ElvisNews.com: Promised Land

Promised Land

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, Jan 8, 2012

With a little delay I present you my view on FTD’s classic album version of Promised Land.

Design

As usual the presentation is top notch. The booklet is very complete with background information on the sessions, but also the time from recording to releasing the album. These facts are decorated with candids, live shots and a lot of memorabilia.

Content

Although the general public more or less turned away from Elvis at the time the album deserved more in my opinion. Of course it contains the usual country tracks, but compared to Elvis’ other 70’s albums it has much more variation with pure rock’n’roll in the title track and soulful pop songs like Thinking About You and If You Talk In Your Sleep.

This FTD’s first CD has not the usual setup of the album and early takes on the first disc. CD 1 brings the original album and an alternate with session highlights and even more session highlights.

Partly released before, but all together this CD is a topper in my book: Elvis enjoying his music in perfect sound quality.
CD 2 has the sub title of “The Making Of”. It’s a mixture of rehearsals, outtakes and undubbed masters. It’s obvious that Elvis was having a pretty good time in the Stax studios in December 1973, much better than in the summer of that year. He is fooling around a lot: changing lyrics, singing with ridiculous voices. In other words if you want background music this isn’t the one to listen to, but if you want to enjoy the fun… it certainly is.

Conclusion

Without a doubt this one is in my Top 5… and looking at the Top 40 I’m not the only one.

Tracklist:

Promised Land
There's a Honky Tonk Angel
Help Me
Mr. Songman
Love Song of the Year
It's Midnight
Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming
If You Talk in Your Sleep
Thinking about You
You Asked Me To
Promised Land (Take 4)
There's a Honky Tonk Angel (Takes 3, 2, 7)
Help Me (Take 1, undubbed master)
Mr. Songman (Take 2)
Love Song of the Year (Take 1)
It's Midnight (Take 9)
Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming (Take 10)
If You Talk in Your Sleep (Take 5)
Thinking about You (Take 4)
You Asked Me To (?)
Promised Land (Take 5)
Love Song of the Year (Take 7)
It's Midnight (Take 11)
Thinking about You (Takes 5, 6)
You Asked Me To (?)
It's Midnight (Takes 1-4, 8, 7)
You Asked Me To (?)
Mr. Songman (Take 1)
Thinking about You (Rehearsal)
Thinking about You (Take 3)
Promised Land (Takes 3, 2)
Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming (Takes 2, 3)
Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming (Take 4)
There's a Honky Tonk Angel (Take 1)
Love Song of the Year (Rehearsal)
Love Song of the Year (Take 2)
It's Midnight (Take 10)
If You Talk in Your Sleep (Takes 6, 7, 8)
Mr. Songman (Takes 3, 6)
Love Song of the Year (Takes x, y, 8 (undubbed master))
You Asked Me To (Take 3B (4 ?))
There's a Honky Tonk Angel (Takes ?)
It's Midnight (Takes 15, 16)
Promised Land (Take 6 undubbed master)
Thinking about You (?)
Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming (Take 8)
Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming (Take 9)

Give Your Opinion

Reactions

GEORGE (GK) (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 22, 2012report abuse

I agree, musically, its one of the best Elvis albums, of the 70s, with one of the worst photos, of Elvis Presley, on an album cover. (but its not the worst, that honor goes to the "Girls,Girls,Girls"-Soundtrack album cover) With all the great photos of Elvis in the "Peacock Jumpsuit", why the record company, chose this photo, I just don't know? If RCA RECORDS were to re-release this album on a Legacy series CD, which I hope, they do !! I really hope, they select a better photo. (like what was done with the "Aloha from Hawaii" album cover, when it was re-released on CD) And move the original album photo, to an inside photo, as a reference to the original Album cover. Some years back, RCA re-released the "Promised Land CD" and the sound mix, was greatly improved. Probably the best sounding of all the 70s album re-releases. Since then I believe the CD has been discontinued in the United States. So this CD, is due, for a re-release, in retail stores and on Amazon, etc.

Orion (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 8, 2012report abuse

I admit to being one of the big mouths that have been wailing about this one taking so long to be released on FTD. Due to some bizarre circumstances, this one finally arrived. Was it worth the delay in arriving (not to mention FTDs random release order). OMG ! This one is simply magnificent. The sound on these tracks on my headphones is breathtaking. I understand why Lex was so brief on his review. Who the hell has the words to adequately describe this one ? The composite of There's a Honky Tonk Angel (Takes 3, 2, 7) is as fascinating as it is gorgeous. It's always been a favorite of mine, but this is like a new unheard Master. Vic & Sebastian are to be commended for their efforts on this one. There are too many highlights to mention. I've got to send this so I can get back to the music. Top 5 - you bet your sweet %$$ it is.

Polk Salad Robert (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 6, 2012report abuse

Finally I received my copy last week,and I agree with most of you : this really is a fantastic FTD and I am sure it will soon hit the TOP 5. For me its even number one for my next voting. Especially "Love Song Of the Year" turned it to FTD of the year !!!

claunath82 (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 30, 2012report abuse

Great sound and some very nices outtakes, the digipack cover is ok but the booklet cover and some pictures inside are bad and out of original album art, that is because i give a 4/5 and not 5/5 but it is a great ftd classic ...thanks

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 20, 2012report abuse

i,ve seen other photos from this period and he definitely was packing extra lbs around the waist, saying that depending on the angle, he was still as handsome as ten movie stars. It would be nice to think that he chose the photo himself as a kind of statement to the public, saying here i am, bigger and better than ever, take me as i am. Of course we know that is not true, once Elvis exited the studio, he couldn't give a toss what picture they used on his albums, saying that the Raised on Rock cover is one of his best 70's lp covers, captures him in full flight. I always liked the Aloha artwork, especially the cutout version with all the different languages. The covers were always impressive, its Elvis, for God's sake, the back of the sleeves were always disappointing, just ads for other great Elvis lps. Thankfully things have improved over the years with these cd releases. This is a great album but i still prefer Today, for Pieces of my Life alone. One of his most honest songs.

Deano1 (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 19, 2012report abuse

While still not a true classic, this LP is much more deserving of the "classic" title than "Good Times", "Today" or "Raised On Rock". A nice eclectic mix of songs make up this LP, but I always felt the A-side after the awesome title track was mediocre. The B-side is far superior. As far as the LP cover, I like it. Elvis looks happy and the peacock suit is anything but awful. As a matter of fact, I was recently engaged to a lady who was not a big Elvis fan when we met and she picked this suit out as her favorite Elvis jumpsuit. The cover may not be original, but they gave us what we wanted in the 70's a nice picture of Elvis. My vote for least favorite cover is "Good Times".

Steve V (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 17, 2012report abuse

Elvis Country was the last LP to have any imagination in its art work. After that they all looked like Camdens or worse. Even Aloha was ridiculous with the cutouts and the unflattering picture of Elvis on the cover. He looked great in that show so of course they used something else. RCA & The Col, a match made in money heaven.

Natha (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 17, 2012report abuse

DGirl is quite right re: artwork. Obviously RCA did not employ great artists for the design of Elvis albums. Maybe because they knew these would sell anyway. By the way most covers of artists are mediocre or just plain. It is not that easy to come up with a new idea. And when you do, it is quickly copied by others. The cd cover of 'Aloha from Hawaii' with the cut out letters has been copied several times, i.e. But as a matter of fact in those days, being a young man, I hardly noticed that. I bought the album and carefully put it away. As Lefty wrote: it is all about the music. This FTD version did supply us with an interesing booklet and that makes up for the artwork. It is always interesting to listen how a song developed. Job well done FTD.

Lefty (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 17, 2012report abuse

This is such a great album, though I'm sticking with the standard release CD that includes 10 bonus songs. FTD's multiple takes and snippets don't do much for me, though I understand why some fans want all that. dgirl's comment on the poor album artwork is right on the mark. I clearly remember buying LP's from many different artists in that day, and the album covers were pieces of art. Take a look at Elton John's or Gerry Rafferty's album covers from the 70's and you'll see what I mean. Elvis albums looked like billboards more than anything else. No matter, the music is what counts, then and now.

dgirl (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 17, 2012report abuse

It may be the worst album cover ever with Elvis looking ridiculous in that awful peacock suit. Yes it is a minor issue, but there should have been more thought in the packaging and artwork for ELvis albums. They were the worst in the industry for the 70's, especially for a big star like ELvis. He probably didnt care anymore though.

Monster (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 16, 2012report abuse

Superb. One of my very favourite Elvis albums. His last truly committed album recordings I feel with some great songs, pasionate performances with both rockers and ballads present. Great to have so many fun outtakes and alternate versions available. My only quibble is with the original album artwork. Terrible picture of Elvis which makes him look fatter than he was around this time. Not saying it should be changed but it's always been a minor issue for me.

Ton Bruins (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 16, 2012report abuse

language issue...? Don't understand really...

NorwayElvis (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 14, 2012report abuse

Take 1 of "Promised Land" is missing due to language issue......as confirmed by one of the producers. We have it on bootleg in great sound but I wish the undubbed master was complete without fadeout

Ton Bruins (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 13, 2012report abuse

One of the best releases of FTD, although take 1 of "Promised Land" is missing for what ever reason...

Jerome (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 13, 2012report abuse

Fantastic eleborate review..

tigerpawl (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 11, 2012report abuse

Excellent review. Promised Land has always been one of my favorites. This Ftd release makes the original even better. Its always good to hear Elvis cutting up and laughing. His laughter had to be contagious.

boppin bob (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 9, 2012report abuse

Absolutely love this album. Elvis was in high spirits on the run up to Christmas 73 and it comes through in the performances on this album a joy to listen to. Dont forget Promised Land as a single made the top ten in Britain in 1974.

You Dont Know Me (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 9, 2012report abuse

Excellent Review Lex and this is a top 5 album in my books too! I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing every single track from this FTD release and the studio 'Fun' makes this CD for me!~

ranskal (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 8, 2012report abuse

My favorite album!

Rob Wanders (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 8, 2012report abuse

indeed a wonderful product from FTD. higlights enough: its midnight, promised land, thinking about you, love song of the year. And what a superb soundquality. Finally i could understand our man in every song. Specially on the song "Love song of the year" i didnt had a clue what he was singing sometimes, but now I do! Its a great double-cd. Now I also understand that he just echoed the words "wanting you' in the first line of Its midnight. In the first takes he's just singing it once. Actually now I prefer it without the echo, the repeating of the same words doesnt add something, but ok who cares with such a great great great song :-)