The Millbranch Music import record label released the CD 'New Script, Same Stage' focusing on Elvis' music from the first 3 months of 1972. A LP edition is due August 2024.
With this CD, we want to pay tribute to that turbulent time of the recording sessions where Elvis presented his new show in Las Vegas in January and February with a lot of new songs in his setlist and turned his feelings into music at Hollywood´s RCA Studio C, given the fact that his marriage was falling apart at the time. The result was a very emotional output of music as only Elvis was able to create because he had put his whole heart and feelings into the recordings, probably even meant as a public apology to his lost love. At least, the songs were kind of a statement – done coincidentally or not.
Although there never really was an Elvis Presley album from 1972 that had an impact as if recorded from the same mould, Elvis albums were indeed released that year. “Elvis Now” came out in January 1972, containing more folk-oriented songs such as Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” featuring the big hit “Put Your Hand in the Hand” by Gene MacLellan from a group called “Ocean”. Elvis had previously sung MacLellan’s “Snowbird,” which was a big hit for Anne Murray, who also had “Put Your Hand in the Hand” on her album. Additionally, “Elvis Now” included Gordon Lightfoot’s “Early Morning Rain.”
In January, Elvis also released a single from the LP “Until It’s Time for You to Go” by Buffy Sainte-Marie and “We Can Make the Morning” by Jay Ramsey. In April 1972, the gospel LP “He Touched Me” was released along with the single “Bosom of Abraham.” The album won a Grammy Award in 1973 in the “Best Gospel Album” category. In June, the LP “As Recorded at Madison Square Garden” was released in a rush, making it to the stores within a week and earning Elvis a gold record by August 1972.
Although the music for the albums, aside from “Madison Square Garden”, were all recorded in 1971, there were indeed recording sessions planned for 1972. RCA had made significant investments to record during the winter season in Las Vegas, where Elvis presented his completely new show - a no-nonsense show with more drama, more music, and less interaction with the audience.
In March, at RCA Studio C in Hollywood, new songs were to be recorded. These songs became some of the most iconic Elvis Presley songs, including “Burning Love,” “Always on My Mind,” and “Fool” by James Last. Unfortunately, the songs mostly came out on budget LPs from RCA Camden and in 1973 on the album “Elvis,” which the public called “The Elvis Fool Album.” This record was mainly filled with various leftover songs from the archive.
It is unfortunate that the songs and the concept of the songs from early 1972 were never released as a full album because when you hear all the songs in an order, they do indeed fit together. We strongly believe that the songs on his new CD fit together very well! Hear Elvis at his best at the early stage of 1972!
Tracklist CD: The Impossible Dream (16.02.1972 MS) - Until It's Time For You To Go (26.01.1972 OS) - Polk Salad Annie (26.01.1972 OS) - Love Me (14.02.1972 MS) - Never Been To Spain (14.02.14, 1972 MS) - It's Over (17.02.1972 MS) - Hound Dog (14.02.1972 MS) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (26.01.1972 OS) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (26.01.1972 OS) - You Gave Me A Mountain (15.02.1972 MS) - It's Impossible (16.02.1972 MS) - Little Sister / Get Back (14.02.1972 MS) - Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (14.02.1972 MS) - Burning Love (Take 2) - Where Do I Go From Here (Take 6) - A Big Hunk O Love (17.02.1972 DS) - All Shook Up (14.02.1972 MS) - For The Good Times (Orchestral Overdub) - Fool - One Night (26.01.1972, OS) - An American Trilogy (15.02.1972, MS) - Separate Ways (Orchestral Overdub) - It's A Matter Of Time (Orchestral Overdub) - Always On My Mind (Orchestral Overdub) - Can't Help Falling In Love (26.01.1972, OS) - I'll Remember You (26.01.1972, OS).
The CD is available from >>> Bennies Fifties.
Issue #76 of the Yours Retro magazine features an article 'Elvis Vs. The Beatles - A box office battle that almost toppled the King'.
(Source: Bennies Fifties on Facebook / Yours Retro)