Careless Love - the song

[kkn]

According to Wikipedia Elvis has sung this traditional song... I have never heard it or even head about it. In Luther Kents version a few lines are similar to some from Amazing Grace..."I once was blind but now I see".... Well, am I missing something or is the only reference to Elvis the biograpphy Careless Love?

[drjohncarpenter]

According to Wikipedia Elvis has sung this traditional song... I have never heard it or even head about it. In Luther Kents version a few lines are similar to some from Amazing Grace..."I once was blind but now I see".... Well, am I missing something or is the only reference to Elvis the biograpphy Careless Love?

Elvis is cited on the Netherlands version of the Wikipedia page, but not the U.S. version:

https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Careless_Love
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Careless_Love


The song has a long history, recorded by hundreds through the years. It's curious that biographer Peter Guralnick used the song title for his second volume on Presley.

Some claim Elvis might have tried a version during his time at Sun Studios in 1954-1955. Among the many versions he might have heard, I'll bet he knew this wonderful version by the Ravens, featuring the incredible bass voice of Jimmy "Ricky" Ricks. It was on the radio when he was a high school freshman at Humes.


..

The Ravens' sing "Careless Love" (National 9085, July 30, 1949)
Note that the label shows Ricks taking a songwriting credit.

[Davelee]

It's interesting to note that in an interview in ETMAHM many moons ago, before Careless Love was released, Guralnick stated that he was thinking of calling his second book Love In Vain after the classic blues maestro Robert Johnson song. Guralnick is a big blues fan. The two songs, lyrically, are about the same thing.

[drjohncarpenter]

It's interesting to note that in an interview in ETMAHM many moons ago, before Careless Love was released, Guralnick stated that he was thinking of calling his second book Love In Vain after the classic blues maestro Robert Johnson song. Guralnick is a big blues fan. The two songs, lyrically, are about the same thing.

I don't recall that comment, but I do wonder whether the title of Peter's second volume was meant to intrigue.

The odds are very good that Elvis knew the Ravens' delightful recording of "Careless Love." He loved Jimmy Ricks, and it would have gotten airplay in Memphis, it did well in many cities that promoted r&b.

[Domino]

I knew I heard this song somewhere before.

..

[drjohncarpenter]

I knew I heard this song somewhere before.

..

That's a nice version, part of an album called Dinah Sings Bessie Smith (EmArcy MG 36130, April 12, 1958).

But I doubt Elvis knew the recording.

[poormadpeter2]

Careless Love is a wonderful traditional jazz/blues number dating back to around 1900, and has often been associated with legendary (and as far as we know unrecorded) jazz musician Buddy Bolden. However, it is also has crossed over into the country genre as well - and it's interesting that Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan tried it out at their famous sessions from 1969, even if the end result is rather a mess.

One of the best recordings without a doubt is the 1954 version by Louis Armstrong in his tribute album to W C Handy. The title is changed to Loveless Love, and features Velma Middleton on vocals.

..

The Dinah Washington version, mentioned earlier, was also recorded for a tribute album, this time to Bessie Smith. Armstrong and Smith had collaborated on a version of the song back in 1925:

..

Those two recordings from the 1950s (Washington and Armstrong) were part of the first real revival of the song, and during the next few years is recycled and recorded on numerous occasions - sometimes by New Orleans jazz veterans lured back into the studio to record for posterity their music in hi-fi quality (Dixieland and New Orleans jazz was itself having a revival at the time), and sometimes by more pop oriented performers such as Shirley Bassey (it was on her first album), Connie Francis, Fats Domino, Eartha Kitt, Nat King Cole, and a particularly memorable version by Frankie Laine:

..

The song has had quite a revival in recent years as well. Harry Connick Jr recorded it around a decade ago as part of his tribute to his home city, New Orleans, on the album Oh My Nola. High Laurie also recorded it on his blues album. But it doesn't get much better than the version recorded at the Lincoln Centre featuring Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis, which is both stunning musically and completely joyous (as is the whole album).

..

There seems to have been a vogue around seven or eight years ago of reviving old blues, gospel and folk songs and mixing them with New Orleans sounds. The Clapton/Marsalis album is one example, but Marsalis also collaborated with Willie Nelson on a similar venture, Hugh Laurie recorded his successful blues albums, and of course Bruce Springsteen recorded the uplifting Seeger sessions albums.

Few songs still being regularly recorded and performed today evoke the earliest days of jazz in the way that Careless Love/Loveless Love does. Associated with some of the biggest names in jazz through the years, and recorded by many country and pop singers as well. It seems unfathomable that Elvis wouldn't have known the song or heard it regularly in his youth, but which versions he would have been familiar with is something we can only guess at, but it was no doubt a song heard regularly around Memphis at the time.

As an aside, and returning to the Marsalis/Clapton performance, check out their version (with Taj Mahal) of Just a Closer Walk With Thee, a song it is such a shame that Elvis didn't record as it would have suited him perfectly. Twelve minutes of just great, great music.

..

[drjohncarpenter]

Careless Love is a wonderful traditional jazz/blues number dating back to around 1900, and has often been associated with legendary (and as far as we know unrecorded) jazz musician Buddy Bolden. However, it is also has crossed over into the country genre as well - and it's interesting that Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan tried it out at their famous sessions from 1969, even if the end result is rather a mess.

One of the best recordings without a doubt is the 1954 version by Louis Armstrong in his tribute album to W C Handy. The title is changed to Loveless Love, and features Velma Middleton on vocals.

..

The Dinah Washington version, mentioned earlier, was also recorded for a tribute album, this time to Bessie Smith. Armstrong and Smith had collaborated on a version of the song back in 1925:

..

Those two recordings from the 1950s (Washington and Armstrong) were part of the first real revival of the song, and during the next few years is recycled and recorded on numerous occasions - sometimes by New Orleans jazz veterans lured back into the studio to record for posterity their music in hi-fi quality (Dixieland and New Orleans jazz was itself having a revival at the time), and sometimes by more pop oriented performers such as Shirley Bassey (it was on her first album), Connie Francis, Fats Domino, Eartha Kitt, Nat King Cole, and a particularly memorable version by Frankie Laine:

..

The song has had quite a revival in recent years as well. Harry Connick Jr recorded it around a decade ago as part of his tribute to his home city, New Orleans, on the album Oh My Nola. High Laurie also recorded it on his blues album. But it doesn't get much better than the version recorded at the Lincoln Centre featuring Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis, which is both stunning musically and completely joyous (as is the whole album).

..

There seems to have been a vogue around seven or eight years ago of reviving old blues, gospel and folk songs and mixing them with New Orleans sounds. The Clapton/Marsalis album is one example, but Marsalis also collaborated with Willie Nelson on a similar venture, Hugh Laurie recorded his successful blues albums, and of course Bruce Springsteen recorded the uplifting Seeger sessions albums.

Few songs still being regularly recorded and performed today evoke the earliest days of jazz in the way that Careless Love/Loveless Love does. Associated with some of the biggest names in jazz through the years, and recorded by many country and pop singers as well. It seems unfathomable that Elvis wouldn't have known the song or heard it regularly in his youth, but which versions he would have been familiar with is something we can only guess at, but it was no doubt a song heard regularly around Memphis at the time.

As an aside, and returning to the Marsalis/Clapton performance, check out their version (with Taj Mahal) of Just a Closer Walk With Thee, a song it is such a shame that Elvis didn't record as it would have suited him perfectly. Twelve minutes of just great, great music.

..

Do these recordings have anything to do with Elvis?

[Domino]

I knew I heard this song somewhere before.

..

That's a nice version, part of an album called Dinah Sings Bessie Smith (EmArcy MG 36130, April 12, 1958).

But I doubt Elvis knew the recording.

Right.Doubt Elvis was into much Dinah.Just heard that Ravens version and I thought I'd heard the song someplace before.I have the Dinah sings Bessie album and a bunch of Dinah box sets.It is interesting that PG uses that title for his book.And of all the versions ,I do also think Elvis would have been very familiar with the Ravens version.

[Keith]

Careless Love is a wonderful traditional jazz/blues number dating back to around 1900, and has often been associated with legendary (and as far as we know unrecorded) jazz musician Buddy Bolden. However, it is also has crossed over into the country genre as well - and it's interesting that Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan tried it out at their famous sessions from 1969, even if the end result is rather a mess.

One of the best recordings without a doubt is the 1954 version by Louis Armstrong in his tribute album to W C Handy. The title is changed to Loveless Love, and features Velma Middleton on vocals.

..

The Dinah Washington version, mentioned earlier, was also recorded for a tribute album, this time to Bessie Smith. Armstrong and Smith had collaborated on a version of the song back in 1925:

..

Those two recordings from the 1950s (Washington and Armstrong) were part of the first real revival of the song, and during the next few years is recycled and recorded on numerous occasions - sometimes by New Orleans jazz veterans lured back into the studio to record for posterity their music in hi-fi quality (Dixieland and New Orleans jazz was itself having a revival at the time), and sometimes by more pop oriented performers such as Shirley Bassey (it was on her first album), Connie Francis, Fats Domino, Eartha Kitt, Nat King Cole, and a particularly memorable version by Frankie Laine:

..

The song has had quite a revival in recent years as well. Harry Connick Jr recorded it around a decade ago as part of his tribute to his home city, New Orleans, on the album Oh My Nola. High Laurie also recorded it on his blues album. But it doesn't get much better than the version recorded at the Lincoln Centre featuring Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis, which is both stunning musically and completely joyous (as is the whole album).

..

There seems to have been a vogue around seven or eight years ago of reviving old blues, gospel and folk songs and mixing them with New Orleans sounds. The Clapton/Marsalis album is one example, but Marsalis also collaborated with Willie Nelson on a similar venture, Hugh Laurie recorded his successful blues albums, and of course Bruce Springsteen recorded the uplifting Seeger sessions albums.

Few songs still being regularly recorded and performed today evoke the earliest days of jazz in the way that Careless Love/Loveless Love does. Associated with some of the biggest names in jazz through the years, and recorded by many country and pop singers as well. It seems unfathomable that Elvis wouldn't have known the song or heard it regularly in his youth, but which versions he would have been familiar with is something we can only guess at, but it was no doubt a song heard regularly around Memphis at the time.

As an aside, and returning to the Marsalis/Clapton performance, check out their version (with Taj Mahal) of Just a Closer Walk With Thee, a song it is such a shame that Elvis didn't record as it would have suited him perfectly. Twelve minutes of just great, great music.

..

Do these recordings have anything to do with Elvis?

Does this thread have anything to do with Elvis?

Keith

[TCBell]

I remember hearing a version many years ago by Tracey Nelson. Very bluesy. Also seem to think Scotty Moore played on it (and may have produced it, although I can't be sure of this).

[Davelee]

Careless Love is a wonderful traditional jazz/blues number dating back to around 1900, and has often been associated with legendary (and as far as we know unrecorded) jazz musician Buddy Bolden. However, it is also has crossed over into the country genre as well - and it's interesting that Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan tried it out at their famous sessions from 1969, even if the end result is rather a mess.

One of the best recordings without a doubt is the 1954 version by Louis Armstrong in his tribute album to W C Handy. The title is changed to Loveless Love, and features Velma Middleton on vocals.

..

The Dinah Washington version, mentioned earlier, was also recorded for a tribute album, this time to Bessie Smith. Armstrong and Smith had collaborated on a version of the song back in 1925:

..

Those two recordings from the 1950s (Washington and Armstrong) were part of the first real revival of the song, and during the next few years is recycled and recorded on numerous occasions - sometimes by New Orleans jazz veterans lured back into the studio to record for posterity their music in hi-fi quality (Dixieland and New Orleans jazz was itself having a revival at the time), and sometimes by more pop oriented performers such as Shirley Bassey (it was on her first album), Connie Francis, Fats Domino, Eartha Kitt, Nat King Cole, and a particularly memorable version by Frankie Laine:

..

The song has had quite a revival in recent years as well. Harry Connick Jr recorded it around a decade ago as part of his tribute to his home city, New Orleans, on the album Oh My Nola. High Laurie also recorded it on his blues album. But it doesn't get much better than the version recorded at the Lincoln Centre featuring Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis, which is both stunning musically and completely joyous (as is the whole album).

..

There seems to have been a vogue around seven or eight years ago of reviving old blues, gospel and folk songs and mixing them with New Orleans sounds. The Clapton/Marsalis album is one example, but Marsalis also collaborated with Willie Nelson on a similar venture, Hugh Laurie recorded his successful blues albums, and of course Bruce Springsteen recorded the uplifting Seeger sessions albums.

Few songs still being regularly recorded and performed today evoke the earliest days of jazz in the way that Careless Love/Loveless Love does. Associated with some of the biggest names in jazz through the years, and recorded by many country and pop singers as well. It seems unfathomable that Elvis wouldn't have known the song or heard it regularly in his youth, but which versions he would have been familiar with is something we can only guess at, but it was no doubt a song heard regularly around Memphis at the time.

As an aside, and returning to the Marsalis/Clapton performance, check out their version (with Taj Mahal) of Just a Closer Walk With Thee, a song it is such a shame that Elvis didn't record as it would have suited him perfectly. Twelve minutes of just great, great music.

..

Do these recordings have anything to do with Elvis?

Does this thread have anything to do with Elvis?

Keith

Yes, it does.

[drjohncarpenter]

Does this thread have anything to do with Elvis?

Only for those who bothered to read the question asked in the OP. See my detailed reply for a thoughtful example.

[poormadpeter2]

Careless Love is a wonderful traditional jazz/blues number dating back to around 1900, and has often been associated with legendary (and as far as we know unrecorded) jazz musician Buddy Bolden. However, it is also has crossed over into the country genre as well - and it's interesting that Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan tried it out at their famous sessions from 1969, even if the end result is rather a mess.

One of the best recordings without a doubt is the 1954 version by Louis Armstrong in his tribute album to W C Handy. The title is changed to Loveless Love, and features Velma Middleton on vocals.

..

The Dinah Washington version, mentioned earlier, was also recorded for a tribute album, this time to Bessie Smith. Armstrong and Smith had collaborated on a version of the song back in 1925:

..

Those two recordings from the 1950s (Washington and Armstrong) were part of the first real revival of the song, and during the next few years is recycled and recorded on numerous occasions - sometimes by New Orleans jazz veterans lured back into the studio to record for posterity their music in hi-fi quality (Dixieland and New Orleans jazz was itself having a revival at the time), and sometimes by more pop oriented performers such as Shirley Bassey (it was on her first album), Connie Francis, Fats Domino, Eartha Kitt, Nat King Cole, and a particularly memorable version by Frankie Laine:

..

The song has had quite a revival in recent years as well. Harry Connick Jr recorded it around a decade ago as part of his tribute to his home city, New Orleans, on the album Oh My Nola. High Laurie also recorded it on his blues album. But it doesn't get much better than the version recorded at the Lincoln Centre featuring Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis, which is both stunning musically and completely joyous (as is the whole album).

..

There seems to have been a vogue around seven or eight years ago of reviving old blues, gospel and folk songs and mixing them with New Orleans sounds. The Clapton/Marsalis album is one example, but Marsalis also collaborated with Willie Nelson on a similar venture, Hugh Laurie recorded his successful blues albums, and of course Bruce Springsteen recorded the uplifting Seeger sessions albums.

Few songs still being regularly recorded and performed today evoke the earliest days of jazz in the way that Careless Love/Loveless Love does. Associated with some of the biggest names in jazz through the years, and recorded by many country and pop singers as well. It seems unfathomable that Elvis wouldn't have known the song or heard it regularly in his youth, but which versions he would have been familiar with is something we can only guess at, but it was no doubt a song heard regularly around Memphis at the time.

As an aside, and returning to the Marsalis/Clapton performance, check out their version (with Taj Mahal) of Just a Closer Walk With Thee, a song it is such a shame that Elvis didn't record as it would have suited him perfectly. Twelve minutes of just great, great music.

..

Do these recordings have anything to do with Elvis?

Does this thread have anything to do with Elvis?

Keith

No, nothing at all. But it's OK to highlight the Ravens version because the Doc is psychic and "bet he knew" THAT version. But a general history of the song, outlining important performances, is not suitable for the Doc. He's in contrary/hypocrite mode this week, you see?

[drjohncarpenter]

Here's the OP, for those who cannot scroll up:

According to Wikipedia Elvis has sung this traditional song... I have never heard it or even head about it. In Luther Kents version a few lines are similar to some from Amazing Grace..."I once was blind but now I see".... Well, am I missing something or is the only reference to Elvis the biography Careless Love?

[poormadpeter2]

Here's the OP, for those who cannot scroll up:

According to Wikipedia Elvis has sung this traditional song... I have never heard it or even head about it. In Luther Kents version a few lines are similar to some from Amazing Grace..."I once was blind but now I see".... Well, am I missing something or is the only reference to Elvis the biography Careless Love?

Exactly. And your post, as mine, if answering that question and nothing else, should read simply:

"No."

Thankfully, the boards can offer up more info than that.

[Mister Moon]

Careless Love is a wonderful traditional jazz/blues number dating back to around 1900, and has often been associated with legendary (and as far as we know unrecorded) jazz musician Buddy Bolden. However, it is also has crossed over into the country genre as well - and it's interesting that Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan tried it out at their famous sessions from 1969, even if the end result is rather a mess.

I will go off-topic for a while, but I also like the Dylan / Cash sessions.

And there's a moment that stuck in my mind from those sessions, when Cash starts laughing out loud after Dylan has attempted to yodel, during the performance of a Jimmie Rodgers song. Cash even asks Dylan to yodel again, after which he laughs even louder than before.

It's a fact that Jimmie Rodgers used the yodel for each and every one of his, more or less, 115 songs, except for one : "My Blue Eyed Jane".

Fast forward a few decades, and Dylan is invited to record a Jimmie Rodgers song for a tribute CD to the legendary singer. Guess which song did he choose ?

https://www.discogs.com/es/Various-The-Songs-Of-Jimmie-Rodgers-A-Tribute/release/2916437

[drjohncarpenter]

I remember hearing a version many years ago by Tracey Nelson. Very bluesy. Also seem to think Scotty Moore played on it (and may have produced it, although I can't be sure of this).

Interesting side note. But of course the OP was about the Wikipedia entry he saw, and whether there was any possibility Elvis cut this song. And I was happy to reply on topic and give darned good answers to those questions. Because that's what it's all about here. Or should be.

[TCBell]

I remember hearing a version many years ago by Tracey Nelson. Very bluesy. Also seem to think Scotty Moore played on it (and may have produced it, although I can't be sure of this).

Interesting side note. But of course the OP was about the Wikipedia entry he saw, and whether there was any possibility Elvis cut this song. And I was happy to reply on topic and give darned good answers to those questions. Because that's what it's all about here. Or should be.

"Darned good answers"? Your opinion only. I was merely adding to the conversation. Why are you such a bully?

[drjohncarpenter]

I remember hearing a version many years ago by Tracey Nelson. Very bluesy. Also seem to think Scotty Moore played on it (and may have produced it, although I can't be sure of this).

Interesting side note. But of course the OP was about the Wikipedia entry he saw, and whether there was any possibility Elvis cut this song. And I was happy to reply on topic and give darned good answers to those questions. Because that's what it's all about here. Or should be.

"Darned good answers"? Your opinion only. I was merely adding to the conversation. Why are you such a bully?

Not quite sure what you're going on about here. And why be rude for no reason? Your side note was interesting and I said so. The rest of my comment was in reference to others on this topic who seem to have completely missed what was asked in the OP. I didn't, checked out two versions of the Wikipedia page, and addressed the reasons why one of them might have surmised that Elvis recorded "Careless Love." And it is very interesting that Guralnick chose it as the title of his second volume on Presley's life and career.

[FRENCHGUY]

Ha, one more battle of egos...
Personally, all I can say is I never heard about Elvis singing this great old WC Handy blues. I wish he had.
Every time I hear Ray Charles moaning his version, I am so thrilled (since 1962, that makes many thrills, lol). And I adore seing and listening to Eartha Kitt and Nat King Cole singing duet with her and playing the piano in the movie St Louis Blues based on the life of WC Handy. Btw, in that movie you can also see the great Teddy Buckner playing trumpet with Kitt whan she sings Chantez le bas(he is the one who plays with Elvis in the King Creole soundtrack). And the marvellous Mahalia Jackson sings her song too...