Moody Blue

[rickeap]

I liked the song in 77 and still do.
Particularly I am impressed by Elvis' commitment to his recording career by producing such a contemporary sounding single, `disco drums' and all, while still retaining his dignity.
It is instantly recognisable as an Elvis song and yet it is catchy and modern for 76/77 and deserved to be a bigger hit and a staple of his live shows.
Listen to the audience reaction (particularly on the audience recording) and you will recognise the enthusiasm for this track.
The extended master take should be released on FTD
Rick

[drjohncarpenter]

... what do you think of the song altogether? ... What's your opinion of the song now compared to when you heard it the first time?

It a very good song by Mark James, and not a bad pop recording for Elvis. Certainly, it is among the very best of his Graceland 1976 recordings. I liked it then, and still enjoy it today. Burton's lead guitar solo is beautifully played.

What it took years to realize was that James was evoking more than a little of the hit pop sound of ABBA. Elvis does ABBA, isn't that a kick?

Felton Jarvis carried it further with his overdub work. Had Elvis been in better shape, and it had been more actively promoted, it would likely have hit the top ten.

[elvisa]

Never quite cottoned on to Moody Blue.

It's not that it's a bad song, it's just not an Elvis song.....................

Oh yes Colin, it is endeed an Elvis song ...and a good one too.....to me it is, and you know, most people...non Elvisfans too, know the song and they know who sang it aswell...so Colin, this time....I really think your wrong

[Cryogenic]

What it took years to realize was that James was evoking more than a little of the hit pop sound of ABBA. Elvis does ABBA, isn't that a kick?

ABBA-Country?

How involved with ABBA was Elvis, musically speaking? Did he like them? Does anyone know? I just bought a beautiful book on them simply called "ABBA The Book" (by Jean-Marie Potiez). In it, there's a quotation from Benny: "I gew up on accordion music from the age of six and then came Elvis Presley and Caterina Valente, then there was a little bit of Mantovani and Edvard Grieg." Fancy Elvis getting mentioned amongst those lot!

Anyway, I've always LOVED "Moody Blue". This song just screams 70's Elvis to me. Very contemporary, very fresh. It's a prime example that Elvis still had an ear for what was going on around him and was still interested in suffusing his music with some of those sounds.

[Rob]

I had nothing to do with what you quoted, Cryo.

[Mike Eder]

I like most of the Jungle Room sessions and this is one of the best. I like that it's so different then what he did otherwise. He really seems in charge of the song, the way he says the words are very playful. A good overall track and I think it was put to great use in This Is Elvis. It really created a 1977 feel for that scene.

[Cryogenic]

I had nothing to do with what you quoted, Cryo.

You got me there.

[drjohncarpenter]

How involved with ABBA was Elvis, musically speaking?

Probably not at all.

[Juan Luis]

I remember purchasing the single at "Miracle Mile's" Woolworths Coral Gables FL. Late 76....Never thought it would be title of his last album. The song reminded me of BURNING LOVE in or that Elvis' voice was different BUT NOT in a bad way. To my detriment I have used the lyrics when love has gone sour. I love the song today.

[rickeap]

i don't hear much ABBA on this track - thankfully
Rick

[kuenzer]

Looks like it's just us two with reservations so far, midnightx !

I managed to get a reservation, too. Lucky I !

[Scarre]

I like it...very much

[drjohncarpenter]

i don't hear much ABBA on this track - thankfully

Well, you must not hear much ABBA, period.

Truth be told, they were a very successful and influential pop band. I cannot name another from their era who can lay claim to having influenced Elvis Presley, the Sex Pistols and Elvis Costello.

[rickeap]

Didn't Elvis cover Sex Pistols' My Way?
While I agree there is a disco touch in Ronnie's cymbal work, I just don't think it is an Abba-esque song
Rick

[Scott]

Not my favourite on the album Moody Blue. The songs Moody Blue and Way Down for me always had the taste of "let's do some contemporary songs".

Which is precisely what he should've been doing more of at the time, and earlier on.

Always loved MB from the first time I heard it in '77. Never tire of it.

However, I don't think it's a nod - intentional or otherwise - to disco at all.

[drjohncarpenter]

Didn't Elvis cover Sex Pistols' My Way?

IIRC, no.

[midnightx]

Didn't Elvis cover Sex Pistols' My Way?

IIRC, no.

But he did a mean take on Sedaka's "Solitaire."

[paulsweeney]

As a 14 year old when I first heard Moody Blue in 1976, I thought it sounded contemporary for Elvis and I really liked it. The same goes for Way Down in 1977 - my favourite cut off the album - and I still love both songs today

[drjohncarpenter]

But he did a mean take on Sedaka's "Solitaire."

Sadly, there is no known live Presley version. Imagine how much better it would have been in concert.

[midnightx]

But he did a mean take on Sedaka's "Solitaire."

Sadly, there is no known live Presley version. Imagine how much better it would have been in concert.

I can see it now: EP at the piano in the Mexican Sundial suit sweating profusely, Charlie holding the mic and worn out from helping EP hand out 58 scarves, Lew out in the audience in tears....

[drjohncarpenter]

Now I understand the call for a full DVD release of EIC -- we all need to have a good cry.

Lew, come back, all is forgiven.

[Juan Luis]

The absence of a particular song by THE KING says a lot..lol! Hail to the SIlence of THE KING!!!

[Brad M]

The live version is so popular among fans simply due to the fact it is the only live version of the song. Me, I perfer the version off of the album Moody Blue. Such a great, upbeat song. One that I think everybody agrees on should have been included in the setlist for the shows. But Elvis was so far gone, he had NO interest in upgrading his shows or changing anything!

[Rtn 2 Sndr]

I definitely remember hearing this song on my local country station in 1977 when it was first released. As was the case with most of Elvis' 70's releases, the song straddled the line between pop & country. If I remember correctly, Moody Blue was a Top 10 (IF not Number One) country record in the US in 1977.

I liked the song then and it is one of my favorites from Elvis' later 70's recordings.

[Joern]

It's one of Elvis' most contemporary sounding songs. Doesn't sound like an "oldie." I loved it when it was first released and still dig it. The only flaw is his running short of breath in that one spot.

And, I love Eyetalian version, too.

Elvis running out of breath in 76/77? No....

Seriously, there were some strong vocal performances from his work at Graceland such as 'Danny Boy' and 'Pledging My Love,' but I never really got into 'Moody Blue.'

Looks like it's just us two with reservations so far, midnightx !

Geronimo !

I'm with you . You're spot on with your remarks about the song. It's one of the few I really didn't care about.

Joern