"Where Could I Go But To The Lord"

[Juan Luis]

"Where Could I Go But To The Lord" has an excellent production. Floyd Cramer's piano starts, with rhythmic finger snaps following and providing the introduction to Elvis' vocals. Boots Randolph and or Rufus Long's saxophone add small accents. The same with Henry Slaughter on organ. The stereo spectrum is well adorned with the background vocals of the females dominating one side and males on the other. The instrument placing is perfectly balanced as well. This however, does not deter to what essentially is a piano and vocal dominated recording. Elvis Presley's sublime and understated singing is reminiscent (to me) of the great vocals he tracked a few nights before with "Tomorrow Is A Long Time".

Recorded at the wee hours of May 28, 1966 morning (only two takes) at Nashville's RCA Studio B with Felton Jarvis producing, and Jim Malloy behind the console. A fitting end to the "How Great Thou Art" Grammy Award winning album sessions.

Elvis recorded this Gospel song as a part of the Medley for the 1968 "Comeback Special". While very good, does not improve upon (neither arrangement or singing) the exquisite and soulful original.

"Where Could I Go But To The Lord" was written or "rewritten" by J. B. Coats. This has a complex history and for more information please check out David Neale's great site. http://davidneale.eu/elvis/originals/list10.html#S1555









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[bajo]

This one and Run On are my two favorites from the album. I agree that the NBC TV special does not capture the vibe of this one. I've always wondered what this coupling would have been as a single back then?
Run On c/w Where Could I Go But To The Lord

[jeanno]

Amazing 1966 recording, pure gospel feeling from beginning to end. No matter how good the vocals are in the 68 special, i agree that its spiritual vibe just gets lost.

[Scarre]

Beautiful!

[MikeFromHolland]

This is when the Jarvis era began. Fantastic sessions, teriffic song! Thanks.



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[Juan Luis]

This is when the Jarvis era began. Fantastic sessions, teriffic song! Thanks.



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Yes! Thanks everyone.

[Johnny2523]

Always liked this song altough i prefer the 1968 vocals & arrangement, too bad we don't get a full version there.

[Juan Luis]

Always liked this song altough i prefer the 1968 vocals & arrangement, too bad we don't get a full version there.

I have always liked the 1968 Gospel medley especially because of the LaVerne Baker minor hit "Saved". Another example of Elvis Presley taking a Leiber-Stoller parody (tongue-in-cheek) and singing it straight! It worked very well, in my opinion.
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[Domino]

Elvis sounded so at home with this music.That little gospel segment showed that .This song and entire album shows that too.
Love the whole album.Hard to pick just one or two or three faves.
Thanks for this topic.

[colonel snow]

A few more choices:

The song was recorded:

00-01-46 - Sister Ernestine Washington with Bunk Johnson Jazz Band (Disc 6039) = original version;
00-00-46 - Sister Marie Knight & The Sunset Four (Haven 502); later on re-released in 1948 on Signature 32006;
00-00-47 - All American Quartet (Sacred records SS 537 and later on CD Dualtone nr ??);
00-00-47 - Blackwood Brothers Qt (White Church 1127 / Christian Education Service 1127 / Blackwood Bros 1127);
08-11-49 - Red Foley (Decca 14573);
00-02-53 - Lucille Barbee (Republic 7034);
26-01-55 - Faron Young (Capitol F 3107);
14-11-57 - The Harmonizing Four (Vee jay VJ 854);
24-06-58 - Tommy Collins (LP);
17-03-59 - Tennessee Ernie Ford (LP);
00-00-59 - Blackwood Brothers (LP Give the world a smile - Skylite records);
08-08-60 - Jimmie Davis (LP);
29-01-62 - Eddie Bond (LP);
00-00-62 - The Harvesters (LP);
03-07-63 - Marty Robbins (Columbia 39575);
00-00-63 - Tennesseans Quartet (LP);
00-11-64 - Stanley Brothers (LP);
00-00-64 - Sego Brothers & Naomi (LP);
00-00-65 - Duane Nicholson (LP).

colonel snow

[Davelee]

I think it's better performed on the 68 TV special.

[Juan Luis]

A few more choices:

The song was recorded:

00-01-46 - Sister Ernestine Washington with Bunk Johnson Jazz Band (Disc 6039) = original version;
00-00-46 - Sister Marie Knight & The Sunset Four (Haven 502); later on re-released in 1948 on Signature 32006;
00-00-47 - All American Quartet (Sacred records SS 537 and later on CD Dualtone nr ??);
00-00-47 - Blackwood Brothers Qt (White Church 1127 / Christian Education Service 1127 / Blackwood Bros 1127);
08-11-49 - Red Foley (Decca 14573);
00-02-53 - Lucille Barbee (Republic 7034);
26-01-55 - Faron Young (Capitol F 3107);
14-11-57 - The Harmonizing Four (Vee jay VJ 854);
24-06-58 - Tommy Collins (LP);
17-03-59 - Tennessee Ernie Ford (LP);
00-00-59 - Blackwood Brothers (LP Give the world a smile - Skylite records);
08-08-60 - Jimmie Davis (LP);
29-01-62 - Eddie Bond (LP);
00-00-62 - The Harvesters (LP);
03-07-63 - Marty Robbins (Columbia 39575);
00-00-63 - Tennesseans Quartet (LP);
00-11-64 - Stanley Brothers (LP);
00-00-64 - Sego Brothers & Naomi (LP);
00-00-65 - Duane Nicholson (LP).

colonel snow

Thanks for that!

[fn2drive]

This is when the Jarvis era began. Fantastic sessions, teriffic song! Thanks.



.

As noted yesterday the Jarvis era began when 'ol Felton went on Elvis payroll in mid 1970. We all know that his iconic recordings in 68 and 69 had no Felton- so it was a 2 year era or it was all Elvis and RCA's A and R rep was in the studio. But of course you are welcome to continue to deceive yourself. Kinda like thinking Jarvis was anything more than a mediocre hack. Nice try rewriting history.

[Davelee]

This is when the Jarvis era began. Fantastic sessions, teriffic song! Thanks.



.

As noted yesterday the Jarvis era began when 'ol Felton went on Elvis payroll in mid 1970. We all know that his iconic recordings in 68 and 69 had no Felton- so it was a 2 year era or it was all Elvis and RCA's A and R rep was in the studio. But of course you are welcome to continue to deceive yourself. Kinda like thinking Jarvis was anything more than a mediocre hack. Nice try rewriting history.

Wait till Juan sees this comment.

[charroman]

I no longer have it but the 68 NBC version although short has been edited and looped to form a complete performance (with fade out). From memory It sounded pretty good to me and not obviously looped as there is enough of the vocal performance and in studio quality etc

[Juan Luis]

This is when the Jarvis era began. Fantastic sessions, teriffic song! Thanks.



.

As noted yesterday the Jarvis era began when 'ol Felton went on Elvis payroll in mid 1970. We all know that his iconic recordings in 68 and 69 had no Felton- so it was a 2 year era or it was all Elvis and RCA's A and R rep was in the studio. But of course you are welcome to continue to deceive yourself. Kinda like thinking Jarvis was anything more than a mediocre hack. Nice try rewriting history.

Wait till Juan sees this comment.

That's trolling.

[Hobbes]

This may be my favorite song from HGTA. And like others on this thread, I'm not particularly religious but I'm really feeling the Spirit when I hear this one.

[Davelee]

This may be my favorite song from HGTA. And like others on this thread, I'm not particularly religious but I'm really feeling the Spirit when I hear this one.

My feelings too. I've alway preferred the version from the 68 TV special myself. Though Elvis sings great on HGTA, it's just the way the album as been recorded - sounds like it's recorded in the bathroom, it's got a funny sound.

[Tony C]

This is when the Jarvis era began. Fantastic sessions, teriffic song! Thanks.



.

As noted yesterday the Jarvis era began when 'ol Felton went on Elvis payroll in mid 1970. We all know that his iconic recordings in 68 and 69 had no Felton- so it was a 2 year era or it was all Elvis and RCA's A and R rep was in the studio. But of course you are welcome to continue to deceive yourself. Kinda like thinking Jarvis was anything more than a mediocre hack. Nice try rewriting history.

Wait till Juan sees this comment.

That's trolling.

I'm not sure how one would think that this thread tries to rewrite history, it is a one of the best songs from one of Elvis' finest albums. Great singing, great playing, great production. Thanks for reminding us of the song, Juan.

[Juan Luis]

This is when the Jarvis era began. Fantastic sessions, teriffic song! Thanks.



.

As noted yesterday the Jarvis era began when 'ol Felton went on Elvis payroll in mid 1970. We all know that his iconic recordings in 68 and 69 had no Felton- so it was a 2 year era or it was all Elvis and RCA's A and R rep was in the studio. But of course you are welcome to continue to deceive yourself. Kinda like thinking Jarvis was anything more than a mediocre hack. Nice try rewriting history.

Wait till Juan sees this comment.

That's trolling.

I'm not sure how one would think that this thread tries to rewrite history, it is a one of the best songs from one of Elvis' finest albums. Great singing, great playing, great production. Thanks for reminding us of the song, Juan.

Thank you!

[minkahed]

I'm a realist.

A breathe of fresh air in the midst of incoherent, passive grade d music, recorded specifically for a story line. No real feeling or emotion from Elvis within.

On this track, Elvis delivered.

[Chris Roberts]

My family first had this song on a single by Johnny Duncan in the 1950's, I greatly enjoyed his version but Elvis took it to another level with a much more sincere reading. Another choice song from my favourite gospel album.

[jerrynodak]

I prefer the studio version included in the "How Great Thou Art" LP over the version heard in the gospel medley on the '68 TV Special.

[Juan Luis]

I prefer the studio version included in the "How Great Thou Art" LP over the version heard in the gospel medley on the '68 TV Special.

So do I. Makes sense since it is standalone complete and without the arranged for TV horns, or the subtle, understated, and sublime vocals by Elvis.

[MikeFromHolland]

A few more choices:

The song was recorded:

00-01-46 - Sister Ernestine Washington with Bunk Johnson Jazz Band (Disc 6039) = original version;
00-00-46 - Sister Marie Knight & The Sunset Four (Haven 502); later on re-released in 1948 on Signature 32006;
00-00-47 - All American Quartet (Sacred records SS 537 and later on CD Dualtone nr ??);
00-00-47 - Blackwood Brothers Qt (White Church 1127 / Christian Education Service 1127 / Blackwood Bros 1127);
08-11-49 - Red Foley (Decca 14573);
00-02-53 - Lucille Barbee (Republic 7034);
26-01-55 - Faron Young (Capitol F 3107);
14-11-57 - The Harmonizing Four (Vee jay VJ 854);
24-06-58 - Tommy Collins (LP);
17-03-59 - Tennessee Ernie Ford (LP);
00-00-59 - Blackwood Brothers (LP Give the world a smile - Skylite records);
08-08-60 - Jimmie Davis (LP);
29-01-62 - Eddie Bond (LP);
00-00-62 - The Harvesters (LP);
03-07-63 - Marty Robbins (Columbia 39575);
00-00-63 - Tennesseans Quartet (LP);
00-11-64 - Stanley Brothers (LP);
00-00-64 - Sego Brothers & Naomi (LP);
00-00-65 - Duane Nicholson (LP).

colonel snow

Fantastic list, as always. Nice to hear some of them:

00-01-46 - Sister Ernestine Washington with Bunk Johnson Jazz Band
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26-01-55 - Faron Young
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14-11-57 - The Harmonizing Four
..


00-11-64 - Stanley Brothers
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00-06-66 - Connie Smith
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On this site: http://www.poplartunes.nl/where_could_i_go_but_to_the_lord.html it is stated that the original first recording is by The Harmoneers Quartet. They recorded it on November 27, 1945 already. (Sister Ernestine Washington recorded it on January 1, 1946).

Harmoneers Quartet - Where Could I Go!.png

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