Review : From Elvis In Memphis

Patrick Trevellyan, rock music critic for The Examiner offers his take on Elvis' iconic album, From Elvis In Memphis, ahead of its 40th anniversary commemorative release.

Next year the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will induct its 25th class of musicians. In honor of this event, Rolling Stone magazine has started a series that looks back at five pivotal albums by Hall of Fame artists, starting with Bruce Springsteen's The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle in Issue 1080. Likewise, I have decided to take a look back at a little Hall history myself, but in a slightly different manner. Beginning with the Class of 1986, I plan to revisit one of my favorite albums by an artist or group from every class.

Starting things off is Elvis Presley's 1969 classic From Elvis in Memphis.

By 1968, Elvis had been performing for some 15 years and had released more than 30 albums; he had changed the face of music and conquered the world. However, his career was in a bit of a lull. While radio was dominated by The Beatles and so-called Hippie music like Jefferson Airplane and the Doors, Elvis spent most of his time making movies and releasing soundtracks that failed to match the success and quality of his earlier work. But on Dec. 3, 1968, NBC aired Elvis and it became clear that Elvis was back.

Among other things, the special featured stripped down live performances of the star's early material.

Fans were treated to a leather-clad Elvis singing, playing guitar and shaking his hips like he hadn't done since the ‘50s. With his popularity and confidence restored, Elvis took the energy from the TV special into the studio:

The result was From Elvis in Memphis.

Elvis, deciding to take more control of his career, chose to record at the American Sound Studios in Memphis, Tenn. This was the first time he had recorded in Memphis since he left Sun Records in 1955. Since then, the city had become a center for Soul music, and that change can be heard throughout the entire album.

Another important change, besides location, was the addition of producer Chips Moman. As a songwriter, session guitarist and founder of the American Sound Studios, Moman was well-experienced in creating the Memphis soul sound, which involved putting strong, moving vocals (something Elvis had plenty of) in the middle of meticulous arrangements, often done by seasoned session musicians.

For this album, Moman had assembled a group who were not only skilled soul players, but were also, like Elvis himself, familiar with country, blues and gospel. From Elvis in Memphis is the mixture of country and R&B that Elvis had pioneered filtered through the soul-pop machine of the Memphis studio.

Many of the songs came from the country music repertoire, such as 'It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin', 'Gentle on My Mind' and 'I'll Hold You in My Heart'. But Elvis' singing makes them fit right in with contemporary soul numbers like 'Only the Strong Survive', bluesy romps like 'Power of My Love' and pop songs like 'Any Day Now'.

Elvis also included his most explicitly political song to date, 'In the Ghetto', which tells the tale of a young boy's struggles in the slums of America. Elvis' gospel-tinged singing - which is undoubtedly strengthened by his own connections to the song, having grown up just above the poverty line himself - gives the song power without turning it into a protest song. It was the first single off the album and reached No. 3 on the Pop Singles chart.

The Memphis sessions produced even more hit singles with the non-album tracks such as 'Don't Cry Daddy' and 'Kentucky Rain'. But the single biggest song that came out of this period was 'Suspicious Minds'. On this soul classic, Elvis' intensity as he pleads to 'not let a good thing die' drives the band towards ecstasy - from the simple opening guitar lick to the full on blast of horns, strings and backing vocals that starts to fade out and then comes back for more. It deservedly gave Elvis his first No. 1 single in seven years.

From Elvis in Memphis was released to wide critical acclaim and has since gone on to be known as one of, if not the best, album of Elvis' career. In 2003, Rolling Stone named it No. 190 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of Rock and Roll. This album is a testament to why Elvis Presley is the King of Rock and Roll.

Sony will be releasing a 2-disc Legacy Edition of this album July 26, 2009.

The From Elvis In Memphis : 40th Anniversary Legacy Edition 2 CD Set, includes all the 32 masters recorded at these sessions. This release commemorates the 40th Anniversary of Elvis' historic American Studio sessions that resulted in 'Suspicious Minds', 'In the Ghetto' and 'Kentucky Rain' among many others. These recordings have been remastered from the original album masters for optimum sound quality.

Buy From Elvis In Memphis : 40th Anniversary Legacy Edition 2 CD Set

 Reinventing Elvis: The American Sound Studios Sessions

Legacy Reviews

CD Review : Elvis Country Legacy Edition by David Adams
CD Review : Elvis Is Back! Legacy Edition by David Adams
CD Review : From Elvis in Memphis Legacy Edition by David Troedson
CD Review : From Elvis In Memphis Legacy Edition by Tygrrius
CD Review : From Elvis in Memphis by Rolling Stone Magazine
CD Review : On Stage Legacy Edition by David Adams

From Elvis In Memphis : 40th Anniversary Legacy Edition 2 CD Set

Disc 1: Elvis Is Back (1960)

Make Me Know It
Fever
The Girl Of My Best Friend
I Will Be Home Again
Dirty, Dirty Feeling
Thrill Of Your Love
Soldier Boy
Such A Night
It Feels So Right
The Girl Next Door Went A'Walking
Like A Baby
Reconsider Baby
Stuck On You
Fame And Fortune
It's Now Or Never
A Mess Of Blues
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
I Gotta Know
Surrender

Disc 2: Something For Everybody (1961)

There's Always Me
Give Me The Right
It's A Sin
Sentimental Me
Starting Today
Gently
I'm Coming Home
In Your Arms
Put The Blame On Me
Judy
I Want You With Me
I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell
I Feel So Bad
(Marie's The Name Of) His Latest Flame
Little Sister
Good Luck Charm
Anything That's Part Of You

Buy Elvis Is Back! Legacy Edition

Musicians:

Elvis Presley and the band - Studio B, Nashville, June 1970

Top, (left to right): David Brigs, Norbert Putman, Elvis Presley, Al Pachucki, Jerry Carrigan; bottom: Felton Jarvis, Chip Young, Charlie McCoy, James Burton (Early morning hours June 9, 1970)

Guitar: James Burton (June sessions), Eddie Hinton (September sessions), Chip Young, Elvis Presley
Bass: Norbert Putnam
Drums: Jerry Carrigan
Piano: David Briggs
Organ & Harmonica: Charlie McCoy

Overdubbed later:

Guitar: James Burton, Harold Bradley ('Snowbird' only)
Percussion: Jerry Carrigan
Percussion & Vibes: Farrell Morris
Organ: David Briggs
Steel guitar: Weldon Myrick
Banjo: Bobby Thompson ('Little Cabin On The Hill' only)
Fiddle: Buddy Spicher ('Little Cabin On The Hill' only)
Trumpet: Charlie McCoy, George Tidwell, Don Sheffield, Glenn Baxter
Sax: Wayne Butler, Norman Ray
Trombone: Gene Mullins
Flue and Trombone: William Puett
Flute, Sax And Clarinet: Skip Lane
Vocals: The Imperials, The Jordanaires, Millie Kirkham, Mary (Jeannie) Greene, Mary Holladay, Ginger Holladay, Temple Riser, June Page, Sonja Montgomery, Dolores Edgin

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