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From Elvis In Memphis

CD

From Elvis In Memphis
Rating:
4.8 / 5
Released: 1969/06 by BMG
One of Elvis' best original albums, containing recordings from the famous American Sound Studio sessions in 1969.

ElvisNews review

Elvis Presley’s 1968 NBC special had been well received and critically acclaimed and the resulting soundtrack had sold a million copies. Elvis quickly returned to the studio and recorded one of the better albums of his career.

Elvis decided to stay close to home and record at Chip Moman’s American Studios in Memphis. Moman would share producing credits with Elvis’ personal producer, Felton Jarvis. The resulting album, From Elvis In Memphis,was a mix of country, rhythm & blues and rock ‘n’ roll songs. The album, released June 17, 1969, would be a huge pop hit and also reach number 2 on the national country charts. One of Elvis’ late career signature songs graces this album. “In The Ghetto” was a significant hit and showed, at age 34, a mature Elvis who was now far from his film career of just a year ago. Released several months before From Elvis In Memphis, this socially conscious song provided the musical foundation and interest for the album which followed.

“Wearin’ That Loved On Look” is the first track on the album and is an energy filled romp. Elvis’ voice is in fine form as he roars through this song written by Dallas Frazier especially for this album. The old Eddy Arnold country song, “I’ll Hold You In My Heart,” is given a fine blues interpretation. The Hank Snow classic, “I’m Movin’ On,” is a combination of classic country with a pop vocal. “Gentle On My Mind” and “Any Day Now” have vocal performances that are smooth like butter. The Johnny Tillotson pop tune, “It Keeps Right On A Hurtin,” is interpreted as an effective country song.

The Memphis sessions also produced a number of outstanding tracks that were left off the album and were issued as stand alone single releases. They have been added as bonus tracks to most modern day CD releases of this album. These tracks only serve to make a very good album better. The beautiful and tender ballad “Don’t Cry Daddy,” the mellow “Kentucky Rain” and the number one hit “Suspicious Minds” were all products of these recording sessions and would keep Elvis in the public eve and on the radio for almost a year. In addition two underrated Elvis performances, “Mama Liked The Roses” and “The Fair Is Moving On” were also recorded at this time.

From Elvis In Memphis proved to be a highlight in the recording career of Elvis Presley. Oddly he would never work with Chips Moman again which was a regrettable decision given the quality of their work together. This album, both the original release and the lengthened CD issues, are essential listening for any Elvis fan.

Tracklisting


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Lex wrote on July 05, 2005
Without a doubt one of the best, if not the best Elvis album(s).
Rating: 5 / 5
Tina S wrote on July 28, 2005
one of elvis best albums
Rating: 5 / 5
JerryNodak wrote on December 31, 2005
An excellent album made even better by the addition of tracks 13-18 on the upgraded version. A masterpiece.
Rating: 5 / 5
Mystery Rider wrote on July 02, 2007
Elvis at a time when his world was re-opened you really cant get mush better than this in this time period. Long Black Limo is one super song.
Rating: 5 / 5
Joe Carr wrote on July 20, 2007
To me, this is one of the great all-time albums, a classic and brilliantly done! Blue-eyed soul at it's best!
Rating: 3 / 5
MJB63 wrote on March 17, 2009
Great production from the opening "i had to leave town for a little while" to the closing"...and his mama cries".These Memphis sessions were pure HEART & SOUL!!!
Rating: 5 / 5
Sandman wrote on February 01, 2010
Unequivocally the equal of anything he ever did.
Rating: 5 / 5
MEMPHISMUSIC wrote on October 07, 2010
Probably his finest works
Rating: 5 / 5
SatninTCB wrote on October 13, 2010
Elvis' magnum opus-a true masterpiece! This album was so perfectly produced from the song selections to the compositions themselves, the sound mixing, the instrumentation even the song sequence is perfect. Clearly Elvis' artistic rebirth, this album served as some much needed C.P.R. for Elvis' career. He got his soul back in this LP-what more needs to be said?
Rating: 5 / 5
Marc JB wrote on March 07, 2011
His best studio non compilation album..classic.
Rating: 5 / 5