Best track on "How great thou art" LP 1967

#382268

I can´t imagine what relief it must have been for the fans, when this album was released (if you´re into gospel of course) after the soundtracks of the mid sixties. As a gospel album, it sems perfect to me and it is my favourite of the three albums (the other two are great as well).

Three tracks have to go and it´s a pain to do it, because there´s not a bad track iin sight. Crying in the chapel doesn´t really fits vocally as it was recorded in 1960, but I can´t put that track away. So "Without him", "Stand by me", and If the lord wasn´t walking by my side must leave...for no particular reasons. To choose the winner is even harder, although the title track perhaps is the obvious winner, but I really love "Somebody bigger..", "Where could I go.." (it was even better in 1968) and Where no one stands alone". Just to surprise a few here, I give my vote to the last one.

Keep the votes coming!

Regards//Björn

#382282

I voted for Somebody Bigger Than You and I. A nice ballad I thought.

#382295

Where no one stands alone, my favorite Elvis Gospel (studio) song.

#382375

"In the Garden" for me. beautiful melody, beautiful lyrics and the one I imagine was the first he sang after he died.

(Occupational hazard imagining that kinda thing!)

#382402

"Crying in the Chapel" is sheer bliss. I rate this as one of EP's finest vocal performances.

But my vote out of the songs recorded during the actual session and which appear on this album would be for the eponymous "How Great Thou Art". Elvis really nailed this one. His voice is deep, rich and majestic -- a "furious devout drench", to quote Philip Larkin.

One track I don't care greatly for is "Where No One Stands Alone". Compared to the impassioned, one-off 1977 live performance, this version sounds somewhat anemic and stale.

Matthew · #382418

I would have removed "Crying In The Chapel" from the 10 options and left on "Stand By Me". As great as "Crying In The Chapel" is, it was only ever a bonus track when it came to the "How Great Thou Art" album. On the flip side of this we must be very thankful to the fans that made the 1965 single such a success, for without them we may not have the “How Great Thou Art” album to enjoy today.

From the list my vote goes to: “Where Could I Go But To The Lord?”, I love the grove of this song.

JerryNodak · #382430

All the songs are great. It's a shame any had to go. All the tracks are "best." I'll vote for "How Great Thou Art."

#382522

Cryogenic wrote:"Crying in the Chapel" is sheer bliss. I rate this as one of EP's finest vocal performances.

But my vote out of the songs recorded during the actual session and which appear on this album would be for the eponymous "How Great Thou Art". Elvis really nailed this one. His voice is deep, rich and majestic -- a "furious devout drench", to quote Philip Larkin.

One track I don't care greatly for is "Where No One Stands Alone". Compared to the impassioned, one-off 1977 live performance, this version sounds somewhat anemic and stale.

There´s no question about the passion of the 1977 recording, but he had better timing, breath control and vibrato on the studio master. So I really prefer the 1966 recording.

//Björn

#382547

Suspicious Minds wrote:I voted for Somebody Bigger Than You and I.

So did I.

Btw, Spellbinder, shouldn't it be "Somebody Bigger Than You And Me"? Or is it just short for "Somebody Bigger Than You And I Thought"?

#383015

every track on this wonderful LP is diamond but i voted for:
RUN ON
also like very much: STAND BY ME , SOMEBODY BIGGER THAN YOU & I
sincerely
Lior

#392223

Where no one stands alone won over the mighty title track. It´s so fun when pure Elvis fans votes!

Thanks for voting!

//Björn

#1847571

easily one of the 10 greatest albums he ever recorded.
run on is my choice.
but there is no wrong answer.

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