Elvis Song Rarities - The 'Long' Versions
Bossa Nova Baby: one of the most famous 'long versions' of an Elvis recording is the extended disco mix of the 1963 hit Bossa Nova Baby penned by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The film version from Fun In Acapulco ran for 1' 55" and the 45rpm single for 1' 58". The single version peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Elvis' last single to chart on the R&B chart in the US where it reached #17. A 1987 extended disco remix brought the song back into public consciousness, at least in Europe. A monster hit on the dance floors through Europe it had a playing time of 5' 10".
It was released as a 12" single in England (import copies were available throughout Australasia) and on the 'Elvis Latino' (74321 31495-2) CD album from South America. It also appeared on several bootleg albums, most recently as a bonus track on 'A Little Less Conversation - '68 Session Rarities'.
Don't Think Twice It's Alright: Elvis' jam session of the Bob Dylan classic has appeared on various albums over the years. The version issued on the 'Fool' album ran a meagre 2' 45", while a longer version (8' 35") was issued on the album 'Our Memories of Elvis Volume 2'. A 4' 00" version surfaced on the 1970s masters box set, 'Walk A Mile In My Shoes' and a 10' 46" edited version on the bootleg, 'Behind Closed Doors'. The full 14' 27" jam was finally issued on a bootleg album, 'Don't Think Twice It's Alright'.
Faded Love: originally released on the 1970 album, 'Elvis Country' with a playing time of 3' 04" a subsequent long version was issued on the bootleg album, 'Behind Closed Doors' (4' 16"). A later bootleg, 'Make The World Go Away' featured two extended versions of take 1 with running times of 4' 10" and 4' 24".
When I'm Over You: first issued on the 'Love Letters' album in 1970 at 2' 22", an extended version with a running time of 3' 35" appeared on the bootleg, 'Make The World Go Away'.
The Next Step Is Love: originally released on single in July 1970 at 2' 26", an extended version of take 11 with a running time of 3' 44" was issued on the late 1990s bootleg on the Captain Marvel Jr. label, 'Make The World Go Away'. A double-sided hit on the singles chart with I've Lost You, The Next Step Is Love peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100, at #57 on the Country chart and #5 on the Easy Listening chart.
It's Only Love: recorded on 20 May, 1971 at the RCA Studios in Nashville, the single version had a playing time of 2' 37". Two longer versions were subsequently released: take 9 ran for 4' 19" and appeared on 'A Hundred Years From Now' (aka 'Essential Elvis Volume 4'), while a 5' 45" version was released on the cassette edition of 'Elvis Aron Presley' (aka the Silver Box Set - CPL8-3699). It's Only Love reached a high of 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 (for a 6 weeks chart stay) and #19 on the Easy Listening chart.
The Sound of Your Cry: this track was originally released as the flip side of the It's Only Love single with a playing time of 3' 11". A 4' 00" take was released on the cassette version of the 1980 box set release 'Elvis Aron Presley' (aka the Silver Box Set). It was also included on the British release of 'Greatest Hits Volume 1'. The Sound of Your Cry was a minor hit on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, reaching #19 with a 5 weeks stay.
I'm Leavin': as a single, I'm Leavin' had a playing time of 3' 48". The full version ran for 4' 35" and again appeared on the cassette version of 'Elvis Aron Presley' (aka the Silver Box Set). The single version peaked at a disappointing #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart.
Fool: the original edit of 2' 42" was released as a single and on the "Fool" album. A 4' 00" version appeared on both the FTD album Elvis 6363 Sunset and the bootleg For The Good Times which also included a 3' 15" edit. The "Elvis Aron Presley' box set (cassette version) included a 3' 45" recording. On the Billboard charts Fool reached #17 on the Hot 100, #31 on the Country list and #12 on the Easy Listening chart.
It's Still Here: when released in 1971 on the "Fool' album the running time was 2' 05". A 3' 53" 'Elvis on piano only' take was issued on the 'Silver Box Set' and on 'Walk A Mile In My Shoes' (70s Masters) an overdub free version of 3' 29".
Talk About The Good Times: the original release on the "Good Times' album in 1974 ran for 2' 23". On 'Elvis Rhythm & Country' (aka 'Essential Elvis Vol. 5') we were treated to the 3' 40" version.
You Asked Me To: This track was recorded in the Stax Studios in December 1973. The version on the 'Promised Land' album had a running time of 2' 51" while a 4' 12" version appeared on 'Essential Elvis Vol. 5'.
Thinking About You: As a flip side to the single, 'Promised Land' in 1974 the running time was 3' 27". 'Essential Elvis Volume 5' gave us a version at 3' 56" while the album 'Our Memories of Elvis Volume 2' included one at 3' 02".
Promised Land: this great mid 70s rocker from Elvis was issued as a 2' 51" single. A shorter 1' 57" remix appeared on 'This Is Elvis', while longer versions were released on Essential Elvis Vol. 5' (2' 56") and a Brazilian album, 'Good Rockin' Tonight' (3' 54"). How Promised Land missed out on a top 10 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 confounded many critics and fans. It peaked at #14 and at #9 on the Country chart and #8 on the Easy Listening list.
I Can Help: A spliced 4' 01" version appeared on the albums, 'Today' and 'Our Memories of Elvis Vol. 1'. In England the album 'I Can Help' featured an edited version running at 3' 08".
Susan When She Tried: as a 1975 album track on 'Today' the track came in at 2' 15". The release of '6363 Sunset' from the FTD label gave us the 3' 52" recording.
Moody Blue: the original single and album version clocked 2' 49". FTD treated us to the long version, an impressive 5' 34" on the release 'Jungle Room Sessions'. A comparative failure on the Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at #31, it was a #1 hit on the Country chart and peaked at #2 on the Easy Listening list.
In compiling the above list I have focused on recordings where there was a time difference of around a 1 minute or more between takes.
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
