The Majestic "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

Juan Luis · Post by **Juan Luis** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 10:31 pm

..
I was surprised to hear Elvis singing the song with high note ending. Loved it! Later learned it was the edit of both takes one and two. Great job. A highlight of Joan Deary's produced "Memories of Christmas", posthumous album released in 1982. I also find the mix as if had further choir overdubs, orchestra. Probably not, but seems to me as if instruments, voices, were brought up that were previously buried. My perception. I love it!

New edit 12-14-2016. Recorded May 17, 1971 in Nashville Sudio B, with Al Pachucki behind the console, and Felton Jarvis producing. Standout musicians are David Briggs on piano, and Larry Londin overdubbed percussion, And last but certainly not least... Glen Spreen on organ, and also leading his string and brass arrangement. Recorded on June 22, 1971 with Mickey Crofford as engineer at RCA Studios, Hollywood. Further overdubs back in Nashville on July 26, 1971... by Glen Spreen (organ), Eddie Hinton (guitar), Farrell Morris (percussion, bells).

Post by **sjkj** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 10:41 pm

love this song

Post by **Dan_T** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 10:42 pm

Love it too, and this version especially !

Post by **sjkj** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 10:53 pm

This song off the album Memories of Christmas, has a time of 2:49. Is your long version on any albums? Because the version I have is take 2 and the version you said you have is of takes 1 and 2. Your ears are not deceiving you I hear the same thing; the voices and the instruments have been brought up higher in the mix.

Post by **stevelecher** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 10:57 pm

It is a dirge and a recording I skip every time. Ugh!

Post by **Mike Windgren** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 10:57 pm

Hi there!!

.

Juan Luis wrote:..
Was surprised to hear Elvis singing the song with high note ending. Loved it! Later learned it was the edit of both takes one and two. Great job. A highlight of Joan Deary's produced "Memories of Christmas", posthumous album released in 1982. I also find the mix as if had further choir overdubs, orchestra. Probably not, but seems to me as if instruments, voices were brought up that were previously buried. My perception. I love it!

I find Memories Of Christmas a very nice cd compilation

. First I had it on vinyl but sold it. Later on I found a Japanese cd version and I still enjoy it a lot. Thanks for the YouTube clip!. Bye for now

.

Elvis-Memories Of Christmas cd. RCA/BMG B19D-41087. Japan. 1989.

Source: http://www.elvisoncd.com/frame.htm?http://www.elvisoncd.com/eigenecd/CD/m/memoriesofchristmas-jp89.html

Juan Luis · Post by **Juan Luis** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 10:57 pm

sjkj wrote:This song off the album Memories of Christmas, has a time of 2:49. Is your long version on any albums? Because the version I have is take 2 and the version you said you have is of takes 1 and 2. Your ears are not deceiving you I hear the same thing; the voices and the instruments have been brought up higher in the mix.

It's longer on my CD. Thanks!

Juan Luis · Post by **Juan Luis** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:01 pm

stevelecher wrote:It is a dirge and a recording I skip every time. Ugh!

It's humbling to me. I heard that in a Cathedral once, and felt like Scrooge at the end of the movie happy to be alive!

Post by **Johnny2523** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:04 pm

Always loved it, and always play it during the christmas season (and sometimes throughout the year)

Post by **VEGAS74** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:05 pm

Great!...like it a lot

Post by **elvisjock** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:19 pm

I've become more partial to the single version. It's among Elvis' finest work with The Imperials. Tenor Jim Murray is particularly outstanding.

Post by **Tony C** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:43 pm

I have always loved this track, a great opener to "Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas".

r&b · Post by **r&b** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:50 pm

Not bad but certainly done the best version I ever heard of this song. Love the Bobby Darin version much better,

Juan Luis · Post by **Juan Luis** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 1:33 am

Mike Windgren wrote:Hi there!! .

Juan Luis wrote:..
Was surprised to hear Elvis singing the song with high note ending. Loved it! Later learned it was the edit of both takes one and two. Great job. A highlight of Joan Deary's produced "Memories of Christmas", posthumous album released in 1982. I also find the mix as if had further choir overdubs, orchestra. Probably not, but seems to me as if instruments, voices were brought up that were previously buried. My perception. I love it!
I find Memories Of Christmas a very nice cd compilation . First I had it on vinyl but sold it. Later on I found a Japanese cd version and I still enjoy it a lot. Thanks for the YouTube clip!. Bye for now .

Elvis-Memories Of Christmas cd. RCA/BMG B19D-41087. Japan. 1989.

Source: http://www.elvisoncd.com/frame.htm?http://www.elvisoncd.com/eigenecd/CD/m/memoriesofchristmas-jp89.html

You're welcome amigo Miguel!

Post by **LSP-4445** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 1:34 am

I have always liked the 1982 MOE version.
There is a long version on the FTD classic album but the one from 1982 is the one I play even today

Post by **Steve Morse** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 1:37 am

I was taken aback with the beauty of this track when I first heard it on Memories Of Christmas (1982) and at first assumed that the original master had been an edit. I was then mystified and extremely disappointed that it wasn't included on the If Every Day Was Like Christmas composite Christmas collection (1994). It is one of my very favourite Elvis Christmas recordings.

According to Keith's book it is actually "Take 2, spliced with Take 1". The Take 1 undubbed master is on Venus's "Elvis Today" (2010) and is quite beautiful in its simplicity. Take 2 (original) was first released on the FTD of WWoC (2011).

Post by **Christopher Brown** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 2:02 am

Hi Steve: Do you like ANYTHING from the '70s from Elvis. This song (though titled wrong in OP) is surely one of the highlights of the album -- and I agree with Rocky Barra's review from decades ago. The First Noel ... now that's another thing. Surprisingly, the new the backings on the Duet album made the performance much more bearable. Still, one of his poorest recordings.

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 2:20 am

It is clear why the high note ending was not selected for the proper finished master, Elvis is quite sloppy in the execution of it.

Never cared for this one. When one considers the lyrics and what they are all about, plus Elvis' faith, he couldn't sound less interested.

Post by **Mike Windgren** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 2:26 am

Hi there!!

.

Juan Luis wrote:
Mike Windgren wrote:
Juan Luis wrote:..

I find Memories Of Christmas a very nice cd compilation . First I had it on vinyl but sold it. Later on I found a Japanese cd version and I still enjoy it a lot. Thanks for the YouTube clip!. Bye for now .

Elvis-Memories Of Christmas cd. RCA/BMG B19D-41087. Japan. 1989.

Source: http://www.elvisoncd.com/frame.htm?http://www.elvisoncd.com/eigenecd/CD/m/memoriesofchristmas-jp89.html
You're welcome amigo Miguel!

. Bye for now

.

JerryNodak · Post by **JerryNodak** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 2:29 am

I love Elvis' short version of this song. Not so much the long version.

Post by **sweetangeline** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 3:11 am

Greystoke wrote:Elvis wasn't in great voice during these sessions, and Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas leaves a lot to be desired, but this is possibly the most interesting recording on the album. It's also one of this album's two or three best tracks, along with Merry Christmas Baby and I'll be Home on Christmas Day.

...HOLLY LEAVES AND CHRISTMAS TREES for me my friend

Juan Luis · Post by **Juan Luis** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 5:03 am

Christopher Brown wrote:Hi Steve: Do you like ANYTHING from the '70s from Elvis. This song (though titled wrong in OP) is surely one of the highlights of the album -- and I agree with Rocky Barra's review from decades ago. The First Noel ... now that's another thing. Surprisingly, the new the backings on the Duet album made the performance much more bearable. Still, one of his poorest recordings.

Thank you for pointing out my title mistake.

Post by **drjohncarpenter** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 5:19 am

"O Come, All Ye Faithful" has a genteel delivery that indicates an artist not entirely into the material. The two takes producer Felton Jarvis managed to squeeze out of Presley matched the total he captured on the equally mundane "Silver Bells."

Also, having the song kick off the LP is not the most exciting decision, but the record as a whole does sound nice, playing in the background during a holiday gathering.

Two noteworthy aspects to this recording that no one has mentioned include the soprano obbligato, IIRC done by Millie Kirkham in an overdub session, and some overdubbed percussion by Ralph Gallant. He would later play a handful of shows with Elvis in 1976 and 1977, under his stage name Larrie Londin.

Steve Morse wrote:I was taken aback with the beauty of this track when I first heard it on Memories Of Christmas (1982) and at first assumed that the original master had been an edit. I was then mystified and extremely disappointed that it wasn't included on the If Every Day Was Like Christmas composite Christmas collection (1994). It is one of my very favourite Elvis Christmas recordings.

"O Come, All Ye Faithful" is track 18 on the October 1994 compilation If Every Day Was Like Christmas.

http://www.amazon.com/Every-Day-Was-Like-Christmas/dp/B000002WR7
http://www.elvisoncd.com/frame.htm?http://www.elvisoncd.com/eigenecd/CD/i/ifervereydaywaslikechristmas.htm

Post by **stevelecher** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 5:34 am

Christopher Brown wrote:Hi Steve: Do you like ANYTHING from the '70s from Elvis. This song (though titled wrong in OP) is surely one of the highlights of the album -- and I agree with Rocky Barra's review from decades ago. The First Noel ... now that's another thing. Surprisingly, the new the backings on the Duet album made the performance much more bearable. Still, one of his poorest recordings.

Chris, I'm surprised you think this. I like a lot from the 70's. I've come on here and said the "bellowing" complaints are overstated, I've been singing the praises of Pieces Of My Life, and I always call it as I see it. However, Elvis was wildly inconsistent in the 1970's and I've come to realize it, and be able to admit it, as I've gotten more mature.

I think O Come All Ye Faithful is dreadfully mournful sounding by Elvis and the version with the high note ending is probably even more painful, IMO. I like On A Snowy Christmas Night, If I Get Home On Christmas Day, It Won't Seem Like Christmas Without You, Merry Christmas Baby, and Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees.

There's a lot I like here but there are a number of threads where marginal and worse songs and performances have been put up and treated like something special when the truth is they are unworthy of Elvis and he treated them as such.

Post by **goldbelt** » Mon Dec 21, 2015 6:18 am

drjohncarpenter wrote:
Steve Morse wrote:I was taken aback with the beauty of this track when I first heard it on Memories Of Christmas (1982) and at first assumed that the original master had been an edit. I was then mystified and extremely disappointed that it wasn't included on the If Every Day Was Like Christmas composite Christmas collection (1994). It is one of my very favourite Elvis Christmas recordings.
"O Come, All Ye Faithful" is track 18 on the October 1994 compilation If Every Day Was Like Christmas.

Track 18 is not the extended edit version that Steve is referring to.

Thanks Juan for the information in your opening post and video of the extended edit, not heard that version before, sounds great. I do like the original master too.

For Elvis CD Collectors

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