40 years since the American Sessions

[ehollier]

Another thing about Peter Guralnick. He spent over 11 years researching, interviewing, writing, editing and working in his two books about Elvis. This does not include the time that he spent while Elvis was alive writing reviews on his music and concerts.

Eleven years is a long time to spend working on one project. I do not know how long Goldman spent writing his book, but not much b/c the book was published within 5 years of Elvis death. I do not know how much time was spent on the other reputable works attributed to his life and career; however, I would imagine that after eleven years working on a particular subject, he would have checked, doubled checked and triple checked his facts.

[LtCarman]

Another thing about Peter Guralnick. He spent over 11 years researching, interviewing, writing, editing and working in his two books about Elvis. This does not include the time that he spent while Elvis was alive writing reviews on his music and concerts.

Eleven years is a long time to spend working on one project. I do not know how long Goldman spent writing his book, but not much b/c the book was published within 5 years of Elvis death. I do not know how much time was spent on the other reputable works attributed to his life and career; however, I would imagine that after eleven years working on a particular subject, he would have checked, doubled checked and triple checked his facts.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[rickb]

In my humble opinion the 1969 Memphis sessions produced some of the best songs by Elvis - or any singer - ever!

[LtCarman]

In my humble opinion the 1969 Memphis sessions produced some of the best songs by Elvis - or any singer - ever!

Yeah, "Any Day Now" is one of the best songs I have ever heard. Especially towards the end where he sings, "Don't fly away, my beautiful bird."

[Brian]

Another thing about Peter Guralnick. He spent over 11 years researching, interviewing, writing, editing and working in his two books about Elvis. This does not include the time that he spent while Elvis was alive writing reviews on his music and concerts.

Eleven years is a long time to spend working on one project. I do not know how long Goldman spent writing his book, but not much b/c the book was published within 5 years of Elvis death. I do not know how much time was spent on the other reputable works attributed to his life and career; however, I would imagine that after eleven years working on a particular subject, he would have checked, doubled checked and triple checked his facts.

I don't mind explaining to everyone why I think Guralnick is overrated
but this isn't a thread about him

so I'll discuss it at another time

[laura17]

the american sessions are the best. close are the elvis is back..post army sessions

[rocknroll]

I don't mind explaining to everyone why I think Guralnick is overrated
but this isn't a thread about him

so I'll discuss it at another time

Appreciate it.

[Brian]

So what do you see as the top album by Elvis from 68 on?
If this is just "another album"- if the 69 sessions were just typical Elvis sessions-and the singing, production, and material were just another album I must have listened to something else, The world must have listened to something else, the critics must have listened to something else. IMO


.

I think one reason everybody thinks so highly of the Memphis sessions is because Elvis had recorded so much bad material before then. If he had recorded better material throughout the decade I don't think it would be rated as highly.

I don't think Elvis made any great albums in the 70's

he made a couple of good one's, some average and bad one's

I view Elvis as a singles artist

[kathy parkinson]

the american sessions are the best. close are the elvis is back..post army sessions

Agre with that, but, the other way round for me.

[Getlo]

Two points:

1. The 1969 sessions are, virtually unarguably, the finest Elvis ever recorded. Mainly because the sessions saw him exploding from almost total obscurity to reclaim his place at the top of the music tree. The sessions didn't have the same impact as the first 50s work, but the explosion was almost deafening, helped along by his resurgence in '68. A pity that the creativity and energy didn't last long after that. And an even greater pity Chips Moman wasn't brought in ever again.

2. Guralnick's two-volume biography on Elvis, Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love, together are unquestionably the finest Elvis Presley biography written to date. It will be a long, long time before anything equals or surpasses these excellent tomes.

[memphis69]

The whole production of these sessions was top class. Elvis working under Chips Moman and with a crew of excellent backing musicians created a musical masterpiece. These recordings are a mixture of blues,soul and country demonstrating just what a versatile artisit Elvis was. He once again crosses musical boundaries to sing songs that come direct from his soul and into your heart.

[jak]

From Elvis In Memphis is a masterpiece IMO.If anything I dont think it gets enough praise when judged against other lp's by other artists.That body of work shows Elvis at his most passionate best.He put everything into it.To me the vocals are from another world.I didnt know anybody could sound that good.When Elvis cared about the material he was performing,he always delivered the goods and the results were usually spectacular.Those sessions were no exception.Breathtaking to say the least.
Elvis Country would be his last good lp.I would agree that Elvis didnt create any good studio lp's after that.Enjoyable yes,great no.

[kathy parkinson]

Two points:

1. The 1969 sessions are, virtually unarguably, the finest Elvis ever recorded. Mainly because the sessions saw him exploding from almost total obscurity to reclaim his place at the top of the music tree. The sessions didn't have the same impact as the first 50s work, but the explosion was almost deafening, helped along by his resurgence in '68. A pity that the creativity and energy didn't last long after that. And an even greater pity Chips Moman wasn't brought in ever again.

2. Guralnick's two-volume biography on Elvis, Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love, together are unquestionably the finest Elvis Presley biography written to date. It will be a long, long time before anything equals or surpasses these excellent tomes.

My favourite album as always been ''Elvis Is Back'', apart from that Getlo

[utmom2008]

Two points:

1. The 1969 sessions are, virtually unarguably, the finest Elvis ever recorded. Mainly because the sessions saw him exploding from almost total obscurity to reclaim his place at the top of the music tree. The sessions didn't have the same impact as the first 50s work, but the explosion was almost deafening, helped along by his resurgence in '68. A pity that the creativity and energy didn't last long after that. And an even greater pity Chips Moman wasn't brought in ever again.

2. Guralnick's two-volume biography on Elvis, Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love, together are unquestionably the finest Elvis Presley biography written to date. It will be a long, long time before anything equals or surpasses these excellent tomes.

Agreed on both counts!

From Elvis In Memphis is a masterpiece IMO.If anything I dont think it gets enough praise when judged against other lp's by other artists.That body of work shows Elvis at his most passionate best.He put everything into it.To me the vocals are from another world.I didnt know anybody could sound that good.When Elvis cared about the material he was performing,he always delivered the goods and the results were usually spectacular.Those sessions were no exception.Breathtaking to say the least.
Elvis Country would be his last good lp.I would agree that Elvis didnt create any good studio lp's after that.Enjoyable yes,great no.

Agreed Jak! And it's good to see you stranger!

[Brian]

From Elvis In Memphis is a masterpiece IMO.If anything I dont think it gets enough praise when judged against other lp's by other artists.That body of work shows Elvis at his most passionate best.He put everything into it.

you make a good point

Dusty in Memphis gets a lot more praise

[SleepyJack]

Two points:

1. The 1969 sessions are, virtually unarguably, the finest Elvis ever recorded. Mainly because the sessions saw him exploding from almost total obscurity to reclaim his place at the top of the music tree. The sessions didn't have the same impact as the first 50s work, but the explosion was almost deafening, helped along by his resurgence in '68. A pity that the creativity and energy didn't last long after that. And an even greater pity Chips Moman wasn't brought in ever again.

2. Guralnick's two-volume biography on Elvis, Last Train To Memphis and Careless Love, together are unquestionably the finest Elvis Presley biography written to date. It will be a long, long time before anything equals or surpasses these excellent tomes.

I`m almost in total agreement with you here..even if the little voice in my head is fighting between `56 and `69 on the greatest recordings. Also, from the beginning of his books he himself admits the difficulties of writing a "definitive" biography of Elvis presley and that we would probably never see one until all the people involved in the story were long since gone. I`ve not read anything that surpasses him...yet!

[easyrider]

The 1969 MEMPHIS Sessions is best music........

[KPM]

I think one reason everybody thinks so highly of the Memphis sessions is because Elvis had recorded so much bad material before then. If he had recorded better material throughout the decade I don't think it would be rated as highly.

I don't think Elvis made any great albums in the 70's

he made a couple of good one's, some average and bad one's

I view Elvis as a singles artist

Great is a relative term and your great may mean one thing someone elses-who likes a differing style, or type of music great would be something else.
I see Elvis as not a singles artist-but a musical artist. No matter the mode of delivering the music.

[Brian]

Great is a relative term and your great may mean one thing someone elses-who likes a differing style, or type of music great would be something else.
I see Elvis as not a singles artist-but a musical artist. No matter the mode of delivering the music.

you asked for my opinion so I gave it

[Diane]

The music Elvis recorded in '69 and the 70's are definitely my favorites. He had grown tremendously as an artist and it showed.

Diane