Reply With QuoteThe studio version, with the great Jerry Reed on guitar. Bonus points for the extended ending with "What'd I Say." There're some nice alternate takes, as well.
It's still cool in the TV special, though.
For years I liked the 68 special better, but the studio version is incredible, and Elvis frickin nails it! Which do you prefer? They are so different as the 68 special version as a more upbeat tempo, but lately I'm leaning towards the studio cut, with the great Jerry Reed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3gkBMuyq8U
The studio version, with the great Jerry Reed on guitar. Bonus points for the extended ending with "What'd I Say." There're some nice alternate takes, as well.
It's still cool in the TV special, though.
I'm a roving roustabout...
Definitley the Studio version with the late great Jerry Reed on guitar..completely flawless performance if you ask me..
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
I like the 68 comeback special version better only cause it sounds more raw & raunchy.
He puts more into it too. But the guitar does better on the studio version.
I also really like the 1980s version with the new music added to it.
They're both excellent in completely different ways. Raunchy and raw is certainly the 68 special, but in the studio version, Elvis's tone was perfect.Originally Posted by MojoElvis
but I think on the 68 special he was going for a different voice so he didn't sound like he did on his movie soundtracks. He did that with the, How Great Tho Art, LP too.
My opinion is that he never really liked that really short hair, no sideburns and clean cut image.
The studio version i really like the long version with the What'd I Say ending
I never looked for trouble but I never ran.
Couldn't agree more Joe.
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
My feelings also.
The original version was tame compared to the 68 version. He sings it closer to a live feel-it rocks. Sure Jerry Reeds guitar work is better-but you can hear the fire in Elvis's vocal on the 68 version and to me thats what I am listening for.
Yeah, they're almost like two different songs. I heard the Comeback version before the studio version so I was used to that one and thought the studio version was way too subdued at first. That vicious vocal treatment is hard to beat.
But over time I definitely came to appreciate the studio performance. Agreed, the What'd I Say ending is killer. I just remembered that growl or whatever he did at the very end, nice.
I do not care of the '81 remix because the Jerry Reed work is gone, and it not only lacks the power of the Comeback vocal but they screwed the pitch up on it as well presumably for the sake of speed. Eesh.
...you won't forget me when I go.
The studio version is the better take but the Special really put this tune on the map and galvanized the song as a historical Elvis moment in a way which possibly wouldn't have occurred as significantly otherwise. I usually get more excited about it when he does it on the show too, so my vote has to go with the '68 Special in this instance.
'Taking Care of Beaulieu'.
Back in '67 I really liked the studio version when it first came out as a single. But then came the '68 Special version. Wow! Blew the single away.
Gotta agree with you MojoElvis!!! The '68 Special version is just such a more raw and rough sounding version, which I think makes the song just stand out that much more...the roughness of the '68 Special version just fits the overall mood of the song better to me!!!
But there is no denying the unmistakable guitar work on the studio version that Jerry Reed did....
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
I personally like the studio version beter because it has Jerry Reed on guitar.
I actually like the 1980 version. Jerry Reed did play guitar on that version (As per original album credits) and listening to JR's live recordings of the song from the late 70's on, that was the same instrumentation as the "1980" version
James
If you're an Elvis Fan no explanation is necessary.
If you're not, no explanation is possible:
Jerry's guitar work (albeit not the original guitar work) is still there. He played guitar on the '81 version.
I have always thought his 81 version had a "Smokey and the Bandit" guitar sound to it, similar to his guitar work on the songs he did for that movies soundtrack.
Ah, thanks for the correction. I probably should have picked up on that even if I hadn't read it.
I still don't care for it. I can appreciate that they tried to liven it up some -- make it more like the Comeback version in that respect -- but the end result doesn't do it for me.
It seems overdone and "unnatural"...On a number of songs from those sessions to my ears it seems apparent that they've been tampered with too much. Perhaps that can be chalked up to the technological limitations of the day, I don't know, but Elvis' vocal did not come out sounding right on most of them...and it's not just the pitch issue I mentioned with this song. It was just not very dynamic or clear. I'm glad it did well on the charts though.
A pity too that Felton died before its release.
...you won't forget me when I go.
the 68 special is my fav but you cant deny that the original is almost just as good,but like the others have said i like the rawness almost blusey feeling to the 68 spacial!!
It did have that sound to it...and that's one reason I enjoy it so much.
You're welcome....and I agree. This is one case (especially on some of the other tracks) where Felton screwing around with the songs didn't pay off.
I hope ya didn't mind me correctin' ya....
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