Ultimate Gospel

[mn-designs]

Anyone seen the new gospel cd in any dutch cd store?i went yesterday to the free record shop en van leest, the first (the free) hadn't heard about this release :shock: and he didn't believe they going to sell it, and at van leest they said it is released but not here in holland at the time and couldn't tell me when it will be...strange.. :x

[P.S. Annie]

Same problem with the last christmas album(last December), I could only find one copy in store, free record, but they told me then it would be there only copy, so I had search for other gifts :x

[mn-designs]

Good News: today at the van leest store: there it was! the ultimate gospel...only 1 copy.. yeah thats a way to make it hit cd..
But you can win them all... i'm listing to the cd right now and the sound is way better than the gospel releases from the past! i made a alt. cover for this cd http://www.tcb-world.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=232, but the original is simple but a beauty! good job RCA! but a minor: there isn't much info in the booklet, only a short forword by Ernst, and afcourse some nice pictures (by the way almost the same as i used for my alt. cover) and the tracklist, that could be better, but if you buy it you won't regret it, only for the sound you should buy it!

[Albert]

Good News: today at the van leest store: there it was! the ultimate gospel...only 1 copy.. yeah thats a way to make it hit cd..
But you can win them all... i'm listing to the cd right now and the sound is way better than the gospel releases from the past! i made a alt. cover for this cd http://www.tcb-world.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=232, but the  original is simple but a beauty! good job RCA! but a minor: there isn't much info in the booklet, only a short forword by Ernst, and afcourse some nice pictures (by the way almost the same as i used for my alt. cover) and the tracklist, that could be better, but if you buy it you won't regret it, only for the sound you should buy it!

Is the sound better than on "Christmas Peace"?

[mn-designs]

Hi Albert: Yes the sound is better than christmas peace, do you have the close up box? the sound is the same as as on that boxset (cd-3).
I will play this cd a lot ( i'm big elvis gospel fan, it's for me a way to relax after hard day of working)
Patrick

[Lonniebealestreet]

Glad to hear your thumbs-up on the sound, Patrick. I haven't heard it and I was afraid it was not going to be such an improvement.

[tcb_aron]

[PiersEIN]

Hi Gang, Hi Sam.
This is elsewhere - but not on elvis.com.au - so you may be interested. Ultimate Gospel was on continuous rotation until MEMPHIS arrived.

Cheers
Piers


Elvis ? Ultimate Gospel.

From the Grammy award winning ?How Great Thou Art? to the final song, the all-important ?Peace In The Valley? this new CD is 63 minutes of glorious Gospel music as only Elvis could sing.

The problem with Elvis Gospel compiles is that they always have to straddle 3 decades of music and so usually sound very uneven in both context and sound. However with a lovely balanced sound and a clever choice of tracks ?Ultimate Gospel? is close to perfect.

With Elvis? ?Christmas Peace? recent release, this CD might be viewed as a strange repeat. However, only 6 of the tracks are featured on both CDs and there is a very different thematic focus to each. Of course, with just 24 tracks some personal favourites are bound to be omitted, and for me it is the outstanding ?Stand By Me? but this is just a minor quibble.

I was a little wary purchasing these same tracks for the umpteenth time however with the sensational sound, due to new DSD audio technology, Elvis Gospel has never sounded as good. While Elvis? 1966 recordings show the biggest improvement in sound all the tracks have a lovely rich and warm feel to them which suits the delicious gospel harmonies. Listen closely to the awesome power and the blend of voices on ?Amazing Grace?.

The track order is also an inspiration in itself. For instance, the powerful ?Reach Out To Jesus? is followed by ?Who Am I?? (the last song of the ?Suspicious Minds? sessions) and then by 1973?s ?Help Me?. This clever sequencing emphasises Elvis? own feelings about religion, his questioning about his purpose in life, as well as his own soul-searching.

(With Gospel harmonies in mind I noted that ?Help Me? is mixed similarly to the ?Amazing Grace? version, deliciously emphasising the harmonies between Elvis and the backing vocalists. The ?Promised Land? 2000 CD version is very different.)

The 1966 ?How Great Thou Art? songs are the most noticeable for improved audio. The extra echo has been removed and the sound is perfect and clean, with a lovely warm vinyl feel. A standout is the fabulous ?Where Could I Go But To The Lord? which has never sounded better. Recorded at 3am in the morning the cool blues, accompanied by Elvis? finger clicks, is impassioned and heartfelt. Listening on headphones you can soak up every passionate Nashville Studio B moment.

Similarly, it?s impossible not to be touched by the power of 1967?s ?You?ll Never Walk Alone? with Elvis playing piano and producing a, pretty-well spontaneous, one-take wonder.

Elvis? love of Gospel Quartets is reflected with songs from all eras and they have never fitted so well. ?Lead Me, Guide Me? is one of Elvis? most touching performances from 1971 and when he sings, ?I am lost if you take your hand from me? he seems so totally sincere it is truly moving. Little did we know how lost he would be by the end of 1971. Again this version has a lovely rich mix and has never sounded better.

As a temptation to collectors I would have loved to seen the CD feature the un-dubbed version of ?Miracle Of The Rosary? since Felton?s orchestral overdubs always seemed a little excessive on this potentially fragile song. It would also have improved the flow into the sincere ?Take My Hand, Precious Lord? that follows, but I do realise that I am being very picky here!

The cover design is a delight featuring some great photos, the ?Comeback Special? shot is sensational, as well as listing all of Elvis? Grammy Awards and Nominations. There are also some, previously unpublished, delightful words from his Mother Gladys including,
?When Elvis was just a little fellow, he would slide off my lap, run down the aisle, and scramble up to the platform of the church. He would stand looking up at the choir and try to sing with them.?

In the past I have often turned to the double CD ?Amazing Grace? for inspiration however ?Ultimate Gospel? has already become my firm favourite since it is a perfect hour that inspires contemplation, peace and a moving look into Elvis? soul.
If you feel like a perfect slice of Elvis Gospel, do check it out you won?t regret it.

- Piers,
Elvis Information Network Fan Club.
Australia.

[Albert]

Great review.... thanks

I'm still not sure wether to buy it or not. I own "Peace In The Valley" 3CD box, "He Touched Me 24bit", "Stand By Me" vol. 1 and 2 and recently bought "Christmas Peace".

I think I'll drop by a recordstore next week to make the final desicion

[Keith F]

I must admit the sound on this release really is the best I?ve heard, and I would compare it to the Japanese 24 Bit releases but I?ve noticed there is a mastering fault between tracks 8 & 9 ?His Hand In Mine? and ?I Believe In The Man In The Sky?. Also at the 1.33 mark of ?Peace In The Valley? in the right channel you can hear a slight fault, just as Elvis sings ?There will be P(fault)eace in the valley?. Are these faults on anyone else?s CD?

Keith

[NightRider]

You are right about the sound Keith,
I think it is better than we have had before

Not a huge difference but certainly noticeable.

I haven't noticed any faults on my copy but then i did skip through it a little

I have to give it another go and check it out.

[P.S. Annie]

After al these good reviews I think I will buy me copy next month. This board is going to cost me money

[curtis simpkins]

I love it, i played it about 4 times now.....

[Captain Elwood David]

As a longtime, hardcore fan .......... I don't see any reason to purchase either "Christmas Peace" or "Ultimate Gospel."

Am perfectly happy with "If Everyday ....." & "Amazing Grace" sets.

More power to those of you that keep buying the same stuff over & over.


- Capt. "EL."

[curtis simpkins]

keep buying the same stuff over & over.

is that we doing on the out-takes and the concert's
i try to buy everything on elvis, but mostly the vinyl records.

[NightRider]

Do you like Vinyl then Curtis

I don't mind buying the same material over and over - as long as there is a reason behind it....in the case of The Ultimate Gospel, i waited until a good friend of mine bought it, had a listen, then decided to buy because of the improved sound.

[Captain Elwood David]

Originally posted by curtis simpkins@Apr 18 2004, 09:04 AM
keep buying the same stuff over & over.
is that we doing on the out-takes and the concert's
i try to buy everything on elvis, but mostly the vinyl records.

- not the unreleased material.
- not the unheard outtakes & concerts.
- i prefer cd's

- capt. "el."

[Albert]

Originally posted by Captain Elwood David+Apr 18 2004, 09:22 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Captain Elwood David @ Apr 18 2004, 09:22 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-curtis simpkins@Apr 18 2004, 09:04 AM
keep buying the same stuff over & over.
is that we doing on the out-takes and the concert&#39;s
i try to buy everything on elvis, but mostly the vinyl records.

- not the unreleased material.
- not the unheard outtakes & concerts.
- i prefer cd&#39;s

- capt. "el." [/b][/quote]
Same here

I only buy a CD with &#39;the same old songs&#39; when the sound is improved (like with E1, E2 and all the soundtrack re-releases). But then I give away (or try to sell) the old versions.

[Captain Elwood David]

Originally posted by Albert@Apr 18 2004, 03:30 PM
Same here.

I only buy a CD with &#39;the same old songs&#39; when the sound is improved (like with E1, E2 and all the soundtrack re-releases). But then I give away (or try to sell) the old versions.

I also bought E1 & E2. (E1 had unreleased content & alternate takes that I wanted. That sound won me over enough to pick up E2 - which is also great. Didn&#39;t care for either of the remixes though, .......... & still don&#39;t).

These releases were hyped for their improved sound. Initially, I was skeptical. Although I&#39;m not an audiophile, the difference was fantastic and obvious.

If all releases were like these, I&#39;d probably be doing the same as you, Albert.

Unfortunately, most are not.


- Capt. "EL."

[Lonniebealestreet]

I don&#39;t generally buy strict reissues of previously released material, but I did get Christmas Peace and then about three days ago, I broke down and got Ultimate Gospel. I will say that I am more satisfied with my most recent purchase than I was with Christmas Peace. There&#39;s nothing really wrong with CP, and the sound is a little better, but the improvement seemed more distinct on UG. Guess the technology improved that much in a few months. (Kidding, of course.)