Review : Promised Land : FTD 2 CD Classic Album

Elvis takes Chuck Berry's classic 1964 musical travelogue Promised Land and amps it in a rocking tour-de-force - and it's fantastic to hear takes 3, 4, powered by Ronnie Tutt's powerhouse drumming and James Burton's driving guitar. Elvis is working towards the master, but with a meticulous ear stops the song mid-intro, it's a fascinating moment and is a great example of how in control he was ... On the lyric he sings: 'there's an uncle who cares a lot about me' which is similar to the Berry classic, 'Memphis Tennessee' (also recorded by Elvis) – it's fascinating to hear him get to grips with the lyrics which are almost perfect except for the aforementioned 'uncle' lyric. He then nails it on the stunning high-octane Promised Land master (take 6), and a snippet of Columbus Stockade Blues is also sung before the intro. Columbus Stockade Blues is a traditional country song that dates back to the 1930s, Elvis loved singing it, evident in his short rendition, but what if it had appeared on the Promised Land album proper? It's another highlight of the FTD release, but there's so much more ...

Promised Land : FTD 2 CD Special Edition.

The heartbreaking ballad – It's Midnight - take 7 is gorgeous, but it has to be said all the takes offer something a little different, whether it's Elvis joking with his musicians (takes 1-4, 8), and the beautiful reading of the Billy Ed Wheeler's / Jerry Chesnut lyrics - Elvis sings: 'Where is all my self control, I'm burning way down in my soul, and needing you,' it's stunning, and beautifully written, it's one of the most overlooked ballads of his entire career; the delicate, emotive phrasing after the chorus: 'lord, I miss you' is heartfelt and poignant, with Elvis pouring his heart out in a masterly performance.

The album is a compelling listen with something for everyone. The funky If You Talk In Your Sleep take 5, with James Burton's bluesy, infectious guitar riff, is just delicious! But there's more on CD-2 with take 6 and 9 adding to the funky mix. Furthermore the sound is clear, defined, and detailed with every instrument in harmony. The sound is simply stunning! Hats off to Mr. Anesini especially after the reported sound difficulties.

More standouts: Love Song Of The Year (rehearsal) is great fun, Elvis is having a great time on this one, and it's sure to make you smile ... likewise Thinking About You rehearsal + take 2, & take 3, has it's moments too. On the 'The Making of' (CD-2), Elvis is letting loose and having fun in the moment and it's a sheer joy to hear.

The new Vic Anesini mixes reveal more detail and add a wonderful freshness to the recordings, all the songs benefit in a new light and one example is Love Song of The Year which, love it or loathe it sounds good here. Wonderful lyrics, Elvis sings: 'That I let love slip through my fingers like a golden breath of air. If I cared I wouldn't be singing this love song of the year'. The 'golden breath' of air lyric is startling in its imagery – that's the magic of a great singer interpreting the simple but effecting lyric. Additionally, There's A Honky Tonk Angel's theme of neglected love and the dimming of the home-fires has never sounded as good on take-1.

The Promised Land album is indeed a classic but by including the alternate album and 'the making of' – it's now widescreen ... To sum up, Elvis took us on a trip to the promised land that's one hell of a ride – Kudos to the FTD team for releasing the ultimate edition of a classic album.

 Review : Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas FTD 2 CD Special Edition

Buy Promised Land : FTD 2 CD Classic Album
Buy Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas : FTD 2 CD Classic Album
Buy A Moment In Time : 4 Days in ‘56 Hardcover book
Buy The Elvis Is Back Sessions 2-disc 180-gram vinyl set

Promised land : Elvis Presley CD

Disc 1

The Original Album

1. Promised Land
2. There's A Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In)
3. Help Me
4. Mr. Songman
5. Love Song Of The Year
6. It's Midnight
7. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming
8. If You Talk In Your Sleep
9. Thinking About You
10. You Asked Me To
    
    Session Highlights : The Alternate Album
    
    
11. Promised Land : take 4
12. There's A Honky Tonk Angel : takes 3,2,7
13. Help Me - take 1 (undubbed master)
14. Mr. Songman : take 2
15. Love Song Of The Year : take 1
16. It's Midnight : take 9
17. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming - take 10
18. If You Talk In Your Sleep - take 5
19. Thinking About You : take 4
20. You Asked Me To : ?
    
    More Session Highlights
    
    
21. Promised Land : take 5
22. Love Song Of The Year : take 7
23. It's Midnight : take 11
24. Thinking About You : takes 5,6
25. You Asked Me To : ?

Disc 2

The Sessions : The Making Of

1. It's Midnight : takes 1-4, 8,7
2. You Asked Me To : ?
3. Mr. Songman : take 1
4. Thinking About You : rehearsal
5. Thinking About You : take 3
6. Promised Land : take 3,2
7. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming : takes 2,3
8. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming : take 4
9. There's A Honky Tonk Angel : take 1
10. Love Song Of The Year : rehearsal
11. Love Song Of The Year : take 2
12. It's Midnight : take 10
13. If You Talk In Your Sleep : takes 6,7, 8
14. Mr. Songman : takes 3,6
15. Love Song Of The Year : takes x,y, 8 (undubbed master)
16. You Asked Me To : take 3B (4 ??)
17. There's A Honky Tonk Angel : takes ?
18. It's Midnight : takes 15,16
19. Promised Land : take 6 : undubbed master
20. Thinking About You : ?
21. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming : take 8
22. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming : take 9

Personnel includes: Elvis Presley, Voice, J.D. Sumner & The Stamps (vocals).

Producer: John Snyder.

Reissue producers: Ernst Mikael Jorgensen, Roger Semon.

Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee in December 1973.

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