Publicity stated: An unprecedented look into Elvis’ Los Angeles studio sessions (1970–1975). 89 tracks of rarities + new and never-heard mixes to be released in 5-CD and digital formats, alongside a 2-LP ‘highlights’ edition.
It is a definitive 5-CD collection chronicling Elvis’ recording sessions and rehearsals at RCA’s legendary Los Angeles studios. Spanning 89 rarities (over half of which have only been previously released via FTD) 'Sunset Boulevard' delivers illuminating perspective onto Elvis’ 1970s recording output.
The collection’s first two discs (as released on the 2 LP ‘highlights’ vinyl set) feature new and never-heard mixes from four-time GRAMMY winner Matt Ross-Spang, stripping all overdubs and delivering fresh insights in the process.
Opening with seventeen classics from throughout Elvis’ time in RCA Studio C, these mixes provide an intimate glimpse into the ways his riveting voice interacts with material from the era’s greatest songwriters: Kris Kristofferson’s 'For The Good Times' (a 1972 b-side), Paul Williams’ 'Where Do I Go From Here' (1973), plus 1975's Billy Swan’s 'I Can Help' (1975) and Don McLean’s 'And I Love You So' among them.
Ross-Spang’s stripped-down mixes equally bolster the seventeen studio outtakes that comprise the set’s second piece.
The final three CDs are a behind-the-scenes look at Elvis’ history-making Las Vegas residency, featuring Los Angeles rehearsals from July 1970 and August 1974 with his iconic TCB Band. Throughout the sessions, Elvis pours himself into every line - with no one listening but his band and the engineer in the control room, as his lifelong love of performing is on full display.
Notable among the 1974 recordings are two featured tracks that Elvis never made studio versions of - 'Twelfth of Never' (originally a hit for Johnny Mathis) and 'Softly As I Leave You' - which finds him narrating a prologue about the song’s purported origins (inspired by Charles Boyer). Elvis’ instinctive chemistry with The TCB Band is palpable throughout both rehearsals, perhaps owing to his decision to record with a road band for the first time during this era.
The 5-CD set and digital formats, including rare archival photographs and new liner notes from music historian Colin Escott.
The set is available for pre-order from >>> Amazon. Listen to the preview of 'Burning Love' Take 2' here:
CD 2 - Outtakes Highlights: Separate Ways (Take 25) - For The Good Times (Take 3) - Where Do I Go From Here (Take 2) - Burning Love (Take 2) - Fool (Take 1) - Always On My Mind (Take 2) - It's A Matter Of Time (Take 1 - 3) - It's A Matter Of Time (Take 4) - Fairytale (Take 2) - Green, Green Grass Of Home - And I Love You So (Take 2) - Susan When She Tried - T-R-O-U-B-L-E (Take 1) - Tiger Man - Shake A Hand (Take 2) - Bringin' It Back (Take 2 & 3) - Pieces Of My Life (Take 2 & 3)
CD 3 - July 24, 1970 Rehearsal: That's All Right - I Got A Woman (#1) - I Got A Woman (#2) - The Wonder Of You - I've Lost You - The Next Step Is Love - Stranger In The Crowd - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Something - Don't Cry Daddy (#1) - Don't Cry Daddy (#2) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Polk Salad Annie - Bridge Over Troubled Water - I Can't Stop Loving You - Just Pretend - Sweet Caroline - Love Me Tender - Words - Suspicious Minds - I Just Can't Help Believin' (#1) - I Just Can't Help Believin' (#2)
CD 4 - July 24, 1970 Rehearsal (continued): Tomorrow Never Comes - Mary In The Morning - Twenty Days And Twenty Nights - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Just Can't Help Believin' - Heart Of Rome - Heart Of Rome - Memories - Johnny B. Goode - Make The World Go Away - Stranger In My Own Home Town - I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
August 16, 1974 Rehearsal: If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Promised Land - Promised Land - Down In The Alley - Down In The Alley
CD 5 August 16, 1974 Rehearsal (continued): It's Midnight (#1) - It's Midnight (#2) - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming - Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues - Softly As I Leave You (#1) - Softly As I Leave You (#2) - I'm Leavin' - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Proud Mary - If You Talk In Your Sleep - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (#1) - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (#2) - The Twelfth Of Never - Faded Love - Just Pretend
Vinly Editions
This new LP features newly mixed versions of select recordings and outtakes, pure and without overdubs.
Graceland announced the release of a Graceland Exclusive vinyl edition with a yellow and orange colored LP.
Tracks vinyl version - side A: Always On My Mind - Burning Love - Separate Ways - It's A Matter Of Time - For The Good Times - Fool
Side C: Burning Love (Take 2) - Separate Ways (Take 25) - Where Do I Go From Here (Take 2) - Always On My Mind (Take 2) - Fool (Take 1) - For The Good Times (Take 3)
Side D: Tiger Man - Green, Green Grass Of Home - Shake A Hand (Take 2) - And I Love You So (Take 2) - Fairytale (Alternate Take 2) - T-R-O-U-B-L-E (Take 1)
The LP set is available for pre-order from >>> Amazon (associate link), check it out!
Back Online
After the recent hack of the ElvisCities hosting servers that hosted nearly 100 (in)active websites, more and more sites return online.
A favorite of many photo fans, Paul Sweeney's Elvis Candid Central is back, thanks to the Elvis Appreciation Society hosting the sites.
The EAP Society also offered other affected sites to help them return online. You can contact the society at www.eapsociety.com.
Here are the new links:
(Source: Elvis Collectors Facebook Group / SMF Store / Elvis The Music)