Memphis Recording Sessions just released Studio Sessions '56 - The Complete Recordings, a 3CD set packed in a book, or is it a book with 3CDs?
Design
As usual with MRS the design is more than ok. To get rid of the only little minor: you have to pay attention when fitting the 2 CDs in the back. Upon opening my set one CD came out spontaneously.
The book is stunning. Tons of (mostly known) pictures, both black and white and colour, and a zillion memorabilia like letters, sleeves, sheet music and session notes, are almost hiding the text. The main colour combination of this release was strong in 1956 and still 60+ years later: pink and green. Just beautiful! ;-)
Content
The 'liner-notes' are written by Gordon Minto, so quality is assured. After an intro and general chapter about the move to RCA they are divided per session, thus chronologically. A great way to refresh your memory while enjoying what is among Elvis' best work.
The first CD carries all (but movie) masters, also chronologically. In between is an interview (Don Davis, March) and at the end the "Truth about me" (Elvis that is). Some might find that disturbing the music, but hey, it’s only 7 out of 78+ minutes.
The second CD starts with the movie masters and stereo (movie) outtakes. These are followed by outtakes, some incomplete and even unknown. As bonus the stereo masters of the movie songs are added.
CD 3 has the remaining outtakes and 3 takes of "The Truth About Me".
Conclusion
MRS did it again! A beautiful package regarding looks and content, with 228 minutes of (mainly) the best music ever!
Tracklisting
CD1 - The 1956 RCA Studio Masters:
I Got A Woman - Heartbreak Hotel - Money Honey - I'm Counting On You - I Was The One - Blue Suede Shoes - My Baby Left Me - One-Sided Love Affair - So Glad Your Mine - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry - Tutti Frutti - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy - Shake, Rattle And Roll - Don Davis Interview March 1956 - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Hound Dog - Don't Be Cruel - Anyway You Want Me - Playing For Keeps - Love Me - How Do You Think I Feel - How's The World Treating You - Paralyzed - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - Long Tall Sally - Old Shep - Too Much - Anyplace Is Paradise - Ready Teddy - First in Line - Rip It Up - The Truth About Me (Original S 45rpm Interview Flexidisk)
CD 2 - Movie Soundtrack Master Recordings:
Love Me Tender - Let Me - Poor Boy - We're Gonna Move - Love Me Tender (End Title Movie Version)
Movie Soundtrack Outtakes (Stereo):
We're Gonna Move (Take 4) - We're Gonna Move (Take 9)
Studio Outtakes & Sessions:
I Got A Woman (Unknown Take) - I Got A Woman (Incomplete Unknown Take) - Heartbreak Hotel (Incomplete Take 4) - Heartbreak Hotel (Take 5) - Heartbreak Hotel (Take 6) - Money Honey (Incomplete Take 10) - I'm Counting On You (FS Take 1a & 1b) - I'm Counting On You (Incomplete Take 2 Dry Version) - I'm Counting On You (Unknown Incomplete Take) - I'm Counting On You (Take 13) - I'm Counting On You (Incomplete Take 14) - I Was The One (Take 1 & 2) - I Was The One (Take 3) - I Was The One (Take 7) - I Was The One (Incomplete Unknown Take) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 1) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 3) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 4) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 5) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 6) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Incomplete Take 7) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Incomplete Take 8 & Take 9) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 10) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (FS Take 11 & Take 12)
Bonus Songs - Movie Soundtrack Recordings (Stereo):
Love Me Tender - Let Me - Poor Boy - We're Gonna Move
CD 3 - Studio Outtakes & Sessions (Continued):
Shake Rattle And Roll (FS Take 1, Take 2, FS Take 3) - Shake Rattle And Roll (FS Take 5, FS Take 6, Take 7) - Shake Rattle AndRoll (Take 8) - Shake Rattle AndRoll (FS Take 9, FS Take 10, FS Take 11) - Shake Rattle AndRoll (Take 12) - Shake Rattle And Roll (Take 12 Unedited Un-dubbed Master) - Shake Rattle And Roll (Take 12 Edit Un-dubbed Master) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Take 3) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Take 4) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Take 13) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Incomplete Take 14) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Take 15) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Take 16) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Take 17) - Old Shep (Take 5) - Rip It Up (FS On Take 10, 11, 12, 13, Take 14) - Rip It Up (Take 15) - Rip It Up (Take 16 - Rip It Up (Take 17 - Rip It Up (LFS Take 18
The Truth About Me (Interview Outtakes):
The Truth About Me (Take 3) - The Truth About Me (Take 2) - The Truth About Me (Take 1)
