Missed recording session Jan 1977

[ruggishboo]

Anyone have any info on any material Elvis considered recording in Jan 1977 at Buzz Cason's studio in Nashville? I heard before the move to Cason's Creative Workshop would of yielded more contemporary music from Elvis, just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on it...

[Unchained Melody]

Try looking for the cd "A Cold Night In Nashville" it has some demos that Elvis listened to and was planning on recording them !

[EP75]

Rainy Night In Georgia was one of the songs he was planning on recording.

[Unchained Melody]

Rainy Night In Georgia was one of the songs he was planning on recording.

That is one I wish Elvis had recorded...such a beautiful song (y).

[Raised on Rock]

These idea sounds a lot like going to Chips Moman American Sound Studios back in '69, maybe Creative Workshop could have delivered the perfect swan song for Elvis Presley, I´ve always regreted this didnt happened.

[vulcandude]

These idea sounds a lot like going to Chips Moman American Sound Studios back in '69, maybe Creative Workshop could have delivered the perfect swan song for Elvis Presley, I?ve always regreted this didnt happened.I don't think Elvis really had a sawn song, except maybe the version of "Unchained Meoldy" from "Elvis In Concert". I thought he was recording lovely material still. I would have loved to have seen more recordings come out of The Jungle Room at Graceland, for he seemed relaxed at home. Our wishes are for naught though.....the King is gone.

[Keith F]

Here are the sesson logs for these sessions - It's a pity Elvis didn't turn up!

http://www.keithflynn.com/images/77-01-20.JPG

http://www.keithflynn.com/images/77-01-21.JPG

http://www.keithflynn.com/images/77-01-23.JPG

http://www.keithflynn.com/images/77-01-24.JPG

[Unchained Melody]

Thank you Keith for posting those. Another missed oppurtunity in Elvis' life.

[elvisdownunder]

The songs that are on the demo CD that Brad mentioned, are the ones Elvis and Felton agreed to record

By Day By Day
Rainy Night In Georgia
Energy
Thats what you do to me
Let me on
Yes i do

Except for 'Rainy night', all the songs selected were upbeat, rocknroll based pop numbers. If Elvis had've also selected to overdub his vocal on 'Theres a fire down below', and put Way down and a couple of other good ballads to even out things, the album would've been his best in many years, and would've bought Elvis back to the charts and been a slight comeback to his recording career. But it unfortunately never happened

[Larry Dickman]

When one considers that the bodyguard book was well and truely in the pipeline, an album release from this proposed recording session may have been just what the Doctor (not Nick:supriced: ) ordered........also, the upcoming CBS special would have provided a great vehicle to promote such an album, had he performed songs from said record.
It would have also made for a much 'stronger' TV Special.

[0349054]

I disagree. An album, yes, that TV special was possibly the dumbest thing to do on the part of Elvis & The Colonel. CBS did offer crazy money, and thats why Colonel accepted - but this is a public who last saw Elvis on TV in 1973 during the Aloha special.

1977 CBS Elvis is not a well man, physically he had changed tremendously, so much so that people were shocked when it aired after he died - and that special does add to the popular conception that throughout the 70's Elvis was overweight, which simply is not true.

Personally I think a fresh album from Nashville was the one thing Elvis did need; while also a break from touring in my opinion was essential - if not practical - but essential.

[nashville cat]

Very intriguing considering this would have probably been the finest recording studio Elvis recorded in up to that point in time. RCA's studios had been behind the times, technology-wise for years, and though some great sides were produced at Graceland, sonically it left a lot to be desired.

Such a shame. Would have loved to have heard some more great music with that great band backing up the greatest singer that ever lived.

[Larry Dickman]

I disagree. An album, yes, that TV special was possibly the dumbest thing to do on the part of Elvis & The Colonel. CBS did offer crazy money, and thats why Colonel accepted - but this is a public who last saw Elvis on TV in 1973 during the Aloha special.

1977 CBS Elvis is not a well man, physically he had changed tremendously, so much so that people were shocked when it aired after he died - and that special does add to the popular conception that throughout the 70's Elvis was overweight, which simply is not true.

Personally I think a fresh album from Nashville was the one thing Elvis did need; while also a break from touring in my opinion was essential - if not practical - but essential.


Some valid points, 0349054.
With regard the CBS Special, I agree, that back in 1977 this was a bad idea, however, in hindsight I think the special would have benifitted greatly with the inclusion of songs from the aborted Nashville session.
(BTW, from a 2006 standpoint, I am glad we have two professionally 'filmed' shows from Elvis' last tour)

[Unchained Melody]

Very good point Larry. I would much rather have those Omaha and Rapid City shows than have nothing at all !

Colonel should have set up another deal similar to the CBS long before 1977. Elvis needed something to look forward to and get excited about. March '74 would have been a great time to make a sepcial. With Elvis returning to his hometown and giving his first live concert that in 13 years !

[Larry Dickman]

Very good point Larry. I would much rather have those Omaha and Rapid City shows than have nothing at all !

Colonel should have set up another deal similar to the CBS long before 1977. Elvis needed something to look forward to and get excited about. March '74 would have been a great time to make a sepcial. With Elvis returning to his hometown and giving his first live concert that in 13 years !


Now thats a good idea.....wonder if Elvis would have seen it as enough of a challenge???? ie, to get into shape, re-jig the show etc..........

[Unchained Melody]

I think for Elvis to "re-jig" the show, and get into the physical condition he was in lets say around '70, it would have taken a bigger challenger than that. Like maybe A World Tour !! :hmm:

[Larry Dickman]

I think for Elvis to "re-jig" the show, and get into the physical condition he was in lets say around '70, it would have taken a bigger challenger than that. Like maybe A World Tour !! :hmm:

I think you may well be right, Cheif.

[EP6873]

The songs that are on the demo CD that Brad mentioned, are the ones Elvis and Felton agreed to record

By Day By Day
Rainy Night In Georgia
Energy
Thats what you do to me
Let me on
Yes i do

Except for 'Rainy night', all the songs selected were upbeat, rocknroll based pop numbers. If Elvis had've also selected to overdub his vocal on 'Theres a fire down below', and put Way down and a couple of other good ballads to even out things, the album would've been his best in many years, and would've bought Elvis back to the charts and been a slight comeback to his recording career. But it unfortunately never happened


Do you know who is singing on the demo cd?

[Keith F]

By Day By Day = Dennis Linde
Rainy Night In Georgia = Brook Benton
Rainy Night In Georgia = Tony Joe White
Energy = Tommy Roe
Energy = Bob Morrison
Thats what you do to me = Bob Morrison
Let me on = Layng Martine Jnr
Yes i do = Alan Rush

[vulcandude]

Personally I think a fresh album from Nashville was the one thing Elvis did need; while also a break from touring in my opinion was essential - if not practical - but essential.It may have been essential for Elvis to break from touring, and from what I understand, after the Agust 16th '77 tour that would have been, he was planning on doing so. But, Elvis was spending more than was coming in, so the need to tour was greater than the need not to. It is also one of the reasons I suspect, for Col. Parker having made the deal with CBS when he did. If I remember correctly, there was a tv special planned in '74, but Parker wanted too much money for Elvis (and for himself).