Are Stax the best sessions?

[dennyelvis]

At the moment i have the 2cd set of the Stax sessions in my hi-fi ....
and wow it just brought home how good these sessions are

Could they be better than the Today or Jungle room sessions
man its a close call .... or what about the legendary Memphis sessions ? ...
displayed beautifull on the FTD release

so come on u guys .... what do u think were his best sessions ... for me i think Stax just gets it .... just

[Leroy]

Personally I think the June 1970 sessions are the best. Over 30 songs in just a couple of days. Although some awesome songs got recorded during the Stax sessions the atmosphere in the studio was down because Elvis was down. After trying out a lot of songs some members of the band had other obligations so some of the Stax mucisians were brought in but they weren't able to play with Elvis because they got the nerves only for being in his presence. It got a little better during the December sessions of the same year.

[rockinrebel]

Whilst there are songs I like from the Stax, Today and Jungle Room Sessions, I wouldn’t say any of these were actually Elvis’ best recording session. The December Stax session was far more productive than the July sessions that produced the disappointing “Raised on Rock” album, but for me Elvis’ best/most productive sessions whilst with RCA are as follows:

March 1960 (“Elvis is Back” plus singles)
January - February 1969 (“From Elvis In Memphis”/”Back In Memphis” plus singles)
June 1970 (“That’s The Way It Is”/”Elvis Country”

[Sonny]

Each session is worthwhile I guess, but I guess the 1969 Memphis Sessions are the best ones.

Both musical and historical that January/February session gave us some of Elvis' best music and gave him the chance to really prove he was back on top again!
The 69 sessions give us some of the best, pure Elvis music!

However the most spontanious sessions must be the one from July 24th, 1970, probably never meant to be released.
That wonderful session was released by the Fort Baxter label on two cd's called: The Brightest Star On Sunset Boulevard.
Those recordings show Elvis at his rocking best!

Sonny

[rick]

I'd rate the second Stax session substantially in front of the first. The second would rate better than 1970 and the Jungle Room. Both would behind the 69 American Studios sessions.

[memphisblues]

For me the memphis sessions about top's it out, with 70s stuff running a very very close second and stax for me a third, although there are stand out tracks on both of these two. The jungle room sessions just seem to tug at differant heart strings for me but great for a listern when the moods right

[Captain Elwood David]

As far as I'm concerned, the '73 Stax recording sessions are quintessential EP spinning his magic, blending different types of music into one & making it into something of his own. The test of time is being very kind to this material. Then, & now, ..... it speaks from the heart & soul. Such is the essence of Elvis.

"Rhythm & Country" is a highly recommended CD to all fans (new & old).


- Capt. "EL."

[P.S. Annie]

My personal favourite are the '69 Memphis sessions

[Liverbobs]

June 70
Feb/ Oct 76
Jan/Feb 69
July/Dec 1973


not neccessarliy (sp?) in that order!

[kennyelvis]

As Capt. "EL." says : "Rhythm & Country" is a highly recommended CD to all fans (new & old).
But i would not rank the Stax sessions very high there are just to few super good songs, only a hand full good songs
But i love all the songs that was recorded in 73, but it will never beat the 69 session or the june 70 session.

[jeanno]

Although I?m a die-hard fan of the STAX sessions, I wouldn?t say these are EP best ever. SUN sessions and AMERICAN 69 are surely better. But I really appreciate the way he mixed genres in 1973 (blues, soul, rock, country, gospel) and the singles were pretty good.
One more thing : july sessions were not that bad. Think about I?VE GOT A THING ABOUT YOU BABY, JUST A LITTLE BIT, IF YOU DON?T COME BACK or FOR OL? TIMES SAKE!

[jbgude]

For me it is the Memphis 69 sessions.

jb

[Little Sister]

Although the Stax-sessions produced a few really good songs, it's not at all on my toplist.

My faves would probably be
Memphis '69 - everything is perfect, songs, voice, musician and spirit!!
Elvis Is Back '60 - "Elvis died in the army"-my a** LOL
Nashville '58 - Elvis showed everyone that the uniform didn't keep him from rocking.
TTWII - just beautiful!!

[MysteryTrain]

In my opinion there are two sessions that stands out from the rest.
January/February 69 and March 1960. There is only quality from these sessions, and not a bad song.I mean it, i cant find anyrhing weak from these sessions. And i never skip a track on the albums released from those sessions.

[JerryNodak]

Are the Stax sessions the best? In my opinion, no. But the material is an interesting mix of styles and I do enjoy most of the songs. I'm looking forward to FTD 7 inch version of this album which Ernst promises is in the works.

Mystery Train: You never skip any of the tracks from the Elvis Is Back sessions? Personally, I always skip "Girl Next Door Went 'A Walking". Ick!!

[MysteryTrain]

Are the Stax sessions the best? In my opiion, no. But the material is an interesting mix of styles and I do enjoy most of th songs. I'm looking forward to FTD 7 inch version of this album which Ernst promises is in the works.

Mystery Train: You never skip any of the tracks from the Elvis Is Back sessions? Personally, I always skip "Girl Next Door Went 'A Walking". Ick!!

Hey, i love that song. Its actually one of my favorites.So i would never skip the song.