A Thing Called Love

#266314

How many takes (master/alt) are available of Elvis' version of the Jerry Reed classic A Thing Called Love?

#266337

besides the master only 1 other version is available.
It is a rehersal released on Today tomorrow and forever box set from 2002.

#266338

KingElvis wrote:besides the master only 1 other version is available.
It is a rehersal released on Today tomorrow and forever box set from 2002.

And Elvis' voice is hard to discern on both !

#266387

You´re right ColinB and I will always prefer Jerry Reed´s version over Elvis´ version.

Sincerely MB280E

#266389

MB280E wrote:You´re right ColinB and I will always prefer Jerry Reed´s version over Elvis´ version.

And Johnny Cash !

#266449

Drop out one of the channels....(I think it is the left one.....been a while but I dropped out one of them and made a good mono mix that focused on Elvis voice). I wish they would remaster this to put Elvis voice WAY UP FRONT.

#266490

Nice avatar Big Boss Man

#266505

MB280E wrote:
You´re right ColinB and I will always prefer Jerry Reed´s version over Elvis´version.

I agree!

Jerry Reed's original version is a classic!

Unfortunately, Elvis and his band & backup singers didn't quite manage to do this song the justice it deserved...

I like Johnny Cash' version, but it's not as good as Jerry Reed's, in my humble opinion...

Br
Kristian

#266562

It´s one of my favourite songs recorded for He Touched Me album.

#266581

The song has been playing in my head since I first viewed this topic yesterday. Help!

#266585

sam wrote:Nice avatar Big Boss Man

Thanks ole' buddy

oh, I forgot.......HI SAM!

#266627

elvisjock wrote:The song has been playing in my head since I first viewed this topic yesterday. Help!

Not only that, but if I'm not mistaken, you can hear Elvis's nose "whistle" a few times. Check it out...

#266629

Big Boss Man wrote:
sam wrote:Nice avatar Big Boss Man

Thanks ole' buddy

oh, I forgot.......HI SAM!

Hi Big Boss Man!!!

#266654

Elvis almost always automatically surpasses the original version of often great tunes, but on this one, I have to hand it to Jerry Reed. I happened to be driving to this very song over the weekend by Reed...

By contrast, have any of you heard Gordon Lightfoot's original "Early Morning Rain"?

I had to push someone near and dear away from the "off" button this weekend as I labored through it!

#266728

Covers of the song were also done by Lynn Anderson, Jimmy Dean and Ed Ames.

#266782

I really think A Thing Called Love is a wretched, horrible dippy piece of tripe, and one of Elvis' worst performances.

As for Early Morning Rain, Elvis' performance is o.k, but any Gordon Lightfoot performance from his early days beats E's.

Keith F · #266784

BIA wrote:I really think A Thing Called Love is a wretched, horrible dippy piece of tripe, and one of Elvis' worst performances

We are all due to our own personal opinions Brian, but you've probably only heard the Master of the song (and the rehearsal), and not Elvis' original undubbed version. I think after heraing it, you might change your mind.

Oh, sorry it hasn't been released has it?

#266819

BIA wrote:I really think A Thing Called Love is a wretched, horrible dippy piece of tripe, and one of Elvis' worst performances.

As for Early Morning Rain, Elvis' performance is o.k, but any Gordon Lightfoot performance from his early days beats E's.

Wow, now that wuz brutal...

...but I disagree...

Rob · #266822

BIA wrote:I really think A Thing Called Love is a wretched, horrible dippy piece of tripe, and one of Elvis' worst performances.

As for Early Morning Rain, Elvis' performance is o.k, but any Gordon Lightfoot performance from his early days beats E's.

I couldn't disagree more -- with everything.

#266900

BIA wrote:I really think A Thing Called Love is a wretched, horrible dippy piece of tripe, and one of Elvis' worst performances.

Each in your own but this comment sounds like insane to me.

#266904

I like the song, (as sung by Elvis)!!!

JerryNodak · #266911

A musician friend once told me that he and Jerry Reed had a conversation about Elvis' version of "A Thing Called Love" and that Jerry really liked Elvis' version because he was the only person who recorded it
the way Jerry had intended it. With the harmonizing voices etc.

So, NO It shouldn't be remixed with Elvis' voice brought upfront etc. Jerry Reed likes it the way it is. That's good enough for me. It's his song.

#266927

Keith F wrote:....you've probably only heard the Master of the song (and the rehearsal), and not Elvis' original undubbed version.
I think after heraing it, you might change your mind.
Oh, sorry it hasn't been released has it?

Swine !

#266952

BIA wrote:I really think A Thing Called Love is a wretched, horrible dippy piece of tripe, and one of Elvis' worst performances.

Oh, calm down. It's not "Yoga Is As Yoga Does."

Take a listen to Jerry Reed's original and see if you can still say the same. It's not a *great* song but it's effective and is the rare original that remains above an Elvis cover version.

BIA wrote:

As for Early Morning Rain, Elvis' performance is o.k, but any Gordon Lightfoot performance from his early days beats E's.

Any?

I can't believe that you think that Gordon Lightfoot's version is superior! If I really wanted to be as unkind or ungenerous as you are to this material, I'd say Lightfoot's arrangement is rather overly-folky and a bit depressing, while Elvis' version is quite beautiful.

I couldn't help think it was "exhibit A" in why songwriters are best kept at their main craft as opposed to vocalizing what they write. On it, he's tolerable at best to these ears, especially compared to Elvis' version.

And I say that as someone who respects and like Mr. Lightfoot, judging from a terrific Goldmine interview in the last few months. I wouldn't even mind owning a greatest hits album, as I recall that one big hit he had fondly.

Juan Luis · #266956

Gordon Lightfoot sings pretty good and was honored Elvis recorded his songs. He regretted not meeting Elvis when he had a chance but in those days he was more an outsider and did not mingle or words to that effect with celebs etc.