Elvis Presley Raised On Rock CD

In July 1973, Elvis returned to Memphis, this time to the source of Southern soul, Stax Studios. Apparently, the very idea of working with Elvis was intimidating and the Stax musicians couldn't overcome their awe, so Elvis had to leave the building. In his absence, the rhythm tracks were laid down. He then returned to add his vocals, a practice only used during the last few years of the soundtracks, when he was too bored to show up and work. From all of this, five songs were attempted and one was completed, and they're instantly forgettable. Elvis returned in December to Stax with a mix of his band and some Nashville cats, recording 18 tracks in a week. In between, he had tried a session at his Palm Springs home that didn't work, although three almost ponderously sincere ballads were completed. All in all, RCA had 30 new Elvis songs, enough quality material for two strong albums of 12 tracks each. Unfortunately, the material was issued as three cheesily packaged albums of a mere ten tracks each. Raised on Rock, Good Times, and Promised Land all have something to offer, but the lesser material dilutes the impact of the strong and the sound ranges from O.K. to atrocious, thus producing more evidence of Presley's growing mediocrity. ~ Neal Umphred

In July 1973 Elvis returned to Memphis, this time to the justly famed source of Southern soul, Stax Studios. After a couple of days, several of Stax's most famous musicians came in, including the marvelous rhythm section of Donald "Duck" Dunn, bass, and Al Jackson, drums. Apparently, the very idea of working with Elvis was intimidating and the group couldn't overcome their awe, so Elvis had to leave the building. In his absence, rhythm tracks were laid down. He then returned to add his vocals, a practice only used during the last few years of the soundtracks, when he was too bored to show up and work. From all of this five songs were attempted, one completed, and it's instantly forgettable. Elvis returned in December to Stax and with a mix of his band and some Nashville cats, recording eighteen tracks in a week. In between, he had tried a session at his Palm Springs home that didn't work, although three almost ponderously sincere ballads were completed. All in all, RCA had thirty new Elvis songs, enough quality material for two strong albums of twelve tracks each, which would have restored Presley in the sight of critics and record reviewers and, hopefully, the increasingly apathetic consumer. Unfortunately, the material was issued as three cheesily packaged albums of a mere ten tracks each. Raised on Rock, Good Times and Promised Land all have something to offer: "I've Got a Thing About You, Baby" is Raised on Rocks's standout; "Lov

1994 digitally remastered reissue of the King's 1973 album for RCA. Deleted domestically.

Digitally remastered by Dick Baxter (BMG Recording Studios).

Recorded at Stax Studios, Memphis, Tennessee on July 21-23, 1973, except tracks 2 & 4 recorded at Elvis' home, Palm Springs, Florida on September 22-24, 1973. Originally released on RCA (APL1-0388).

Personnel: Elvis Presley (vocals, guitar); Kathy Westmoreland (vocals, background vocals); Jeannie Green, J.D. Sumner (vocals); James Burton, Manuel, Reggie Young , Bobby Manuel, Charlie Hodge (guitar); Donnie Sumner, Bobby Wood (piano); Bobby Emmons (organ); Alex Jackson , Al Jackson, Jr., Ron Tutt, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Carrigan (drums); J.D. Sumner & the Stamps, Mary Holliday, The Voice (background vocals).

Recording information: Elvis' Palm Springs Home (07/21/1973-09/24/1973); Stax Recording Studio, Memphis, TN (07/21/1973-09/24/1973).

Photographer: Joseph A. Tunzi.

Unknown Contributor Role: Manuel.

Personnel: Elvis Presley (vocals), James Burton, Reggie Young, Charlie Hodge, Bobby Manuel (guitar), Bobby Wood, Don Sumner (piano), Bobby Emmons (organ), Tommy Hensley, Tommy Cogbill, Donald Dunn (bass), Jerry Carrigan, Ronnie Tutt, Al Jackson (drums), Joe Esposito (percussion), J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, Vo