Best track on "Back in Memphis" LP 1969

#415187

And finally (after some problems...special thanks to "Cryogenic)) we have come to the twin brother of "Elvis in person". This is probably one of the most underrated albums that Elvis did, which is a shame. Ok, it´s not in the same class a "From Elvis in Memphis", "Is back", "Elvis Presley" (1956) or "Elvis Country", but it´s defenitely on Elvis top 8 studio albums.
"Inherit the wind" is not an opener like "Wearin´ that loved on look", but still a top class track. Normally I´m not that fond of ballads in Waltz tempo like "This is our dance", but "This is the story" is so well sunged (like most of the other tracks on the album) and has to my ears, some unusual chord changes. But the next track is incredible. Pure fun and pretty wild. Ironic that "Stranger in my own home town" was recorded in...yes...Memphis! "A little bit of green" should have been recorded in a lower key, in my opinion. But Neil Diamond is probably quite satisfied with Elvis´ version of "And the grass won´t pay no mind", a track that I like a bit more than "Sweet Caroline". Side two gets a strong opening with "Do you know who I am". The arrangement is nice with some strings, but not so heavily overdubbed as some tracks on "Love letters from Elvis". "From a Jack to a king" is not my cup of tea, but you don´t have to be a music expert to hear how fun Elvis has on this track. The accoustic guitar strumming sounds very much like the king himself, or? After this we get two single B-sides in a row and "You´ll think of me" is a very catchy pop tune. A favourite on the album. All things have to come to an end and here we have "Without love", a powerful performance!

I can´t help feeling that this album is a missed opportunity. RCA should have released "Back in Memphis" as a single LP in 1969 as 12 track album and included the studio master of "Suspicious minds" (as they did with "From Elvis in Memphis", where they included the mega hit "In the ghetto"). Probably a top ten album. "Elvis in person" could have been released as a double live album instead and could also been an even bigger classic than it already is. Well, you can always dream. Well, which track is my choice. Hard to tell, but I have to give "Stranger in my home town" my vote.

Vote on!

Regards//Björn

#415188

My vote goes for "Stranger in my home town"...

Joern

#415189

Joern wrote:My vote goes for "Stranger in my home town"...

Joern

Jesus Christ! You were really fast on this one!!!

//Björn

#415210

I voted for A Little Bit of Green. All this album is my favourite.

#415238

Now this was tough! I agree Björn, it's a great, underrated album. Actually I listen more to this than "From Elvis In Memphis". I really like the graceful and sophisticated feel on "Back In Memphis". Super cool cover, too.

Keith Richards, Jr.

JerryNodak · #415246

Really tough call because I like everything except "Stranger In My Hometown."
What is the love affair everyone seems to have with this song? It ain't no "Reconsider Baby."

Anyway my vote went to "You'll Think Of Me." Just ahead of "Inherit The Wind."

#415555

After listening to it again this morning ..A Little bit of Green

#415569

JerryNodak wrote:Really tough call because I like everything except "Stranger In My Hometown."
What is the love affair everyone seems to have with this song? It ain't no "Reconsider Baby."

Anyway my vote went to "You'll Think Of Me." Just ahead of "Inherit The Wind."

Some songs talks to the brain, other songs talks to lower parts of the body. The latter alternative doesn´t have to be a less good choice. "Stranger..." has the definitive party feeling over it. But I like your choice too.

//Björn

#415597

I think some of this album is a little mor. I know Elvis' 70s albums get accused of this more, but From A Jack To A King, And The Grass, and Little Bit Of Green, are a bit over produced and too much like Neil Diamond. Considering he wrote one of them makes this somewhat expected, but there are so many songs I like more from the Memphis sessions. Half of this album is Elvis at his very best. Do You Know Who I Am is haunting, almost Spector like in production. I had to pick Stranger. He is just so into it. If you can listen to the remix on the Reconsider Baby LP it is wild.

#417774

Do you know who I am

#417941

sylvain wrote:Do you know who I am

Sylvain...perhaps??

//Björn

#418076

Stranger In My Own Home Town got my vote.

#418747

dreambear wrote:
Joern wrote:My vote goes for "Stranger in my home town"...

Joern
Jesus Christ! You were really fast on this one!!!

//Björn

Hehe

! I don't want to stand outside off this poll. I like the album a lot and "Stranger" is one of my personal favorites.

Joern

#419042

You´ll think of me

Matthew · #423534

Imagine the potential for this album has it featured such material as:

"Suspicious Minds", "Kentucky Rain", and "Don't Cry Daddy".

Of course in the double album format "Suspicious Minds" was featured on "In Person".

#424054

Another interesting and very good LP
i choose: AND THE GRASS WONT PAY NO MIND !!! now this one is a very spacial song by the king dont you think?
also like very much: Youll think of me, a little bit of green...
Sincerely
LIOR

#426156

What a victory for "Stranger in my own home town"! But it´s shocking that "Inherit the wind" didn´t get any votes at all. It´s one of my favourite tracks on the album.

Thank you for voting!

//Björn

#426522

Inherit is a good song. I just didn't think it was the "best".

#428049

Dammit, missed this poll. Mine would have been the sole vote cast for inherit The Wind - one of his most underrated songs I would say.

Jules

JerryNodak · #429470

Agreed. I like that one, too.

#1847573

without love

very good album.
often gets lost in the massive shadow of its brother from elvis in memphis.
might be different if suspicious minds,kentucky rain,dont cry daddy and mama liked the roses had been included.

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