BLOWN AWAY BY FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS

BLOWN AWAY BY FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS

Elvis Presley

As an avid Elvis Presley fan of many years, I collect most releases, but I have always been somewhat indifferent to the legendary status of From Elvis In Memphis – the muddy sounding CD releases just didn’t do the album justice. However, after reading your favourable review I bought a copy of the new From Elvis In Memphis 2-CD (Sony/Legacy), and was totally blown-away – the remastered sound is simply sensational; akin to a cloud of thick fog being lifted to reveal a stunning valley. There’s wonderful sitar on You’ll Think Of Me, throbbing bass, bluesy harmonica, trumpets, horns and Elvis’s rich baritone voice, plus many more musical nuances previously unheard. The gorgeous gospel-tinged backing vocals and piano on the R&B belter Wearing That Loved On Look; the tolling funeral bell and fatal car crash imagery of the albums standout, Long Black Limousine; and powerhouse blues on Power Of My Love. Presley essentially reveals the depths of his soul on this album with music that just oozes Memphis. It’s the sound of a man giving everything he’s got after his 1960s movie nadir, and ultimately squeezing his soul dry. Additionally the packaging is absolutely superb and there’s 10 original mono singles on CD-2, including big hitters Suspicious Minds, In The Ghetto and Kentucky Rain among others. It’s so refreshing to hear an original classic Elvis album instead of the countless greatest hits compilations. From Elvis In Memphis is Presley’s 1960s recording zenith; this landmark release, is to me, a complete and utter revelation, and now more than worthy of its revered iconic status.

by David Tinson
<< Back to Issue 368

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