Customer Reviews

Essential Elvis Volume 5: Rhythm And Country

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

...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.

...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.

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.

There are so many good songs on this collection that have seldom been heard, at least in recent years, it's almost kind of sad. There's everything here, from great country like "Goodtime Charlie's Got the Blues" and "Loving Arms", to funky 70's pop like "Find Out What's Happening" and "If You Don't Come Back", to great gospel songs like "I've Got a Feeling In My Body". More people should hear these songs! I think if RCA had, back in 1974, just released the Stax sessions as one 14 or 15 song album, instead of trying to make 3 10-song albums out of them, it would have been one of the absolute greatest albums of Elvis' career.

This album beautifully showcases Elvis' eclectic taste in music, as evidenced in the broad cross-section of genres displayed here. This collection of alternate takes from his two Stax sessions that year is one of the best compilations of recent years. Favourite cuts include the meandering, bluesy track "If You Don't Come Back", the achingly romantic "She Wears My Ring" and country rockers such as "Promised Land", "Talk About the Good Times" and Tony Joe White's "I've Got a Thing About You Baby".

Highly recommended for all Elvis fans.

This is the fifth volume in the "Essential Elvis" series. It features alternate takes of songs recorded at the famous Stax Recording Studio in 1973. The first recording sessions were held in July. Things didn't go as well as planned for various reasons; including a lack of good songs, problems with the recording equipment and a general lack of enthusiasm from Elvis. Despite the dissapointing results, another recording session was held at Stax in December. The results were a lot better this time around, with several good songs and a more committed Elvis. Thankfully, 12 of the 18 songs on this CD are from December. That's not to say that July was a complete failure; "I've Got a Thing About You Baby" is a great song, but "Three Corn Patches" is very mediocre. On the other hand, almost all the songs from December are good. "Promised Land" was Elvis' last great "rocker". "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" is a great country song. And "I Got a Feeling in My Body" and "If That Isn't Love" are terrific gospel numbers. These alternate takes aren't as polished as the master takes, but they are still fun to listen to. You even get to hear Elvis fooling around before some of the songs, including singing bits of other songs like "Softly, As I Leave You" and "Surrender". This is an enjoyable CD for Elvis fans.

It is wonderful to find new music that I didn't know about. Most of the Elvis packages have songs that are the popular ones and the ones everyone knows. For any Elvis fan this is a Gem in a long gravel road. It is such a treat to hear new songs coming from the "King". And the small chatter that is in the background brings a smile as we remember the young man who ROCKED this nation. This CD has a little bit of everything, a nice rounded collection of music.
Rock on Elvis...Thanks for sharing your gift.

This is one of my favorite Elvis albums. I like to play this one over and over again. It's classic 70's Elvis! I recommend this one to everyone!

Volume Five of "Essential Elvis" focuses on alternate takes from the singer's 1973 Stax sessions. "Rhythm and Country" includes some classic latter-day material ("Promised Land," "Talk About the Good Times" and the gospel funk of "I Got a Feeling in My Body") plus the occasional clunker (Leiber and Stoller's "Three Corn Patches"). The emphasis remains on country music, with strong performances of "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues," "For Ol' Times Sake" and "You Asked Me To." Lively studio chatter adds a nice touch. Hopefully, RCA/BMG will release a definitive collection of Presley's Stax recordings.

Here's a quick review of this fine CD. The '73 Stax sessions were not regarded as Elvis' better works, especially the ones in July. But the sessions in December were much better, mainly due to better song quality and Elvis' improved attitude. All of these songs have been released before, but these are alternate takes, with plenty of studio dialogue thrown in. Most takes are slightly inferior to the released versions, but a few are even better. The between takes dialogue often gives us a glimpse into Elvis' frame of mind at that moment. In July he didn't give a damn, but by December he was back in good form as a seasoned session leader. A few of these songs are worthy of more attention than they received. Although the die-hards are the ones most likely to appreciate this CD, this is a great way to introduce casual fans to some of his lesser known works. Besides, this is the only CD I know of where we can hear Elvis trying to sing opera! To the many obsessed Presley fans out there, that alone is worth the price of admission!