes 1961-1964", while Takes 4 and 5 are previously unreleased.

- 2. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Take 2): This boring take was first released on "Studio B - Nashville Outtakes 1961-1964".

- 3. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Takes 3, 4 & 5): Take 3 is just a couple of false starts before Elvis even sings. Take 4 actually goes on for quite a while before the take is stopped. Take 5 is a complete one. All of them are previously unreleased.

- 4. (You're the) Devil in Disguise (Takes 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 - Undubbed Master): The previously unreleased take 1 consists of a few false starts before Elvis sings. Interestingly, he sounds a little irritated before he starts the song. "Here we go! We're rolling!", he says, giving the impression that some people are joking around when he's ready to get to work. Take 2, previously released on "Long Lonely Highway", is another couple of false starts with some singing and Elvis whistling at an abrupt end. Take 4 has a more upbeat opening, but Elvis quickly cancels it. Take 5 is a short take, barely making it to the main chorus. These last two are previously unreleased takes. Take 6 is the Master without overdubs and all we wanted was for the track to go all the way to the end, but the overdub fade is still there.

- 5. Never Ending (Takes 2 & 3 - Undubbed Master): The unreleased take 2 isn't as strong as take 1 or the Master and eventually falls apart. Take 3 is the incredible Master without overdubs.

- 6. Witchcraft (Take 2): It's not as exciting as the previous or later take, but it's still worth listening to. This take was first released on "Today, Tomorrow & Forever".

- 7. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (Takes 2 & 3 - Undubbed Master): Take 2, previously unreleased, is delightful, but ends quickly. Elvis asks for the tempo to be sped up a bit and then we arrive at take 3, the Master without overdubs.

- 8. Love Me Tonight (Takes 2, 3 & 4): The previously unreleased take 2 is just a false start, with only a bit of Floyd Cramer's piano intro. Take 3 actually includes some vocals from Elvis before he recorded them. Take 4 is a full take, another solid performance of a top-notch song. The last two takes were first released on "Studio B - Nashville Outtakes 1961-1964".

- 9. Love Me Tonight (Takes 6 & 5): This track is most notable for having a bit of rehearsal between takes. Elvis cuts take 6 quite early. FTD then goes back to the full take 5, probably because it would be odd to first hear a full take followed by a short one, but both are unreleased.

- 10. Memphis Tennessee (1963 Version) (Take 1): Take 1 begins with a glitchy opening and then resumes into a full performance. Occasionally, you can hear hints of 1956 Elvis in this interesting take first released on 1993's "From Nashville to Memphis - The Essential 60's Masters I".

- 11. Western Union (Takes 2 & 3): Elvis sings softer on take 2, another unreleased one, but The Jordanaires are louder than ever. The song ends early with another whistle from the singer. Take 3 has a false start and then is sung in full. This first appeared on "Studio B - Nashville Outtakes 1961-1964".

- 12. Slowly But Surely (Takes 2, 3 & 4): Elvis whistles and ends take 2 before it even has a chance to begin. "Too slow", he tells the band. Take 3 actually goes on for a while before Elvis cuts it off. "Good God, what am I singing!?", he says before also ending take 4 early. All of these takes are previously unreleased.

- 13. Blue River (Takes 1 & 2 - Undubbed Master): We have a bit of rehearsal followed by a very short unreleased take where Elvis messes up. Take 2 is the Master without overdubs, a bit longer and with a bit of studio chatter.

- 14. Ask Me (1963 Version) (Takes 3 & 4): After knocking out a few other songs, Elvis returned to "Ask Me" at the end of the 1963 session, resuming with Take 3, released here for the first time. He sounds stronger, but still not as good as he did in 1964. Elvis finally notes the obvious: "This song is going to make me a nervous wreck." Take 4, also previously unreleased, is complete. His voice fades again, but it's the end of a two-day marathon after all.

- 15. Ask Me (1963 Version) (Takes 5 & 6 - Alternate Master): Here are two more unreleased takes of this song. Take 5 falls apart in less than a minute. Take 6, Elvis's last attempt in 1963, consists of a few false starts followed by a full performance. This is the most effective take from 1963, which is why it was chosen as the Alternate Master.

- 16. Echoes of Love (Takes 6 & 7): Take 6 is over in just a few seconds. Take 7 is almost complete, but fortunately also ends early. Both were previously unreleased.

- 17. Echoes of Love (Takes 9 & 8 - Alternate Master): The previously unreleased take 9 starts off very slow, but it takes a few lines for Elvis to wrap up the song. FTD then takes us to take 8, which is complete and provides an Alternate Master.

THE 1964 SESSIONS

- 18. Memphis, Tennessee (1964 Version) (Takes 2, 3 & 5): Take 2 is just the opening. The band never sounds good on Take 3, they seem more restrained. Elvis eventually ends up laughing. Takes 2 and 3 are previously unreleased. Take 5 is a complete performance, first released on "Such a Night". A great take, but the Master is better.

- 19. Ask Me (1964 Version) (Take 3): Elvis' voice is obviously much stronger in the 1964 session, as evidenced by the playback of these tracks back-to-back. Take 3 is a complete, previously unreleased performance. Although there are still several takes to go, this one is actually quite close to the Master.

- 20. Ask Me (1964 Version) (Takes 4, 6 & 7): Take 4 is only a few lines long, as is Take 6. Take 7 is complete and the only one that had been released previously, on 2003's "Close Up".

- 21. Ask Me (1964 Version) (Takes 8, 10 & 9): Take 8 has only a few words, while 10 features only a few notes. FTD then cuts back to take 9, a complete, if subpar, performance. Takes 8 and 9 first appeared on "Studio B - Nashville Outtakes 1961-1964", while 10 is previously unreleased.

- 22. It Hurts Me (1964 Version) (Takes 2, 3, 4 & 5 - Undubbed Master): Take 2 ends after just two words. Take 3 goes a little longer, for a line or two. Take 4 actually sets up to be a great rendition before Elvis unfortunately cuts it off early when he falls behind. These are unreleased takes, while Take 5 is the Master without overdubs.

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Title:

Elvis Sings Memphis, Tennessee

Label:

FTD [FTD 323] [506020 975137 5]

Format:

2x LP

Number of tracks:

27

Running time:

75:00

Type album:

Studio / Recording sessions

Linked to:

FTD discography

Year:

2019

Recording date:

May 26, 1963 - January 12, 1964

Release date:

October 2019

Singles:

---

More than 10 years later, FTD has finally produced a double vinyl version that compiles the highlights of the 2008 CD.

The album features the following tracks:

LP 1

SIDE A

1. Memphis, Tennessee (1963 Rejected Master)

2. Ask Me (1963 Rejected Master)

3. Echoes of Love (Take 1)

4. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Take 1)

5. (You're the) Devil in Disguise (Takes 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 - Master)

6. What Now, What Next, Where to (Master)

7. Never Ending (Take 1)

SIDE B

8. (It's a) Long Lonely Highway (Record Master)

9. Witchcraft (Take 1)

10. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (Take 1)

11. Love Me Tonight (Take 1)

12. Memphis, Tennessee (1964 Version - Take 1)

13. Ask Me (1964 Version - Takes 1, 2)

14. Western Union (Take 1)

15. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Take 2)

LP 2

SIDE A

1. Slowly But Surely (Take 1)

2. Never Ending (Takes 2 & 3 - Master)

3. (You're the) Devil in Disguise (Take 3)

4. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Takes 3, 4, 5)

5. Witchcraft (Take 2)

6. Ask Me (1963 Version, Takes 5 & 6 - Alternate Rejected Master)

SIDE B

7. Blue River (Takes 1, 2)

8. Memphis, Tennessee (1964 Version - Takes 2, 3, 5)

9. It Hurts Me (Takes 2, 3, 4 & 5 - Master)

10. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (Takes 2, 3)

11. Love Me Tonight (Takes 2, 3, 4)

12. Slowly But Surely (Takes 2, 3, 4)

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Title:

Devil in Disguise - The "Lost Album" Sessions

Label:

FTD [FTD 199] [506020 975168]

Format:

3x CD

Number of tracks:

64

Running time:

174:00

Type album:

Studio / Recording sessions

Linked to:

FTD discography

Year:

2022

Recording date:

May 26, 1963 - January 12, 1964

Release date:

July 2022

Singles:

---

Three years after the double LP, FTD finally released the Masters and the full recording sessions for the rejected 1963 album.

The work features the following tracks:

CD 1

THE MASTERS

1. (You're the) Devil in Disguise

2. Please Don't Drag That String Around

3. Witchcraft

4. Love Me Tonight

5. Slowly But Surely

6. It Hurts Me

7. Echoes of Love

8. (It's a) Long Lonely Highway

9. Never Ending

10. Ask Me

11. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers

12. Memphis, Tennessee

13. Blue River

14. What Now, What Next, Where to

15. Western Union

CD 2

THE MAY 26,1963 SESSIONS

1. Echoes of Love (Take 1)

2. Echoes of Love (Takes 2 & 3)

3. Echoes of Love (Takes 4-7)

4. Echoes of Love (Take 8)

5. Echoes of Love (Takes 9 & 10 - Master)

6. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Take 1)

7. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Take 2)

8. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Takes 3-5)

9. Please Don't Drag That String Around (Take 6 - Master)

10. (Youíre the) Devil in Disguise (Takes 1-3)

11. (Youíre the) Devil in Disguise (Takes 4-6 - Master)

12. Never Ending (Take 1)

13. Never Ending (Takes 2 & 3 - Master)

14. What Now, What Next, Where to (Take 1 - Master)

15. Witchcraft (Take 1)

16. Witchcraft (Take 2)

17. Witchcraft (Take 3 - Master)

18. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (Take 1)

19. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (Take 2)

20. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (Take 3 - Master)

21. Love Me Tonight (Take 1)

22. Love Me Tonight (Takes 2-4)

23. Love Me Tonight (Take 5)

24. Love Me Tonight (Takes 6-8 - Master)

CD 3

THE MAY 27,1963 SESSIONS

1. Memphis, Tennessee (Take 1)

2. Memphis, Tennessee (Take 2 - Rejected Master)

3. (It's a) Long Lonely Highway (Take 1 - Single Master

4. (It's a) Long Lonely Highway (Take 2 - Record Master)

5. Ask Me (Take 1)

6. Ask Me (Take 2 - Alternate Master)

7. Western Union (Take 1

8. Western Union (Takes 2 & 3)

9. Western Union (Take 4 - Master)

10. Slowly But Surely (Take 1)

11. Slowly But Surely (Takes 2-4)

12. Slowly But Surely (Take 5 - Master)

13. Blue River (Takes 1 & 2)

14. Ask Me (Takes 3 & 4)

15. Ask Me (Takes 5 & 6 - Rejected Master)

THE JANUARY 12,1964 SESSIONS

16. Memphis, Tennessee (Take 1)

17. Memphis, Tennessee (Takes 2-5)

18. Memphis, Tennessee (Take 6 - Master)

19. Ask Me (Takes 1 & 2)

20. Ask Me (Take 3)

21. Ask Me (Takes 4-7)

22. Ask Me (Takes 8 & 9)

23. Ask Me (Takes 10 & 11 - Master)

24. It Hurts Me (Take 1)

25. It Hurts Me (Takes 2-5 - Master)