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Elvis was a walkin', talkin', singin' combination of indigenous American music and styles, but probably the first music he heard as a child was gospel--in Southern Baptist churches, on Memphis radio (where white Southern gospel quartets flourished during the '40s and '50s), and from black churches. Presley released an EP of gospel music in the '50s, around the same time he performed "Peace in the Valley" on one of his Ed Sullivan appearances. This 1960 release, however, represents his first full-length foray into gospel, and while it's a bit more produced than the EP, it still features beautiful singing. Staples such as "Joshua Fit the Battle" and "Swing Down Sweet Chariot" sound like they came directly from a Memphis service. Of course, for Presley, gospel included everything from the title track by Stuart Hambler (who ran against Eisenhower on the Prohibition ticket) to
Rodgers & Hammerstein. After all, hybridization was his magic.
--Bill Holdship
Product Description
Elvis' million selling first gospel LP from 1960, His Hand In Mine represents one of the many proud moments of Elvis' career. His voice is stunningly beautiful in this tribute to his gospel heroes: The Blackwood Brothers, The Statesmen Quartet, and The Golden Gate Quartet. Includes bonus tracks from Elvis' platinum selling gospel debut EP Peace In The Valley from 1957
--This text refers to an alternate
Audio CD
edition.