Thursday, June 07, 2018

June 07 - Don't Mess Around with Elvis Recordings

The CMT import-label, in cooperation with the Star  import-label announced the release of two new "spliced takes" compilations: "Don't Mess Around With Me... I'm Evil!" and "3764 - The Final Recordings". 

From the press-release for "Don't Mess Around With Me... I'm Evil!":

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Elvis legendary "Comeback Special" . Since the performances cannot be beaten, the best thing for us to do would be to present them in the same way as they were recorded... but since that has been done over and over (and over and over) CMT is proud to present this STAR production, which is the best release containing the 1968 recordings. ... in 50 years! Presented in a six panel digi-pack, limited to 500 copies. 

Much time and effort went into this release, some live tracks have been "spliced" from different shows, some studio tracks have been re-created and sound breathtaking! The live tracks are blended very cool, so you get the feeling you are listening to a complete show.

Probably the highlight is the "complete" version of Trouble/Guitar Man, cool edits make this work very well and makes the track even more "Evil". Some tracks have been shortened to make it a different listening experience, "That's All Right" for example is presented just like the original 1954 version, with no repeating versus and chorus.

"Let Yourself Go" has been spliced with the instrumental version and sounds very different. The "Gospel" segment has been re-created from scratch containing clever splices to make it sound just like the original version, only different ..."Blue Suede Shoes" (Stand up) has been re-edited and kicks some serious a... Throw in some more spliced takes, a rare rehearsal version of "Blue Moon of Kentucky" (spliced) and some cool live edits.

Blue Moon of Kentucky – Rehearsal / Band Warming Up / Trouble-Guitar Man – Alternate Extended Master / That’s All Right – Spliced version / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / All Shook Up / Jailhouse Rock / Don’t Be Cruel / Blue Suede Shoes – Alternate Master / When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again – Spliced version / Trying To Get To You / Lawdy, Miss Clawdy / Can’t Help Falling in Love / It Hurts Me Section 4 part 1, take 1 – Section 1 take 1 / If I Can Dream – take 1 / Let Yourself Go – Alternate Master  / Nothingville – Evil – Section 1  take 1  / Guitar Man – Evil – Section 1, take 10 / Big Boss Man – Escape – Section 3 take 1 / Guitar Man – Section 2, take 1 / Little Egypt – Section 2 , take 1 / Baby What Do You Want Me To Do / Tiger Man / Are You Lonesome Tonight? – Alternate Master / One Night / Love Me Tender / Love Me / Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child – take 1 / Where Could I Go But To The Lord – take 1 / Up Above My Head – spliced take 4, 7 / Saved – Alternate Master / Memories – Alternate Master

Details 3764 - The Final Recordings


Includes all tracks from both "Elvis Presley Boulevard" and "Moody Blue". He'll Have To Go" has been remade into a very different sounding track, it starts off with Elvis singing "He'll Have to Ho" James throws in a lick, and then our man bursts into "Put your sweet lips..."  "Love Coming Down" has been extended but there are no repeatable parts. "Danny Boy" has been spliced with the live version, and America starts and ends with short studio parts, filled with a live version, also recorded in Memphis!
Named above are only a few highlights, fans of the series know what to expect and will not be disappointed by this latest addition. Beautiful artwork matching the original release.

Hurt – Spliced take 1, 2 / Never Again   - Spliced take  8, 7, 4, 5, 4 / Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain  - Spliced take 1, 2, 5 / Danny Boy  - Spliced take 5 – Live, June 1st 1976 / The Last Farewell  - Spliced take 5, 3 undubbed masters / For The Heart  - Spliced take 4b, 5b, 5a / Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall – Alternate Master /Solitaire   - Spliced take 1, 2, 1, 8 / Love Coming Down  - Spliced take  2, 4 extended / I’ll Never Fall In Love Again – Spliced take 2, 1, 2, 4 / He’ll Have To Go – Alternate Master  / Way Down – Alternate Master  / Pledging My Love – Spliced take 2, 5, 1, 3 / Moody Blue – Spliced Live: 20/2/77 – 21/2/77  / She Think’s I Still Care – Spliced take 9, 7 , 10  / It’s Easy For You – Spliced take 3, 4, 2 / America – Live in Memphis, Tennessee on 5/7/76

(Source: FECC)