Alternate version of "If I Can Dream"?

[epf]

Hello all. Decades ago there a Dutch radioshow about Elvis and his carreer. One of the cuts played was "If I Can Dream". What struck me was that the cut was organ heavy and that the trumpets seemed absent. Was this a legit alternate version or was it a mixed up fold down broadcast of a regular stereo version? Any thoughts or remarks about this? Thanks.

[TONY]

It could the one featured on an FTD release called "Let yourself go" perhaps?

[drjohncarpenter]

Hello all. Decades ago there a Dutch radioshow about Elvis and his carreer. One of the cuts played was "If I Can Dream". What struck me was that the cut was organ heavy and that the trumpets seemed absent. Was this a legit alternate version or was it a mixed up fold down broadcast of a regular stereo version? Any thoughts or remarks about this? Thanks.

They were playing alternate take 4 of "If I Can Dream," released by Joan Deary in 1978:

He Walks Beside Me_1978.jpg

He Walks Beside Me (RCA, 1978)

Subtitled "Songs of Faith and Inspiration," this was the first regular RCA release since the Elvis In Concert OST the previous October.

Take 5 is the one issued in 1968. The alternate take 4 was later released on Let Yourself Go (FTD, 2006). Take 1 popped up on Platinum (RCA, 1997).

[epf]

They were playing alternate take 4 of "If I Can Dream," released by Joan Deary in 1978:



He Walks Beside Me (RCA, 1978)

Subtitled "Songs of Faith and Inspiration," this was the first regular RCA release since the Elvis In Concert OST the previous October.

Take 5 is the one issued in 1968. The alternate take 4 was later released on Let Yourself Go (FTD, 2006). Take 1 popped up on Platinum (RCA, 1997).

Thanks Doc, for your quick and informative answer. I will have to look up that FTD. Glad i remembered correctly and did not mix things up.

[epf]

It could the one featured on an FTD release called "Let yourself go" perhaps?

Thanks Tony, it seems you are right. I do not have that particular FTD so i will have to look it up. I distinctly remember liking the alternate version. Thanks again:).

[londonflash]

I was always confused as a pup to hear a different version of a song like the above.

At the time, I had no idea alternate takes were sneaking out.

[luckyjackson1]

I think it was also Take 4, that was featured (by mistake?) on the 1984 german RCA CD "The Collection, Volume 4".

When I bought that particular disc in 1990 I couldn't help but wonder why it sounded so different to the master...

[drjohncarpenter]

They were playing alternate take 4 of "If I Can Dream," released by Joan Deary in 1978:



He Walks Beside Me (RCA, 1978)

Subtitled "Songs of Faith and Inspiration," this was the first regular RCA release since the Elvis In Concert OST the previous October.

Take 5 is the one issued in 1968. The alternate take 4 was later released on Let Yourself Go (FTD, 2006). Take 1 popped up on Platinum (RCA, 1997).

Thanks Doc, for your quick and informative answer. I will have to look up that FTD.

The DOC is on your side!

[Darrell]

I can remember buying this album when it came out. Don't have it anymore. Always liked the cover art though. What was the trac listing on this Doc?
Darrell

[stevelecher]

I'm so glad he didn't lip synch this song at the end of the Special. Do you think that was the original intent, with the two lip synched versions from the Stand up shows. I think so, and they looked at the results and realized it didn't work; that he would have to sing it live. The result, of course, was a stunning conclusion to the show.

Steve L.

[drjohncarpenter]

I can remember buying this album when it came out. Don't have it anymore. Always liked the cover art though. What was the track listing on this Doc?
Darrell

Not the greatest. Spot the non-religious tracks on the LP.

He Walks Beside Me (RCA AFL 1 2772, February 1978)
Side 1
He Is My Everything
Miracle Of The Rosary
Where Did They Go Lord
Somebody Bigger Than You and I
An Evening Prayer
The Impossible Dream (February 16, 1972 MS, Las Vegas Hilton) *
Side 2
If I Can Dream (June 23, 1968, Western Recorders, take 4) *
Padre
Known Only To Him
Who Am I
How Great Thou Art

* = previously unissued

[drjohncarpenter]

I'm so glad he didn't lip synch this song at the end of the Special. Do you think that was the original intent, with the two lip synched versions from the Stand up shows. I think so, and they looked at the results and realized it didn't work; that he would have to sing it live. The result, of course, was a stunning conclusion to the show.

Your conclusion seems right on the money.

[Elvisfan10]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Take 4 musical arrangement was done at the same time frame as the other Takes or was it a re-mixed arrangement done after 1977?

[Darrell]

Thanks Doc - it all came back to me.

[TCB-FAN]

Thanks Doc - it all came back to me.

"If I Can Dream" take 4 has much better sound quality on this release....

[elvis-fan]

Interesting fact (or maybe not)... the 1978 release He Walks Beside Me was the first time Where Did They Go Lord was issued on an LP...

[luckyjackson1]

Interesting fact (or maybe not)... the 1978 release He Walks Beside Me was the first time Where Did They Go Lord was issued on an LP...

Yeah, I was pissed back then because I could never get a copy of that album and "Where Did They Go, Lord" was the last Elvis master that was missing in my collection (some twenty years back)... finally bought the "Rough Cut Diamonds" CD and almost cried when I listened to the song for the first time.

[PetriTCB]

Interesting fact (or maybe not)... the 1978 release He Walks Beside Me was the first time Where Did They Go Lord was issued on an LP...

Oh well... This was new fact to me!!! So, there should have been reading that "previously unreleased song" ?

[elvis-fan]

Interesting fact (or maybe not)... the 1978 release He Walks Beside Me was the first time Where Did They Go Lord was issued on an LP...

Oh well... This was new fact to me!!! So, there should have been reading that "previously unreleased song" ?

No... it was only issued as a single to that point...

[TCB-FAN]

Rags To Riches & Where Did They Go Lord should've been added to the "Now" album back in 1972. It would've saved alot of non-single 45 buyers/collectors or should I say strictly LP buyers alot of headache from finding these songs.

[epf]

Thanks Doc - it all came back to me.

"If I Can Dream" take 4 has much better sound quality on this release....

So it looks like i really will have to get this one then.

[drjohncarpenter]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Take 4 musical arrangement was done at the same time frame as the other Takes or was it a re-mixed arrangement done after 1977?

They were done at the same time.

All the studio takes (1-5) were done on Sunday, June 23, 1968 at Western Recorders in Los Angeles.

All the live vocal takes on top of the completed single master backing track (1-4 ... aka 915-918) were made at NBC-TV's Burbank, Studio 4, on Sunday, June 30, 1968.

[TkoTzer]

I just listened to this take on the FTD. It would have been a great change of pace show closer if they could've gotten It to sound right live.

[drjohncarpenter]

I just listened to this take on the FTD. It would have been a great change of pace show closer if they could've gotten It to sound right live.

I'll take the June 30th recording seen on the TV Special over all others.

"Thank you, good night."

[lpa]

Is take 4 also found in the CD version? Some like the A Legendary Performer series contain different versions/missing songs on CD.