Essential Elvis Volume 5: Rhythm And Country [Original recording remastered, Import]

Elvis Presley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 11, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Bmg Int'l
• ASIN: B000009NSW
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,407 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Elvis Presley recorded his studio albums live, leading his band through take after take until he was satisfied with a recording's feel. Producer Felton Jarvis kept the tape rolling throughout these sessions, never knowing when the group would nail its final take. As a result, the Rca vaults are full of Presley studio tapes. Some of these tapes have been released through the Essential series. This disc documents Elvis' two 1973 marathon sessions at Stax Studio in Memphis, during which he produced material for the albums Good Times, Promised Land, and Raised On Rock. Hear Elvis and his band without the added backing vocals, horns, strings, and percussion that often mar Presley's '70s albums. Even better, it includes snippets of Presley singing "Columbus Stockade Blues", "Muleskinner Blues", and "Softly As I Leave You" between takes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elvis- Rhythm and Country, May 25, 2002

By 

Isaac Laughhunn (Victoria TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Elvis Volume 5: Rhythm And Country (Audio CD)

...When RCA releases something by Elvis, whether it be a box set, single CD or whatever, if they release a compilation of already-released songs, people say, "C'mon, guys! Quit rehashing all the same stuff! We've heard it all before! You know you have more unreleased stuff in those vaults to release but you're just holding out on us!" But then when RCA releases something like this, which contains all previously unreleased stuff(which supposedly is what people have been asking for), more complaints arise. They say that the master versions of these songs were better and that RCA is just capitalizing on a bunch of trash that Elvis never meant to be released anyway, which is true, but, hey, you asked for it! The content of this CD, in any context, released, rehashed, or whatever, is very good. After hearing Elvis' last concert and various low sound quality jam sessions, this is a refreshing change of pace. If you compare it to the master finished recordings, it is not as good, but it is good, don't get me wrong. "Promised Land" and "If You Don't Come Back" are rockin' good songs, and some good country songs are present, "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" and "For Ol' Times Sake" are excellent. The version of "If That Isn't Love" is really an inspiring gospel song, even if it's not the final take. The goofing around and talking is limited almost exclusively to the beginning of each song, which is bearable. These songs may not be the final cuts, but they are of good sound quality, and overall, of good voice quality on Elvis' part.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rhythmic Country..., May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Essential Elvis Volume 5: Rhythm And Country (Audio CD)

...or a wonderful blend of soul and country is the way to describe this collection of alternate takes of Elvis recordings from the mid 1970's. The sound quality is usually better than that of the original versions. Some of the versions are much better produced as well as arranged, for instance I Got A Feeling In My Body which totally beats the original version from the Good Times album. I've Got A Thing About You Baby, which is the best song on this album, is here sung charmingly backbeat throughout the first verse. A little bit of soul and a little bit of country presented by Elvis in a rather informal manner + great pictures and recording details cannot result in anything else than five stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars With more focus this could have been a classic, July 22, 2001

By 

Dino (Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Elvis Volume 5: Rhythm And Country (Audio CD)

By 1973, when Elvis recorded the sessions which make up this release, the fire of the 1969 Memphis sessions had long been extinguished. After achieving a commercial and physical peak in January 73 for the Aloha From Hawaii special, a gradual decline began. What shouldn't be dismissed is that among less-inspired moments there are some really classic Elvis performances from this period. His voice had lost the raw quality from 4 years earlier, which certainly helped capture a more relaxed feel to the versions of Spanish Eyes, Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues and Thinking About You featured in this collection of alternate takes from the 73 sessions. Even as a discarded take, Loving Arms still impresses (he effortessly hits the higher notes, something which Kenny Rogers, in his 90s cover of the song, did not even attempt). The more upbeat tracks don't convince as much - Elvis seemed far more interested in ballads. The exception is Promised Land, which Elvis gives everything, and produces one of the best rock'n'roll performances of his career. Had there been a tighter control over song selection (Three Corn Patches and If You Don't Come Back are beneath an artist of Elvis' stature), this collection could have been ranked alongside his Nashville work from the 1970-71 period.