Mojo Magazine - Elvis: The Last Mystery / Without You!

[George Smith]

That, my friend, would have been the icing on the cake ...

[drjohncarpenter]

That, my friend, would have been the icing on the cake ...

I still want to hear the complete acetate, not only "Without You" but also "No Gas."

[George Smith]

That, my friend, would have been the icing on the cake ...

I still want to hear the complete acetate, not only "Without You" but also "No Gas."

Oh, yes please!

[Rtn 2 Sndr]

Just now reading this. Absolutely fascinating!

[drjohncarpenter]

Just now reading this. Absolutely fascinating!

As far as Elvis history, this is certainly one of the most important stories of the year. It's great MOJO was able to publish it.

Someday soon, perhaps, the hard core fans will enjoy hearing all of "Without You" and "No Gas."

Sam Phillips did, just 63 years ago.

[GuyLambert]

New interesting development: A few weeks ago, I was able to hear the complete recording of Without You for the first time.

I had another "what the heck" moment upon listening. What first surprised me was the song has a Latin style vibe to it, in composition and guitar playing. That was a bit of a shock. I was of the thought that it was just a plaintive ballad with minimal guitar accompaniment. I knew the guitarist was a professional, from the beautiful flamenco style runs being played. Then it hit me. This guitar playing reminds me of Harold Bradley, whose playing style I know from many Elvis sessions.

I knew Grady Martin and Hank Garland were also contenders, but it was Harold I thought of. I ran it by Michael Gray at the Country Hall of Fame and he agreed with me, his money was on Harold.

Then I find out that Harold is still alive. I was able to speak with him on the phone. He said "I loved Jimmy Sweeney" and remembers playing guitar on the Varieteers sessions. I sent him Without You and received the following response: "Hi Chris, I've listened to the song several times, and feel sure it is me. It's not Grady, and doesn't sound like Hank. I don't know of any other guitar players that had that technique in that time period/ It sounds like me trying to play everything I knew on the record."

Per Guralnick and Greil accounts of hearing Without You, I've been under the impression that this was a rough, unprofessional demo. Not true, its Jimmy Sweeney, a seasoned recording artist accompanied by one of Nashville's music architects, Harold Bradley! The plot thickens.

[George Smith]

New interesting development: A few weeks ago, I was able to hear the complete recording of Without You for the first time.

I had another "what the heck" moment upon listening. What first surprised me was the song has a Latin style vibe to it, in composition and guitar playing. That was a bit of a shock. I was of the thought that it was just a plaintive ballad with minimal guitar accompaniment. I knew the guitarist was a professional, from the beautiful flamenco style runs being played. Then it hit me. This guitar playing reminds me of Harold Bradley, whose playing style I know from many Elvis sessions.

I knew Grady Martin and Hank Garland were also contenders, but it was Harold I thought of. I ran it by Michael Gray at the Country Hall of Fame and he agreed with me, his money was on Harold.

Then I find out that Harold is still alive. I was able to speak with him on the phone. He said "I loved Jimmy Sweeney" and remembers playing guitar of the Varieteers sessions. I sent him Without You and received the following response: "Hi Chris, I've listened to the song several times, and feel sure it is me. It's not Grady, and doesn't sound like Hank. I don't know of any other guitar players that had that technique in that time period/ It sounds like me trying to play everything I knew on the record."

Per Guralnick and Greil accounts of hearing Without You, I've been under the impression that this was a rough, unprofessional demo. Not true, its Jimmy Sweeney, a seasoned recording artist accompanied by one of Nashville's music architects, Harold Bradley! The plot thickens.

This just gets better -- awesome addition to the story, thank you!

[drjohncarpenter]

New interesting development: A few weeks ago, I was able to hear the complete recording of Without You for the first time.

I had another "what the heck" moment upon listening. What first surprised me was the song has a Latin style vibe to it, in composition and guitar playing. That was a bit of a shock. I was of the thought that it was just a plaintive ballad with minimal guitar accompaniment. I knew the guitarist was a professional, from the beautiful flamenco style runs being played. Then it hit me. This guitar playing reminds me of Harold Bradley, whose playing style I know from many Elvis sessions.

I knew Grady Martin and Hank Garland were also contenders, but it was Harold I thought of. I ran it by Michael Gray at the Country Hall of Fame and he agreed with me, his money was on Harold.

Then I find out that Harold is still alive. I was able to speak with him on the phone. He said "I loved Jimmy Sweeney" and remembers playing guitar of the Varieteers sessions. I sent him Without You and received the following response: "Hi Chris, I've listened to the song several times, and feel sure it is me. It's not Grady, and doesn't sound like Hank. I don't know of any other guitar players that had that technique in that time period/ It sounds like me trying to play everything I knew on the record."

Per Guralnick and Greil accounts of hearing Without You, I've been under the impression that this was a rough, unprofessional demo. Not true, its Jimmy Sweeney, a seasoned recording artist accompanied by one of Nashville's music architects, Harold Bradley! The plot thickens.

This just gets better -- awesome addition to the story, thank you!

This is just fantastic reading. I hope to be able to hear both sides of that 1953 acetate someday.

GuyLambert, make it so!

[drjohncarpenter]

I just revisited this topic, and it's so wonderful it deserves a bump.

*Bump*

[GuyLambert]

I just revisited this topic, and it's so wonderful it deserves a bump.

*Bump*

Hi Doc, thank you for the bump and no kidding, coincidentally I was going to post an update today!

I'm very pleased to announce that I'll be producing a Jimmy Sweeney compilation with ORG Music. http://www.longlivevinyl.net/label-stories-big-reissue-org-music/

ORG's Andrew Rossiter has done some beautiful work on reissues and is very passionate about the project. Hopefully we'll produce something that will do Jimmy Sweeney right. Not sure exactly what tracks the compilation will include at this beginning stage, but of course Without You will be on there.

We've discussed the possibility of doing a future Record Store Day release of the Without You acetate, a la My Happiness / Third Man Records. That way we can include "Out of Gas" on the flip, a non- Sweeney song. Fun stuff.

Right now we're in the process of tracking down what master tapes survive and what tracks will have to be transferred from vinyl.

I'll keep this thread updated when I can and thank you everybody for the interest and encouragement.

[skabillyrebels]

that's fantastic news thank you for the update

[George Smith]

I'm very pleased to announce that I'll be producing a Jimmy Sweeney compilation with ORG Music. http://www.longlivevinyl.net/label-stories-big-reissue-org-music/

ORG's Andrew Rossiter has done some beautiful work on reissues and is very passionate about the project. Hopefully we'll produce something that will do Jimmy Sweeney right. Not sure exactly what tracks the compilation will include at this beginning stage, but of course Without You will be on there.

We've discussed the possibility of doing a future Record Store Day release of the Without You acetate, a la My Happiness / Third Man Records. That way we can include "Out of Gas" on the flip, a non- Sweeney song. Fun stuff.

Right now we're in the process of tracking down what master tapes survive and what tracks will have to be transferred from vinyl.

I'll keep this thread updated when I can and thank you everybody for the interest and encouragement.

You've just made my day.

[AndrewJ]

Wow - great news. Fantastic detective work Guy!

I'm going to have to print out this thread and re-read it from the beginning. I love a good mystery - and when it starts to be solved.

Jimmy Sweeny - the unsung hero. And wow, you just phoned up Harold Bradley and got to talk to him. Impressed!

[drjohncarpenter]

I just revisited this topic, and it's so wonderful it deserves a bump.

*Bump*

Hi Doc, thank you for the bump and no kidding, coincidentally I was going to post an update today!

I'm very pleased to announce that I'll be producing a Jimmy Sweeney compilation with ORG Music. http://www.longlivevinyl.net/label-stories-big-reissue-org-music/

ORG's Andrew Rossiter has done some beautiful work on reissues and is very passionate about the project. Hopefully we'll produce something that will do Jimmy Sweeney right. Not sure exactly what tracks the compilation will include at this beginning stage, but of course Without You will be on there.

We've discussed the possibility of doing a future Record Store Day release of the Without You acetate, a la My Happiness / Third Man Records. That way we can include "Out of Gas" on the flip, a non- Sweeney song. Fun stuff.

Right now we're in the process of tracking down what master tapes survive and what tracks will have to be transferred from vinyl.

I'll keep this thread updated when I can and thank you everybody for the interest and encouragement.

I guess I should add "Mind Reader" to my resume!

GREAT news. I cannot wait to hear the entire compilation, but the 1953 acetate is something I've been wanting to hear for years.

Thank you for the update.

[GuyLambert]

Quick update, for those interested. Track listing is complete, flows nicely.

Now comes the process of securing the rights to those recordings. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Next, I'm looking forward to overseeing vinyl transfers and sourcing from the master tapes. Looking forward to a trip to Memphis to meet John Bakke and transfer the Without You acetate.

As it stands right now, the release will be a single LP. Quite a few newly discovered unreleased tracks will be included. I'm hopeful for the possibility of an extended digital release and Without You / Out of Gas 10 inch Record Store Day release.

Working with the Sweeney family on gathering photographs and other artifacts.

[George Smith]

Quick update, for those interested. Track listing is complete, flows nicely.

Now comes the process of securing the rights to those recordings. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Next, I'm looking forward to overseeing vinyl transfers and sourcing from the master tapes. Looking forward to a trip to Memphis to meet John Bakke and transfer the Without You acetate.

As it stands right now, the release will be a single LP. Quite a few newly discovered unreleased tracks will be included. I'm hopeful for the possibility of an extended digital release and Without You / Out of Gas 10 inch Record Store Day release.

Working with the Sweeney family on gathering photographs and other artifacts.

Marvellous, marvellous, marvellous !

[elvis4life]

Quick update, for those interested. Track listing is complete, flows nicely.

Now comes the process of securing the rights to those recordings. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Next, I'm looking forward to overseeing vinyl transfers and sourcing from the master tapes. Looking forward to a trip to Memphis to meet John Bakke and transfer the Without You acetate.

As it stands right now, the release will be a single LP. Quite a few newly discovered unreleased tracks will be included. I'm hopeful for the possibility of an extended digital release and Without You / Out of Gas 10 inch Record Store Day release.

Working with the Sweeney family on gathering photographs and other artifacts.

Besides vinyl, will this also be released as a CD or will it be strictly vinyl? Thanks in advance.

[drjohncarpenter]

Quick update, for those interested. Track listing is complete, flows nicely.

Now comes the process of securing the rights to those recordings. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Next, I'm looking forward to overseeing vinyl transfers and sourcing from the master tapes. Looking forward to a trip to Memphis to meet John Bakke and transfer the Without You acetate.

As it stands right now, the release will be a single LP. Quite a few newly discovered unreleased tracks will be included. I'm hopeful for the possibility of an extended digital release and Without You / Out of Gas 10 inch Record Store Day release.

Working with the Sweeney family on gathering photographs and other artifacts.

This sounds really fantastic! A single LP means maybe 14-16 tracks. What may fans expect to hear, material from the "Without You" era, circa 1954, or as far forward as the Jimmy Bell singles from 1960-1962?

I know of three singles released in 1954-1955:

Jimmy Sweeney And The Varieteers
"Deep Blues" b/w "I've Got A Woman's Love" (Hickory 1004, February 27, 1954)

Varieteers
"I Pay With Every Breath" b/w "If You And I Could Be Sweethearts" (Hickory 1014, August 21, 1954)

Varieteers
"Call My Gal, Miss Jones" b/w "Minnie Come Home" (Hickory 1025, May 21, 1955)

---

You might appreciate the irony of this Sweeney recording on Columbia, from 1958:





Jim Sweeney "It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You)" (Columbia 41262, November 17, 1958)
B-side is "Afraid."





Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance, Jim Sweeney and Floyd Cramer, Bradley Film and Recording Studio, Nashville - May 4, 1958
Rehearsing "It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You)" in Nashville ... note the sheet music on Cramer's piano.

[GuyLambert]

Quick update, for those interested. Track listing is complete, flows nicely.

Now comes the process of securing the rights to those recordings. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Next, I'm looking forward to overseeing vinyl transfers and sourcing from the master tapes. Looking forward to a trip to Memphis to meet John Bakke and transfer the Without You acetate.

As it stands right now, the release will be a single LP. Quite a few newly discovered unreleased tracks will be included. I'm hopeful for the possibility of an extended digital release and Without You / Out of Gas 10 inch Record Store Day release.

Working with the Sweeney family on gathering photographs and other artifacts.

Besides vinyl, will this also be released as a CD or will it be strictly vinyl? Thanks in advance.

Hi...I don't believe there will be a physical CD release due to their decline in popularity in the marketplace. Vinyl will be the main format and the plan is to try for an extended digital / streaming release as well. It all depends on where the costs are at the end of the licensing process.

[GuyLambert]

Quick update, for those interested. Track listing is complete, flows nicely.

Now comes the process of securing the rights to those recordings. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Next, I'm looking forward to overseeing vinyl transfers and sourcing from the master tapes. Looking forward to a trip to Memphis to meet John Bakke and transfer the Without You acetate.

As it stands right now, the release will be a single LP. Quite a few newly discovered unreleased tracks will be included. I'm hopeful for the possibility of an extended digital release and Without You / Out of Gas 10 inch Record Store Day release.

Working with the Sweeney family on gathering photographs and other artifacts.

This sounds really fantastic! A single LP means maybe 14-16 tracks. What may fans expect to hear, material from the "Without You" era, circa 1954, or as far forward as the Jimmy Bell singles from 1960-1962?

I know of three singles released in 1954-1955:

Jimmy Sweeney And The Varieteers
"Deep Blues" b/w "I've Got A Woman's Love" (Hickory 1004, February 27, 1954)

Varieteers
"I Pay With Every Breath" b/w "If You And I Could Be Sweethearts" (Hickory 1014, August 21, 1954)

Varieteers
"Call My Gal, Miss Jones" b/w "Minnie Come Home" (Hickory 1025, May 21, 1955)

---

You might appreciate the irony of this Sweeney recording on Columbia, from 1958:





Jim Sweeney "It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You)" (Columbia 41262, November 17, 1958)
B-side is "Afraid."





Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance, Jim Sweeney and Floyd Cramer, Bradley Film and Recording Studio, Nashville - May 4, 1958
Rehearsing "It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You)" in Nashville ... note the sheet music on Cramer's piano.

Right, Doc...as of now, 17 songs on the album, 5 unreleased. I found a beautiful unreleased version of It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You) by the Varieteers in the Sony vaults. I wanted to include it for the obvious EP reasons. Also including She Wears My Ring from the Columbia master tape and a rare version of Jimmy singing Danny Boy, released on a small label out of Ohio in 1955. Many more treats!

[GuyLambert]

Quick update, for those interested. Track listing is complete, flows nicely.

Now comes the process of securing the rights to those recordings. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Next, I'm looking forward to overseeing vinyl transfers and sourcing from the master tapes. Looking forward to a trip to Memphis to meet John Bakke and transfer the Without You acetate.

As it stands right now, the release will be a single LP. Quite a few newly discovered unreleased tracks will be included. I'm hopeful for the possibility of an extended digital release and Without You / Out of Gas 10 inch Record Store Day release.

Working with the Sweeney family on gathering photographs and other artifacts.

This sounds really fantastic! A single LP means maybe 14-16 tracks. What may fans expect to hear, material from the "Without You" era, circa 1954, or as far forward as the Jimmy Bell singles from 1960-1962?

I know of three singles released in 1954-1955:

Jimmy Sweeney And The Varieteers
"Deep Blues" b/w "I've Got A Woman's Love" (Hickory 1004, February 27, 1954)

Varieteers
"I Pay With Every Breath" b/w "If You And I Could Be Sweethearts" (Hickory 1014, August 21, 1954)

Varieteers
"Call My Gal, Miss Jones" b/w "Minnie Come Home" (Hickory 1025, May 21, 1955)

---

You might appreciate the irony of this Sweeney recording on Columbia, from 1958:





Jim Sweeney "It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You)" (Columbia 41262, November 17, 1958)
B-side is "Afraid."





Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance, Jim Sweeney and Floyd Cramer, Bradley Film and Recording Studio, Nashville - May 4, 1958
Rehearsing "It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You)" in Nashville ... note the sheet music on Cramer's piano.

Right, Doc...as of now, 17 songs on the album, 5 unreleased. I found a beautiful unreleased version of It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You) by the Varieteers in the Sony vaults. I wanted to include it for the obvious EP reasons. Also including She Wears My Ring from the Columbia master tape and a rare version of Jimmy singing Danny Boy, released on a small label out of Ohio in 1955. Many more treats!

The running order gives nice coverage to his entire career, early through 1962.

[BobDylan]

You will be posting ordering information when the time comes, yes?

[JamieAKelley]

Quick update, for those interested. Track listing is complete, flows nicely.

Now comes the process of securing the rights to those recordings. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Next, I'm looking forward to overseeing vinyl transfers and sourcing from the master tapes. Looking forward to a trip to Memphis to meet John Bakke and transfer the Without You acetate.

As it stands right now, the release will be a single LP. Quite a few newly discovered unreleased tracks will be included. I'm hopeful for the possibility of an extended digital release and Without You / Out of Gas 10 inch Record Store Day release.

Working with the Sweeney family on gathering photographs and other artifacts.

WOW! This is phenomenal!! I've been wanting to hear the rest of this thing forever (I did a very small snippet on my third album as a hidden track), and it's a crime that the record that "made" Elvis Presley hasn't been heard by the mass public. Really looking forward to the other songs, too.

I'd post the "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY" meme, but since I like information too much... please keep talking, but still take my money.

I'm sure all is well in hand, but if there's anything I or my studio or whatever can do to help this project (or future ones) along, please feel free to reach out. More than happy to do what I'm able to see all this happen. Very excited!

[GuyLambert]

You will be posting ordering information when the time comes, yes?

For sure!

[drjohncarpenter]

Right, Doc...as of now, 17 songs on the album, 5 unreleased. I found a beautiful unreleased version of It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You) by the Varieteers in the Sony vaults. I wanted to include it for the obvious EP reasons. Also including She Wears My Ring from the Columbia master tape and a rare version of Jimmy singing Danny Boy, released on a small label out of Ohio in 1955. Many more treats!

The running order gives nice coverage to his entire career, early through 1962.

I'll love to see which songs you choose.

Just for fun, here are my guesses for what *might* make the cut. Let me know how close I am to your shortlist!

JIMMY SWEENEY - WITHOUT YOU

1953-1954 demos
Desire
Believe In Me
Without You

1954 singles
Deep Blues [Jimmy Sweeney And The Varieteers]
I've Got A Woman's Love [Jimmy Sweeney And The Varieteers]
I Pay With Every Breath [Varieteers]
If You And I Could Be Sweethearts [Varieteers]
Memories Of You [Varieteers]
When Did You Leave Heaven [Varieteers]

1955 singles
Danny Boy [Jimmy Destry With The Rhythm Rockers]
You're Gonna Ride With Me [Jimmy Destry With The Rhythm Rockers]
Call My Gal, Miss Jones [Varieteers]
Minnie Come Home [Varieteers]

1955 outtake
It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You) [Varieteers]

1956 single
The Question
These Tears

1957 single
Tica Boo
Bongo Olay

1958 singles
The Midnight Hour
Till The Right One Comes Along
It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You)
Afraid

1960 single
She Wears My Ring [Jimmy Bell]
Going Down To The River [Jimmy Bell]

1962 single
Your Skies Of Blue (Will Turn Grey On You) [Jimmy Bell]
Tomorrow Is A-Comin [Jimmy Bell]