Stranger Vs Stranger

The song Stranger In My Own Hometown is one of Elvis' greatest.
Which version do you prefer - the 1969 Memphis recording or the 1970 slow blues rehearsal (with improvised lyrics)?

The song Stranger In My Own Hometown is one of Elvis' greatest.
Which version do you prefer - the 1969 Memphis recording or the 1970 slow blues rehearsal (with improvised lyrics)?

The 1969 master cannot be topped -- great song, brilliant, playful vocal, stellar musicianship, superb production and arrangement. What a triumph!

The 1970 rehearsal is just that: a less-than-serious run through.

Both equally great in different ways, in my opinion.

Both equally great in different ways, in my opinion.

Yes, they are very different !

The rehearsal serves as a good example of Elvis' devilish sense of humour !

The Doc said it all.

//Björn

The Doc said it all.

//Björn

Thankyouverymuch!

Trust the doc!

I agree with ya there Dr. John

The song Stranger In My Own Hometown is one of Elvis' greatest.
Which version do you prefer - the 1969 Memphis recording or the 1970 slow blues rehearsal (with improvised lyrics)?

The 1969 master cannot be topped -- great song, brilliant, playful vocal, stellar musicianship, superb production and arrangement. What a triumph!

The 1970 rehearsal is just that: a less-than-serious run through.

Never cared for the studio master. Too soul for me. The 1970 version really made me prick my ears up though!

Never cared for the studio master. Too soul for me.

You may have an issue.

The very best of Elvis is nothing but soul.

I mean soul in the musical sense. I don't like soul music or motown and this arrangement reminds me of both.

I feel the soul in country, blues, rock n roll and pop and dixie and gospel and all the other areas he covered. I don't DISLIKE the 69 master, i wouldn't skip it, but it doesn't set me on fire.

I don't like soul music or motown and this arrangement reminds me of both.

Wow.

I mean soul in the musical sense. I don't like soul music or motown and this arrangement reminds me of both.

I feel the soul in country, blues, rock n roll and pop and dixie and gospel and all the other areas he covered. I don't DISLIKE the 69 master, i wouldn't skip it, but it doesn't set me on fire.

Stranger in my own hometown is a blues song not soul

Yeah it's a blues song, but the memphis arrangement with the driving drum beat and the horns has a very strong sould influence. And as i said, I just don't like soul music. I love pretty much everything from the 60s except the soul/motown vibe (and reggae which is one of my least faouite styles of muic ever). I like beat, pop, country, country rock, R&B, harmony stuff, psychedelic, baroque, whimsy, music hall, swing, light jazz, big band, some folk .... but I don't own a single motown record cos it bores me.

Voted for the rehearsal version but I love them both, Elvis at his best!

Lennart

I love them both too, but the soulful studio version is still the best to my ears.

Yeah it's a blues song, but the memphis arrangement with the driving drum beat and the horns has a very strong sould influence. And as i said, I just don't like soul music. I love pretty much everything from the 60s except the soul/motown vibe (and reggae which is one of my least faouite styles of muic ever). I like beat, pop, country, country rock, R&B, harmony stuff, psychedelic, baroque, whimsy, music hall, swing, light jazz, big band, some folk .... but I don't own a single motown record cos it bores me.

As far as Motown's concerned, I hear what you mean: I like a lot of the Motown stuff from the '60s and beyond, largely on the strength of the performers (Marvin Gaye, for one), and I recognize the label's historic significance, but in my opinion a lot of it is most definitely overproduced. A little rawness -- perhaps a little more Stax -- would probably have helped in that respect.

Both equally great in different ways, in my opinion.

My opinion exactly. That's why I didn't vote.

Both equally great in different ways, in my opinion.

My opinion exactly. That's why I didn't vote.

I guess we're too radical for this thread!

Bluesy song with a great horns and stunning bassline. -69 studio version of course.

the 1970 performance reminds me of the Tiger man we are arguing about on the little darling thread

a more laid back bluesy approach that again works well as an alternative way of doing the song

No question: The 1970 rehearsal version got my quote. It's playful in the best sense of meaning. The studio master is a bit boring in comparison.

No question: The 1970 rehearsal version got my quote. It's playful in the best sense of meaning. The studio master is a bit boring in comparison.

Wow. That is BOLD.

The 1970 version sure is cool - that is for sure.

No question: The 1970 rehearsal version got my quote. It's playful in the best sense of meaning. The studio master is a bit boring in comparison.

Wow. That is BOLD.

The 1970 version sure is cool - that is for sure.

It's just how I feel about it.

It's just how I feel about it.

That's cool.

I prefer the '70 one too.

I prefer the rehearsal.