Thanks for this Elvis celebration, David. Few things lift my spirits more than the '68 special. Watching Elvis find his way back to himself (if only for a while) feels like his artistic Independence Day. My fave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh-fto6e8yM&ab_channel=ElvisPresleyVEVO
As a fellow Elvis fanatic, I love this post and agree with pretty much everything here, especially the point about Elvis and the Nashville Sound (no one did better music within its confines) and that his ballad and gospel singing was him at his best. Thanks for putting this together!
I agree with your listings with one exception that you overlooked: “Having Fun With Elvis On Stage,” essential for understanding Elvis’ weird side. I am absolutely convinced that he was totally aware of the insane genius of the song “Do The Clam,” a performance that anticipates his later love of Andy Kaufman’s Elvis impressions.
As I wrote in my intro, I was limiting myself here to studio albums. But maybe I will tackle the live sets someday, the insane Having Fun with Elvis on Stage included. Thank you, Jeff, for subscribing!
Have you ever heard/seen the bootleg “Elvis’ Greatest Shit”? It’s a fantastic compilation of Elvis’ best/worst from his films like “Yoga Is As Yoga Does” and “No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car.” None of the reviewers—except Greil Marcus, of course—got that behind the joke of it all was a compiler who was clearly an Elvis fan with a deep knowledge of Elvis’ deep weird songs/performances who was equally clearly aware of the depths to which Elvis had squandered his talent until the Comeback Special. I mean, Elvis later covered Dylan’s “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” on “Elvis Country”—he knew what he was doing.✌️
'Tomorrow Is A Long Time' came before 'Elvis Country' and was recorded during the May 1966 Nashville sessions (included as a bonus track on the 'Spinout' soundtrack) that produced 'How Great Thou Art' - from my perspective, these sessions are the beginning for Elvis' re-emergence.
Thanks for this Elvis celebration, David. Few things lift my spirits more than the '68 special. Watching Elvis find his way back to himself (if only for a while) feels like his artistic Independence Day. My fave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh-fto6e8yM&ab_channel=ElvisPresleyVEVO
Thx, Julie! The cut you linked to, along with If I Can Dream, are my faves from the TV Special.
Of course I disagree with your rankings of eras (somewhat), but that’s what makes life fun. Great piece!
A superb Elvis post. I’d include 68 Special up there as well if I could. His voice is near a peak in that special.
Awesome. I would also put HE TOUCHED ME at the top if 68 SPECIAL isn't permitted.
As a fellow Elvis fanatic, I love this post and agree with pretty much everything here, especially the point about Elvis and the Nashville Sound (no one did better music within its confines) and that his ballad and gospel singing was him at his best. Thanks for putting this together!
I agree with your listings with one exception that you overlooked: “Having Fun With Elvis On Stage,” essential for understanding Elvis’ weird side. I am absolutely convinced that he was totally aware of the insane genius of the song “Do The Clam,” a performance that anticipates his later love of Andy Kaufman’s Elvis impressions.
As I wrote in my intro, I was limiting myself here to studio albums. But maybe I will tackle the live sets someday, the insane Having Fun with Elvis on Stage included. Thank you, Jeff, for subscribing!
Have you ever heard/seen the bootleg “Elvis’ Greatest Shit”? It’s a fantastic compilation of Elvis’ best/worst from his films like “Yoga Is As Yoga Does” and “No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car.” None of the reviewers—except Greil Marcus, of course—got that behind the joke of it all was a compiler who was clearly an Elvis fan with a deep knowledge of Elvis’ deep weird songs/performances who was equally clearly aware of the depths to which Elvis had squandered his talent until the Comeback Special. I mean, Elvis later covered Dylan’s “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” on “Elvis Country”—he knew what he was doing.✌️
'Tomorrow Is A Long Time' came before 'Elvis Country' and was recorded during the May 1966 Nashville sessions (included as a bonus track on the 'Spinout' soundtrack) that produced 'How Great Thou Art' - from my perspective, these sessions are the beginning for Elvis' re-emergence.