From Elvis
Elvis Presley
From Elvis In Memphis (Legacy Edition)
As far as comeback records go, at least in the 60s, From Elvis In Memphis is essential listening - an amazing example of renewed creativity. As far as reissues of classic records go, From Elvis In Memphis is even more essential. Compiled by the great Legacy Edition brand, the Memphis reissue features not only the original tracklist, but much, much more. You get the follow-up record, Back From Memphis, which was recorded at the same time; you get four solid bonus tracks that folks have never heard; you get some top notch liner notes and packaging; and you get 10 singles recorded during the Memphis sessions. All together Legacy offers a stunning 36 tracks for about $15, only four of which are doubled up. Impressive.
So what then, you ask, does the core record sound like? Sounds like another Elvis Presley record, right? Not really. You have to look at what Elvis was doing in 1969 (as well as what the pop trends were of the time) to really appreciate Memphis. After years of being a rock star staple, Presley found himself working regularly on film through the mid- and late-60s. He was the celebrity of his time, and, at some point, seemed to forget what got him there - the music. So, in 1968, Elvis and his handlers set up a Christmas television special that both reminded people of his skill and introduced him to a new generation. The special was a hit, generating a live record and a huge renewal in interest in Elvis as a performer and recording artist. As a voice of his time.
And thus we has Memphis, the most critically loved record the man ever made. Recorded at American Sound Studio, the Memphis sessions were recorded just as the studio was getting attention from the national spotlight for their work on the just-released Dusty In Memphis. Needless to say, the two records go well together. The sound is full and dusty, Elvis and his session musicians focusing more on a country, gospel and soul sound than rock n’ roll or pop.
Look at the back of the From Elvis In Memphis reissue next time you’re in a record store. Hits, loads of them. The initial 12-song tracklist boasts six songs most radio listeners will know (even if they don’t realize it), the reissue at least another six (including some of Elvis’ best-known hits). Longtime rock n’ roll and country fans will recognize many on the list of songwriters and musicians who contributed. In a way, this is not just a classic Elvis studio record, but maybe the one Elvis record that non-fans of the man should own. I wouldn’t be surprised if half of the cuts on this very generous reissue end up in Tarantino films at some point. 9/10
Written by G. William Locke