I'll Be There

[poormadpeter2]

You know, this is a negligible cut from 1969. It deserved its placement on a budget release when it came out but would have been a standout on Elvis Now or Fool.

I think it's a better cut than From a Jack to a King and should have replaced it on Back in Memphis.

[MRM]

You know, this is a negligible cut from 1969. It deserved its placement on a budget release when it came out but would have been a standout on Elvis Now or Fool.

I think it's a better cut than From a Jack to a King and should have replaced it on Back in Memphis.

I agree with that. With the exception of "Stranger in My Own Hometown," I think most of the tracks on "Back in Memphis" are of far less quality than "FEIM." "You'll Think of Me" is good.

[drjohncarpenter]

I agree with that. With the exception of "Stranger in My Own Hometown," I think most of the tracks on "Back in Memphis" are of far less quality than "FEIM." "You'll Think of Me" is good.

Perhaps the studio half of 1969's From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis could have been better. Of course, we know producer Chips Moman worked with just one LP in mind to accompany the single releases. In particular, he avoided the Freddy Bienstock material he dutifully added to the ledger when working with Elvis. But RCA had other ideas, and so had Felton Jarvis cobble together ten songs, several of which were those Bienstock submissions.

That said, "From A Jack To A King" does feature Elvis singing in spectacular fashion, it was a far bigger hit, and he's playing some acoustic as well. Those three points put it ahead of "I'll Be There." Plus, his dad loved the song.

It is interesting that two of the biggest hits on the pop and country charts in 1962, "From A Jack To A King" and "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'," ended up being cut by Elvis in Memphis in 1969.

http://www.musicvf.com/top_country_songs_of_1962
'
Most of the other songs are at least enjoyable, if not exciting, because of Elvis, the band, the arrangements and the production, which are off-the-charts superb. And who doesn't love Percy Mayfield's "Stranger In My Own Home Town," Neil Diamond's "And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind" (far better than Neil's recording) or "You'll Think of Me" from the pen of Mort Shuman?

And let's not forget the closer, "Without Love (There is Nothing)," in which Presley tackles a 1957 hit by r&b idol Clyde McPhatter with passion, and takes it home in a rousing finale not unlike that heard on "My WIsh Came True" or "There's Always Me." His pal Tom Jones released a single of it in late 1969, which became a very popular hit for him in the new year, too.

Given what was to come for Elvis, this studio album ain't too shabby.

[MRM]

Of those you mention, doctor, I'm not impressed with Elvis' version of "Jack to a King," or the Neil Diamond song. I'll take "I'll Be There" over them. I am familiar with the original country version of "Jack." But you're right -- there were lesser songs to come.

[stevelecher]

Those Doc mentioned are the highlights, along with A Little Bit Of Green. This is actually a very nice studio LP.

[drjohncarpenter]

Of those you mention, doctor, I'm not impressed with Elvis' version of "Jack to a King," or the Neil Diamond song. I'll take "I'll Be There" over them. I am familiar with the original country version of "Jack." But you're right -- there were lesser songs to come.

Interestingly, I used to hear Elvis' cover of the Neil Diamond song on the radio, which surprised me, as it wasn't a single. It certainly had appeal.

Those Doc mentioned are the highlights, along with A Little Bit Of Green. This is actually a very nice studio LP.

"A Little Bit Of Green" follows the Diamond song really well, and ends the first side in classy fashion. And who doesn't love Charlie Hodge's harmony vocal?

The decade started with a Hodge harmony on the first studio LP (1960), and ended with a Hodge harmony on the last studio LP (1969).

Serendipitous perfection!

[GERRY]

Next youll be saying Elvis recorded "Hurt" in 1976 because of a 1955 album.
Yes of course Elvis liked Roy Hamilton.
But in 1975. The. Manhattans had their hit with this.

Yeah Elvis didnt record this because that was on the radio......either. ....I rest my case.

[GERRY]

I agree Doc. I too dig. Carlies harmony its great. I dig it even on the home recordings.

And on stuff like. IJCHB. Its just a beautiful work of art.

Gerry- pointing out stuff that you miss is my job.

[poormadpeter2]

Next youll be saying Elvis recorded "Hurt" in 1976 because of a 1955 album.
Yes of course Elvis liked Roy Hamilton.
But in 1975. The. Manhattans had their hit with this.

Yeah Elvis didnt record this because that was on the radio......either. ....I rest my case.

The Manhattan's so-called hit reached 97 in the charts. So you're right, Elvis didn't record this because it was on the radio!!!!

Your comments are becoming more and more absurd - that Elvis was influenced by #97 single - and completely lack any understanding of Elvis's motivations when it came to the songs he recorded. He constantly returned to the songs he loved when he recorded. The songs could have been recorded decades earlier and Elvis still drew on that material. That is why we have Down in the Alley and Come What May and I'll Hold You In My Heart and Little Cabin on the Hill and Shake a Hand and Promised Land and Runaway and Unchained Melody and Little Darlin' and He'll Have To Go - and literally dozens more. He didn't record those songs because they had been released the year before (which they hadn't), but because he had loved them for years. They were part of his musical knowledge and his musical fabric.

What you are suggesting is totally ridiculous.

You are saying that Elvis was influenced by this, a song that reached #97 in the charts:

..

and not by this, a recording from an album he recorded six songs from, most of which followed the same arrangements and vocal line:

..

Now, which one do you REALLY think influence Elvis? The one that sounds nothing like his recording or the one that has the same vocal phrasing?

[stevelecher]

Of those you mention, doctor, I'm not impressed with Elvis' version of "Jack to a King," or the Neil Diamond song. I'll take "I'll Be There" over them. I am familiar with the original country version of "Jack." But you're right -- there were lesser songs to come.

Interestingly, I used to hear Elvis' cover of the Neil Diamond song on the radio, which surprised me, as it wasn't a single. It certainly had appeal.

Those Doc mentioned are the highlights, along with A Little Bit Of Green. This is actually a very nice studio LP.

"A Little Bit Of Green" follows the Diamond song really well, and ends the first side in classy fashion. And who doesn't love Charlie Hodge's harmony vocal?

The decade started with a Hodge harmony on the first studio LP (1960), and ended with a Hodge harmony on the last studio LP (1969).

Serendipitous perfection!

Actually, A Little Bit Of Green preceded the Diamond song but I agree, they ended that first side with great style, especially after Stranger In My Own Home Town. I love Charlie on "Green," and on IJCHB, but not so much on the 1960 cut.

[fn2drive]

It was essentially a throwaway, and Elvis doesn't know all the words, but it still works better than Bobby's original for me. The whole feel of the song is more relaxed and uncluttered.

And therefore ripe for release by Elvis’ record company, manager and producer.

[Juan Luis]

I agree with that. With the exception of "Stranger in My Own Hometown," I think most of the tracks on "Back in Memphis" are of far less quality than "FEIM." "You'll Think of Me" is good.

Perhaps the studio half of 1969's From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis could have been better. Of course, we know producer Chips Moman worked with just one LP in mind to accompany the single releases. In particular, he avoided the Freddy Bienstock material he dutifully added to the ledger when working with Elvis. But RCA had other ideas, and so had Felton Jarvis cobble together ten songs, several of which were those Bienstock submissions.

That said, "From A Jack To A King" does feature Elvis singing in spectacular fashion, it was a far bigger hit, and he's playing some acoustic as well. Those three points put it ahead of "I'll Be There." Plus, his dad loved the song.

It is interesting that two of the biggest hits on the pop and country charts in 1962, "From A Jack To A King" and "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'," ended up being cut by Elvis in Memphis in 1969.

http://www.musicvf.com/top_country_songs_of_1962
'
Most of the other songs are at least enjoyable, if not exciting, because of Elvis, the band, the arrangements and the production, which are off-the-charts superb. And who doesn't love Percy Mayfield's "Stranger In My Own Home Town," Neil Diamond's "And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind" (far better than Neil's recording) or "You'll Think of Me" from the pen of Mort Shuman?

And let's not forget the closer, "Without Love (There is Nothing)," in which Presley tackles a 1957 hit by r&b idol Clyde McPhatter with passion, and takes it home in a rousing finale not unlike that heard on "My WIsh Came True" or "There's Always Me." His pal Tom Jones released a single of it in late 1969, which became a very popular hit for him in the new year, too.

Given what was to come for Elvis, this studio album ain't too shabby.

The record has shown Chips Moman had no say in what became of the album, and what singles, and when they would be released. No say or control whatsoever after the tapes left Memphis. It was up to RCA/Felton Jarvis and Elvis Presley. And that was the name of that tune!

[stevelecher]

And no name on the first LP. Yeah, the whole thing left Chips a little irritated.

[drjohncarpenter]

Actually, A Little Bit Of Green preceded the Diamond song but I agree, they ended that first side with great style, especially after Stranger In My Own Home Town. I love Charlie on "Green," and on IJCHB, but not so much on the 1960 cut.

Not sure what IJCHB is, but you're right, I flipped 'em.

My favorite sequence on the album is "Stranger In My Own Home Town" --> "A Little Bit of Green" --> "And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind."

Chips and Elvis, what a kick-ass team.

[GroovinGarrett]

And no name on the first LP. Yeah, the whole thing left Chips a little irritated.

Considering that Chips Moman produced the LP and sessions, he had every right to be more than a little irritated.

[Juan Luis]

And no name on the first LP. Yeah, the whole thing left Chips a little irritated.

Considering that Chips Moman produced the LP and sessions, he had every right to be more than a little irritated.

If it was his project. Yes, he would have the right. But he was HIRED by RCA... and thus they called the shots along with Elvis. It was an arrangement made from the start.

[midnightx]

And no name on the first LP. Yeah, the whole thing left Chips a little irritated.

Considering that Chips Moman produced the LP and sessions, he had every right to be more than a little irritated.

If it was his project. Yes, he would have the right. But he was HIRED by RCA... and thus they called the shots along with Elvis. It was an arrangement made from the start.

You are so consumed with RCA hiring Moman, as if it was something unique. Moman still produced the sessions, and as such, was entitled to an appropriate credit. Numerous producers contracted with record labels to produce albums during the 1960's and 1970's. That does mean the label "called the shots." The labels hire the producers to "call the shots." The label decides if it is going to release the results from the sessions or the delivered album, but the producer is not some sort of glorified lackey.

[drjohncarpenter]

And no name on the first LP. Yeah, the whole thing left Chips a little irritated.

Considering that Chips Moman produced the LP and sessions, he had every right to be more than a little irritated.

Steve Binder and Bones Howe got shafted the same way on the TV Special LP in 1968. The music that resuscitated his moribund career. Presley management and publishers were, to be blunt, basically ass'holes.

[stevelecher]

Actually, A Little Bit Of Green preceded the Diamond song but I agree, they ended that first side with great style, especially after Stranger In My Own Home Town. I love Charlie on "Green," and on IJCHB, but not so much on the 1960 cut.

Not sure what IJCHB is, but you're right, I flipped 'em.

My favorite sequence on the album is "Stranger In My Own Home Town" --> "A Little Bit of Green" --> "And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind."

Chips and Elvis, what a kick-ass team.

I Just Can't Help Believing. I think Sony was wrong in deleting Charlie's accompaniment on their TTWII set. No need for that and it mystifies me.

[Juan Luis]

And no name on the first LP. Yeah, the whole thing left Chips a little irritated.

Considering that Chips Moman produced the LP and sessions, he had every right to be more than a little irritated.

If it was his project. Yes, he would have the right. But he was HIRED by RCA... and thus they called the shots along with Elvis. It was an arrangement made from the start.

You are so consumed with RCA hiring Moman, as if it was something unique. Moman still produced the sessions, and as such, was entitled to an appropriate credit. Numerous producers contracted with record labels to produce albums during the 1960's and 1970's. That does mean the label "called the shots." The labels hire the producers to "call the shots." The label decides if it is going to release the results from the sessions or the delivered album, but the producer is not some sort of glorified lackey.

SO? With other labels yes, NOT WITH RCA to call the "shots"
. Consumed with the truth as if Moman had free reign during the sessions. He did not. Even the tapes weren't controlled by Chips Moman but by two RCA engineers +Felton Jarvis.

[sweetangeline]

Chips Moman

Felton Jarvis

I know who`s résumé on would want on my table

[Juan Luis]

Chips Moman

Felton Jarvis

I know who`s résumé on would want on my table

So do I.

[sweetangeline]

Chips Moman

Felton Jarvis

I know who`s résumé on would want on my table

So do I.

By golly...nice to finally know we are on the same page!!

[Pete Dube]

I like Elvis' rendition of I'll Be There well enough, and it would've been a nice addition to Back In Memphis. But an even better proposition would've been to release the Elvis In Person live lp as a single disc, then release BIM in February/March 1970 with Don't Cry Daddy and Kentucky Rain added to the lineup for a 12 track lp. I also would've replaced The Fair 's Moving On with Rubberneckin' to give the album another rocker.

[GroovinGarrett]

And no name on the first LP. Yeah, the whole thing left Chips a little irritated.

Considering that Chips Moman produced the LP and sessions, he had every right to be more than a little irritated.

Steve Binder and Bones Howe got shafted the same way on the TV Special LP in 1968. The music that resuscitated his moribund career. Presley management and publishers were, to be blunt, basically ass'holes.

Without a doubt.

Dayton "Bones" Howe doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves. We wouldn't be enjoying all of those Radio Recorders and Singer Special outtakes if it weren't for his efforts. They weren't sitting in some "abandoned salt mine" waiting to be discovered.