Elvis Presley Essential Elvis, Vol. 5: Rhythm And Country CD

 Memphis Revisited
Under heavy obligations from RCA to come up with new material, two recording sessions were held at Stax Studios, Memphis in 1973. The first one, in July, proved to be a disappoinment. Elvis was in a bad mood and his physical condition was anything but stable. Moreover, some of the songs were substandard and Elvis's singing lacked any true sign of emotion or involvement. Despite this, another session was due to take place in December. After three months in and out of hospital Elvis's health had improved and the general mood of the session was much better. Most of the songs on this CD derive from that session, and it truly is a rewarding experience to listen to it - for fans as well as "beginners".

Some of the songs spanned from these sessions stand out as Elvis's best performances of the decade, including songs like "Promised Land" and "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues", arguably one of his best vocal performances ever. These recordings, when released, must have nursed a hope that the game was not really over yet.

Ironically, the alternative takes featured on this album sound better than the original master takes, with a few exceptions. "Loving Arms" and "You Asked Me To" sound decidedly better without the orchestration, and Elvis's singing sounds more relaxed than on the originals. "Promised Land", however, is not improved upon, and some songs should have stayed in the vaults ("Spanish Eyes" anyone?).

With false starts included and glimpses of Elvis goofing in the studio featured in between the songs, it almost sounds as if you are listening to a real session, and it makes the album work very well as an entity.

Although aimed at hardcore fans like me, the album is probably the best single album of 70s material around; with the possible exception of "Elvis Country". This record is highly recommended to people new to Elvis music.

Johan Brandtler, Lund, Sweden
Submitted by a reviewer (Lund, Sweden)
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