How The Web Was Woven

[MikeFromHolland]

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The original version was written by the English songwriters Clive Westlake and David Most for Jackie Lomax (1944-2013), recorded in the Apple Studio and produced by George Harrison. It was the A-side of Lomax’ last single for the label. The B-side “Thumbin’ a Ride” was a cover of the Leiber & Stoller song and produced by Paul McCartney. The single was issued in the United Kingdom on February 6, 1970 (as Apple 23) and on March 9 in the United States (as Apple 1819), where the previously released "Fall Inside Your Eyes" was the B-side. As with Lomax's previous singles for the label, it failed to chart.

A German version was also recorded at the same time (October/November 1969) but not released. We had to wait until 2010 for the official release of So Was Das Netz Gewoben:







According to Tony Hiller, another London-based songwriter, David Most first approached Australian producer David Mackay with an idea for How The Web Was Woven and Mackay provided the melody for the chorus. Westlake and Most completed the song and recorded a demo. This and several other Carlin demos were then submitted as material for Elvis to record via Freddy Bienstock, who owned Carlin and looked after Elvis’ music publishing interests in the company Hill & Range.

Somehow this demo was selected for Elvis to record. He recorded his version on June 5, 1970. This is take 1, as released in 2020:




Elvis’ version was first released on the album That’s The Way It Is on November 11, 1970. It became the b-side of the single “I Just Can’t Help Believin’” which was released in the UK a year later, in November 1971, peaking at No. 6. This single also reached No. 6 in South Africa, and No. 12 in Ireland.

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According to David Neale, co-writer Clive Westlake released his own version of the song on November 4, 1973, but I can’t find a video to share.



Sources
https://davidneale.eu/elvis/originals/list4.html#S1250
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Web_Was_Woven
https://secondhandsongs.com/work/116990/versions#nav-entity
https://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/700605.html
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Lomax
https://www.originals.be/nl/originals/2578
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That%27s_the_Way_It_Is_(Elvis_Presley_album)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Just_Can%27t_Help_Believing

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[If_I_Can_Dream]

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[eric c]

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beautiful song from the equally beautiful that's the way it is album.
the intro is worth the price of admission.
one of my favorites from his brilliant nashville marathon.

[eric c]

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recorded on june 5,1970.
•bridge over troubled water
•got my mojo workin'
•how the web was woven
•it's your baby,you rock it
•stranger in the crowd
•i'll never know
•mary in the morning

woulda been a kick-ass session to have been at.

[ElSandro68]

The correct German title is: "So war das Netz gewoben".

[Mike Windgren]

Hi there!! .

Cool topic, thanks for sharing!.

Can´t stand the Jackie Lomax version of this song.

It´s such a beautiful version by Elvis, that I could spend the whole day listening to the complete recording session of How The Web Was Woven . Bye for now .

[londonflash]

Love the outtakes where you hear Elvis working on this song and discussing its arrangement.

[BrianTCB]

One of my favorite songs by Elvis. I can't ever get enough of this tune.

One of my favorite all-time tracks.

[elvis-fan]

One of my favorite moments during TTWII with John watching Elvis on the piano...

[Christopher Brown]

A terrific song performed flawlessly by Elvis in 1970 on my favourite Elvis Presley album -- probably the most played album in my life.

[elvis-fan]

A terrific song performed flawlessly by Elvis in 1970 on my favourite Elvis Presley album -- probably the most played album in my life.

It's definitely in my top 5!!!

[DEH]

Wish he had done it live for the MGM camera’s in 1970.

[elvis-fan]

Wish he had done it live for the MGM camera’s in 1970.

That one and Mary in The Morning... never understood why he didn't end up doing those songs...

[DEH]

Mary In The Morning was on the schedule for opening night but instead he choose to do The Next Step Is Love. Great that he did that song but would have preferred Mary.

[Ciscoking]

The correct German title is: "So war das Netz gewoben".

Its just horrible...shame on that singer...God bless Elvis.

[Steve Morse]

A terrific song performed flawlessly by Elvis in 1970 on my favourite Elvis Presley album -- probably the most played album in my life.

Probably Elvis's most contemporary, most sophisticated album ever, yet it was largely unacknowledged at the time or since by the music world at large. The arrangements on the ballads are often exquisite. Perhaps my favourite song is "Twenty Days and Twenty Nights" and the whole album is superb, though I don't like the chosen master for "Bridge" - it's too histrionic and Take 1 is much better.

Those June sessions should have been the launch-pad for a new modern direction for Elvis, but . . .

[MikeFromHolland]

A terrific song performed flawlessly by Elvis in 1970 on my favourite Elvis Presley album -- probably the most played album in my life.

Probably Elvis's most contemporary, most sophisticated album ever, yet it was largely unacknowledged at the time or since by the music world at large. The arrangements on the ballads are often exquisite. Perhaps my favourite song is "Twenty Days and Twenty Nights" and the whole album is superb, though I don't like the chosen master for "Bridge" - it's too histrionic and Take 1 is much better.

Those June sessions should have been the launch-pad for a new modern direction for Elvis, but . . .

Another Clive Westlake composition (written with Ben Weisman). It may have come with the other demos…

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[jurasic1968]

If a new modern direction for Elvis was to sing almost only ballads and covers in the 70 s, I prefer to listen to his rock and roll songs, including Burning Love, Promised Land, For the Heart. Patch it Up and T. R. O. U. B. L. E. And also Way Down and Moody Blue.

[r&b]

If a new modern direction for Elvis was to sing almost only ballads and covers in the 70 s, I prefer to listen to his rock and roll songs, including Burning Love, Promised Land, For the Heart. Patch it Up and T. R. O. U. B. L. E. And also Way Down and Moody Blue.

Agree, and lets not forget the new modern direction for Elvis was set up with his sessions in Memphis with Chips. Quality material, new style of backing with a modern sound and a rejuvenated star. By 1970, Felton was back in charge, and as Marty Lacker once told me the substandard songs were making their way back in to the mix and Elvis didnt do a thing about it. it was business as usual. While this song is better than a lot of what followed, its not great by any means and the whole TTWII LP is vastly overrated in my opinion, with Stranger In the Crowd being the stand-out track. The sessions ballads just do not compare to the Memphis ballads and there is really no uptempo music to compare with , except for Patch It Up which got buried on a B side. He was back on top at the end of 69, and should have had the cream of the crop as far as material, writers, studios and producers to work with. The Col. was happy.

[jurasic1968]

Fully agree with you.

[jurasic1968]

Even songs like Cindy, Cindy and Got My Mojo Working, Hatts Off were good to be mentioned.

[LSP-4445]

A favorite here as well....the master,undubbed master and the alternate take are all great.
I only wish the july 70 rehearsal was better aka better sound and longer..oh well.

[elvis-fan]

Probably Elvis's most contemporary, most sophisticated album ever, yet it was largely unacknowledged at the time or since by the music world at large. The arrangements on the ballads are often exquisite. Perhaps my favourite song is "Twenty Days and Twenty Nights" and the whole album is superb, though I don't like the chosen master for "Bridge" - it's too histrionic and Take 1 is much better.

Great summation. Elvis' voice is simply incredible across the board on this LP. The album has always been my favorite from the 70's... one I choose over Elvis Country in terms of content. I agree about Bridge and I would take the studio version of I've Lost You over the live track... but still the album is tremendous as is. Certainly one of his best...

[DEH]

A great album, a great album cover and the June 1970 sessions is one of the best he ever did .

[If_I_Can_Dream]

Clive Westlake also recorded and released a version of his song, "It's A Matter Of Time" in 1975.

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