Elvis playing the guitar..

[EnigmaticSun]

Please people, help me out!

I would like to know.. on what songs did Elvis play the guitar? Afaik, he played the guitar on 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' and 'That's Allright Mama' in the 'EIC' special from 1977. Did he also play it on songs like CC Rider and I Got A Woman?

Could somebody please give me a list of Elvis songs with him playing the guitar? I like Elvis from the 70's very much, but if one of you has suggestions about earlier work with guitarplaying (the '68 comeback special was great, for example), please let me know!

Does anyone know about good Elvis tabs for guitar?

How do you guys feel about his ability to play this istrument? I remember Johnny Cash admiring Elvis for his rhytm' guitar capability and stating he wished that Elvis played it more often. Well, Elvis played the guitar up to 1977, so I guess he loved doing it.

I hope someone is able to help me out with my questions..!

[NEA]

Hi there,

Elvis obviously used a basic 3 or 4, maybe even 5, chord technique when he played rythmn on his first Sun recordings - it was essential to that 'Rockabilly' sound. Plus, they were the only chords he had learned to accompany himself on guitar since a very young age.

I personally feel that Elvis did progress as a guitarist over a fourteen year period but because of all the movies in the 1960's period most of his basic guitar work was confined to miming on a studio soundstage. In 1968, with the dawn of the classic Comeback Special, the sit-down shows were very much an eye-opener because nobody had ever seen Elvis play his guitar with such conviction, apart from his bass-rythmn licks on his early TV Shows. At this point, I am reminded of one his most raw rythmn guitar-strumming techniques used on the raucous performance of "Money Honey" on one of the final Dorsey Shows - fantastic! But, the 68 Comeback linked into his Vegas 69 Comeback to the concert circuit and the wonderful blues of "Baby, What You Want Me To Do" - a stool and an electric guitar was primarily needed for this. This raises a question of my own, which is: During this segment did Elvis play electric rythmn on Del Shannon's "Runaway" as he did on the medley "Little Sister"/"Get Back"?

In the studio, I do believe that Elvis was playing acoustic guitar on other songs such as "Shoppin' Around", "Like A Baby", "Reconsider Baby". The later sessions include "From A Jack To A King", "Stranger In My Own Home Town", "If I'm a Fool (For Lovin' You)" and a number of studio rehearsals for "Elvis-That's The Way It Is". Plus, he played electric rythmn on these rehearsal jam sessions too.There are possibly a number of other songs too from this period and I'm sure the other fans will point these out or even correct myself in some of the songs that I've mentioned. Finally, "Blue Christmas" springs to mind as another classic number that EP played acoustic rythmn on between 1957 & 1977, both live and in the studio.

I can't recollect EP ever playing guitar on "C.C. Rider" or "I Got A Woman". I think whilst he was singing "C.C." at the start of his live shows in the seventies he might have adopted a simple 3-chord technique to strum along to on James Burton's lead instrumental parts. And, whilst EP was no Hendrix or Clapton, he did symbolize the guitar as an essential image of rock music in his stage show.

A classic quote: "There's been a big change in the music field in the last ten or twelve years...and, I think everythings improved - the sounds have improved, the musicians have improved and the engineers have certainly improved..." - EP, Burbank, 1968.


I hope this helps.

Cheers,

NEA.

[waymore44]

From my memory Elvis played on many recordings
Some that immediately come to mind are

SUN RECORDINGS: almost all of them
some of the '56 recordings: Blue Suede Shoes, I Got A Woman..etc
some '57 recordings: One Night, Blue Christmas etc..
Elvis Is Back: Like A Baby, Reconsider Baby, I Will Be Home Again
'61: His Latest Flame
'68 Special
Memphis Sessions: From A Jack To A King, If I'm A Fool
'69 - '70 Vegas: Baby What You Want, Runaway, Mystery Train
Elvis Country '70: Little Cabin Home, Hundred Years From Now

Other than some informal recordings I don't think he ever played on any more records until the Elvis In Concert special.

[Leroy]

In the '50's, the early '60's and the '70's Elvis played accoustic guitar on almost all his recordings, at least on the ballads. Although many people believe Elvis faked a lot (guitar-wise) he was a much better player than everyone gives him credit for. At one point during the Jailhouse Rock sessions his bass player Bill Black became frustrated because he couldn't play a certain line on his new electric bass guitar. So Elvis took over and managed. The bass line on "Baby I Don't Care" is Elvis. And that was pretty early in his career.

During the live versions of "See, See Rider" and "I Got A Woman" the guitar was more a symbol than a playing instrument. In "In Concert" he even made an ironic remark about it saying: "I'm actually goin' to play the guitar. I know three chords, believe it or not. I faked it all for a long time."
That was just his way of playing with the image. And then he started playing. Mostly in E, A, B. He wasn't a show off about his guitar abillities. He didn't have to because he knew his voice was his strongest point.

[NEA]

That's right - I forgot about "One Night" and I don't mean the electrifyingly raucous '68 Comeback live versions - the original 1957 studio version...that is 'The King' on lead guitar on this classic.

Cheers,

NEA.

[EnigmaticSun]

Yes, the voice was his strongest point! Even when unable to articulate words, the singing voice was still there. I remember an occasion in the 70's with Elvis introducing James Burton to the audience - El' stutters a bit while trying to do this (he said something like: on the l-l-l-lead guitar from Shreveport Louisiana..)!

As far as I know, Elvis also played the guitar on the '76 and '77 versions of Reconsider Baby. There are '77 versions of One Night as well, did he play the guitar on these occasions?

I also hear a guitar on one of his gospel recordings (Milky White Way) - is this true and if so, is Elvis the player?

About his 70's ballads: did he really play the guitar while recording one of these songs (I believe somebody made that statement)?

In some earlier periods of his life I also see his abilities - for example: he also played guitar in King Creole, Love Me Tender and Flaming Star, if my information is correct. I don't know exactly if the sound of this guitar playing is the same as you can hear in the movie, or did they just use a studio recording for these occasions?

Didn't Elvis also play the guitar at home in '73? I thought he sang and played 'Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do' - there were some other songs too, though I don't know if these were accompanied by guitar.

Please correct me if i'm wrong with any statement.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I'll just speak to that last part.

Yes, that was Elvis accompanying himself on guitar during those songs recorded at the Thompson family home in '73. I thought his playing sounded pretty good there. In fact, I believe he got into a little finger-pickin' on Rocky Top (instrumental).

See See Rider, That's All Right, Spanish Eyes, Baby What You Want Me To Do*, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry*, and a couple of Linda's school songs were among the songs performed.

This informal "session" is also when the hilarious Ode To A Robin poem was recited by Elvis. (Look it up if you haven't heard it.)

This material is highly recommended listening, for the material itself and the insider's perspective it provides, as well as for the rarity of home recordings from the 70s.

* - Recently saw official release on the Elvis By The Presleys CD.

[waymore44]

You're right about Milky White Way. You can always tell when Elvis is the one strumming because it has a quality to it that is unlike anyone else. That's not Elvis on guitar in King Creole. I suppose you were referring to the intro to King Creole and the solo that he acts like he's playing. That is Scotty Moore's electric not Elvis's J200. Lover Doll is the other one that comes to mind but that's not Elvis playing either. Also, it's not Elvis in Love Me Tender or Flaming Star.

I know of no Elvis ballads that have him playing guitar in the '70's, other than when he was on stage or an informal recording like was mentioned from '73, but I may forgetting.

A good rule of thumb, whenever the song is in E and you hear, the notes A-A#-B-E (the lick in Blue Christmas, One Night) you know it's Elvis. I think it's about the only lick he knew. Being a guitar player myself and learning from those old Elvis records and watching the '68 Special, it was one of the first licks I learned.

[NEA]

Hi Guys,

It would have been great to see Elvis pull up a stool on stage during his last year of touring and perform the same kind of acoustic jams that he did at the Thompson's pad in '73.

It would have been great for him to strap on an electric and perform "Runaway", "One Night" & "Baby, What You Want Me To Do" as an ode to his early Vegas days.

Who knows, perhaps creatively that's what 'The King' was heading towards? Afterall, he was paying the guitar a little more attention in the final year by performing "That's Allright Mama", "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", "Blue Christmas", and "Reconsider Baby". Plus, the piano was also getting quite a bit of attention at a number of shows in 1977. I think, creatively, songs were developing more into the stage show that highlighted Elvis' musicianship.

What do you reckon guys?

This is a good thread, by the way!

NEA.

[EnigmaticSun]

Thank you Waymore, for that information about Elvis playing the guitar. Is Elvis really acting like he's playing the guitar in King Creole? It seemed like he was really playing the higher solo notes, but you may be right anyway.

Thank you for that lick, if you know what I mean. I'm also a guitar player and I appreciate you giving me that piece of information. Does any of you guys know more Elvis tabs/licks?

I think Elvis' body was suited for playing the bigger Western guitars, he had pretty big and strong hands - I play a Western acoustic steel string guitar myself and it works out pretty well, though I would have loved to have longer fingers. My hands are pretty ****' strong, but maybe longer fingers would be an advantage for guitarists.

Elvis was a kind of an inspiration to me. I also like to play the style which goes something like this (not exactly, but to give an indication):

A:2-2-4-4-5-5 D:2-2-4-4-5-5
E:0-0-0-0-0-0 A:0-0-0-0-0-0

Also using the well known Delta Blues chords:

A:2-2-4-4 + D:2-2-4-4 + B7 chord
E:0-0-0-0 A:0-0-0-0

I also learnt to play Johnny Cash's 'I Walk The Line' by using these kind of combinations!

I also know the standard chords from songs like That's Allright Mama and Are You Lonesome Tonight, chords such as: Cmajor, Aminor, Amajor, Dmajor, Dminor, Emajor (sometimes with added septet note or G, for instance in Heartbreak Hotel and Tiger Man)

[Lonniebealestreet]

Who knows, perhaps creatively that's what 'The King' was heading towards? Afterall, he was paying the guitar a little more attention in the final year by performing "That's Allright Mama", "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", "Blue Christmas", and "Reconsider Baby". Plus, the piano was also getting quite a bit of attention at a number of shows in 1977. I think, creatively, songs were developing more into the stage show that highlighted Elvis' musicianship.

Elvis '77...Something For Everybody!

Though part of it could be that Elvis wasn't as active on stage towards the end and playing instruments more was a way to make up for it (and an excuse not to be all over the stage), he genuinely loved playing the guitar and piano and wanted to show the crowd that he was a well-rounded musician.

Again acknowledging other reasons for this, I think the extended intros/solos of the band during this period were due in part to his wanting to showcase the talents of his bandmembers, and he probably thought his audiences dug those segments as much as he did.

I think all of this speaks to Elvis' musicianship, in terms of both his own talents and his "ear" or "feel" for the music.

I don't know a whole lot about guitar or piano playing, but most of what I've heard from Elvis sounds rather good and also in a style that's distinctly his own.

Enigmatic, if I recall correctly, during that solo in King Creole in which you see a close-up of the guitar playing and not Elvis' face, that was a separate take in which Scotty put on Elvis' shirt and took care of that part.

[EnigmaticSun]

(the story)

You're right there, NEA - Elvis could also play the piano. He played it live on songs like Unchained Melody, You'll Never Walk Alone, Rags To Riches and Where No One Stands Alone. Of course Elvis wasn't the best guitarist or pianoplayer in the entire world but still good enough to be impressive! It shows just how diverse and versatile he was as a musical genius. It's true that Elvis was giving more attention to his instrument playing during his last year - so he was definitely not over the hill yet!!

I know the following is a fantasy, but imagine Elvis giving a concert with these songs, performing them with a guitar:

CC Rider, I Got A Woman, Love Me, Trying To Get To You, That's Allright, One Night, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Reconsider Baby, Runaway, Baby What Do You Want Me To Do + piano playing on: Unchained Melody, Rags To Riches, Where No One Stands Alone, You'll Never Walk Alone - maybe he could have done Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain as well.. (wish)

[EnigmaticSun]

Elvis '77...Something For Everybody!

Thanks for that explanation - it seemed to be Scotty's style in King Creole and so it was, I guess

[U.S. Male]

One thing we need to remember is the times Elvis played guitar during the 1969 Las Vegas comeback.

If you listen on the cd's, you can hear him strumming (at least near the beginning) of All Shook Up, plus he starts the song Mystery Train/Tigerman off by an acoustic strumming bit as well. I have noticed on some of the old 8mm films I have from this engagement that Elvis played the guitar a good bit more than he ever would between 69 - 77. I've also had the opportunity to speak with a guy who attended a show in 1969, and he told me Elvis played guitar (acoustic and electric) on numerous songs during this time.

[NEA]

Hi Big Boss Man,

It's nice to know wee tidbits of information like this regarding Elvis' comeback engagement in 1969. I wish these kind of things were more well-documented about how often Elvis actually played an instrument.

There is actually a b/w photo of Elvis from Vegas, Feb. 1970 playing the electric guitar whilst standing up...he is wearing one of the white tapestry suits, and I presume he is possibly singing "Runaway"??

Cheers,

NEA.

[NEA]

This is the very pic I'm talking about!

[waymore44]

What a great photo!

He's doing an E chord in the pic. He could have just been getting ready to play a song and just hit the first chord that almost every guitar player hits. It's really impossible to know what he was playing. He very well could have been playing Runaway because there is an E chord in it. I do know that Runaway was actually recorded in 1969 although it first appeared on the "On Stage: Feb 1970" album. I'm not sure if he was still playing the song in 1970 or not. It looks as though that pic is from Feb 1970. To speculate it could have also been:

Baby What You Want Me To Do
One Night
Funny How Time Slips Away
Little Sister
Reconsider Baby

To go back to the 1977 EIC comments he made about his own guitar playing:
He really was full of it and really downplaying his talent on guitar. He says he knows "3 chords believe it or not". Well that's obviously not true because in That's All Right and Are You Lonesome Tonight alone he does 10.

BTW this is a great thread.

[U.S. Male]

Have any of you listened to C.C. Rider on the FTD cd Polk Salad Annie? If you listen just before he begins singing the song, he tells the audience to "look at the guitar". I am willing to bet that he played electric guitar during that song, based on those comments.

[NEA]

Does anybody know if Elvis ever stated to his audience his most favourite guitar he liked to play on or off stage?

Plus, does anybody reading this thread have any favourite 'Elvis' guitars?

Cheers,

NEA.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Any of the Gibson J-200's--my favorite, that is...but Elvis would probably say the same, if I had to guess. That is by far the 'sexiest' guitar ever made.

And that is indeed a great photo, NEA!

You're welcome, Enigmatic. I can't remember if that was King Creole or Hard Headed Woman that I'm thinking of, but on some video or another Scotty explains what they did there. I think the fact that Elvis' face is not in that shot is a little telltale anyway.