SUCH A NIGHT - takes 2, 3 & ? This track first appeared on the 1976 release A Legendary Performer Volume 2. It was also released on the CD From the Bottom of My Heart Vol 1.Takes 2 and 3 break down, then follows the master take. I was always under the impression the master was take 4 because takes 2 and 3 were counted before. No take count is heard, and one could easily assume this is take 4. However Ernst Jorgensen states in his book A Life in Music it is take 5, Joe Tunzi says it is take 4. Can anyone confirm the take number of the master? The double CD release There's Always Me Vol 1 contains an unknown take, which to me sounds like a post master take as Elvis & "Chief" now have there beat count down pat as per the dialogue after take 3.
MAKE ME KNOW IT - take 3 I can not confirm the take number of the master , but I believe take 3 is completely unreleased. Apparently 19 takes exist in the vaults.
STUCK ON YOU - take 2 Take 3 is the master. Another take plus false start appeared on There's Always Me Vol 1. The take number to this is unknown but sounds to be later than take 3 as Elvis and the band seem to have it together.
FEVER - take 1 This take first appeared on There's Always Me Vol 1.Take 4 is the master.
THE GIRL OF MY BEST FRIEND - take 6 I cannot find any previous releases of take 6. Take 10 is the master. In Sessions II, Tunzi claims no outtakes exist.
SOLDIER BOY - take 1 The master take is #15. Takes 2 and 3 (plus several false starts and takes that have their count ins edited) were first released on The Colonel's Collection. The complete take available from this CD is not take 1. I don't believe take 1 has been available before.
SURRENDER - take 9 This take is unreleased. Take 1 appeared on the '60s Masters boxset, as well as the CD Surrender by Elvis along with takes 2,3,4,5,6 & 7. Take 4 is the master.
I BELIEVE IN THE MAN IN THE SKY - take 1 Previously released on Surrender by Elvis and Stand by Me; the Gospel According to Elvis Vol 1.
GIVE ME THE RIGHT - take 2 Previously released on There's Always Me Vol 3. Take 1 appeared on Collectors' Gold, and takes 1,2,3, & 4 appeared on Something Complete. Take 4 is the master.
I'M COMING HOME - take 2 Premiered on Something Complete. Take 7 is the master.
LITTLE SISTER - take 9 This take was first released on There's Always Me Vol 3. Take 4 is the master.
I MET HER TODAY - take 4 Previously released on 24-Carat Gold. Take 1 is available on Collectors' Gold, takes 3 & 5 are available on 24 Carat Gold, and take 7 can be found on There's Always Me Vol 3. Take 18 is the master.
GONNA GET BACK HOME SOMEHOW - take 5 First came out on 24-Carat Gold. Takes 1 & 2 are available on There's Always Me Vol 3; takes 3 & 6 are on 24 Carat Gold. Take 7 is the master.
Night Rider (18/3/62 version) - take 5 I was under the impression take 5 appeared on one of those A Time in Life series, but that version could be from the 1961 session. Can anyone confirm it's take number. Takes 1 & 2 of the 1961 version are available on Collectors' Gold; takes 1,2, & 3 from the 1962 session are available on There's Always Me Vol 4. Take 3 from the 1962 is the refused master; take 3 from the 1961 session is the master.
EASY QUESTION - take 1 Previously unreleased. Take 3 is available on There's Always Me Vol 3. Take 5 is the master.
SUSPICION - take 2 Previously unreleased. Take one is available on There's Always Me Vol 1. Take 5 is the master.
PLEASE DON'T DRAG THAT STRING AROUND - take 1 Previously available on There's Always Me Vol 1 along with takes 4 & 5. Take 2 was first released on 24-Carat Gold. Take 6 is the master.
MEMPHIS TENNESSEE - (January 1964 version) - take 5. Previously unreleased. This session yielded the single (master take 6), as well as the acetate that Johnny Rivers allegedly heard at one of Elvis' L.A homes, and then proceeded to record his own version with the same arrangement achieving a number 1 hit 1964 hence spoiling Elvis' single release. Like Night Rider, Elvis re-recorded this song before any of his versions were available attempting to improve upon his 1963 versions. The only other alternates available of this song relate to that May 26, 1963 session. Take 1 appeared on the '60s masters, take 2 came out on Collectors' Gold, and what is known as the "jungle version" which has a busy drum introduction is available on Elvis Meets Presley. However, the liner notes state this is from May 27, 1963. I tend to wonder if it is a 1964 version due to its "busy" drum introduction supported by the use of two drummers used simultaneously at this session. Can anyone expand on this jungle version?
IT HURTS ME - take 1 Previously unreleased. "It does? Well honey, don't do it"! Replied Elvis to a request for this song at his Vegas, August 11, 1972 midnight show. The engineer, Ron Steele was working his first Elvis session the night this song was recorded in January 1964. No take number was called for takes 4 or five, according to Ernst Jorgensen due to Elvis' rapid recording behavior that particular night and Ron Steele's loss in counting. Take 5 is the master. An alternate exists on There's Always Me Vol 2, and may in fact be take 4.
Well there you have it. Not a complete or 100% precise breakdown of what has been made available before Essential 6, and there are still some loose ends. I hope there is someone who can answer some of my queries. I would have liked to have seen some additional session sheets included in this release, as well as heard more between take dialogue, which seems to appear less frequently on this release as opposed to the other volumes, but you can't win 'em all! If you haven't already, go out and buy SUCH A NIGHT - Essential Elvis Volume 6. It's a ball ripper! If I have made any mistakes with the master take numbers please let me know, as I have relied on the Tunzi book Sessions II for this information.
