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The American Way Volume 3 – Movin’ And Groovin’

By ElvisNews.com / Kees, April 07, 2007 | Music
Does volume three in this five CD series on Elvis’ legendary recordings at the American Sound Studio’s continue where the first two volumes ended?

Design

Like the first two volumes this edition comes in a sixties design, this time there is a link to the “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard” single through the picture of Elvis in the same shirt. On sixteen full color pages, packed with candid pictures and memorabilia, the history of the sessions and the tracks that were recorded is explained.

Content

This third volume in the “American Way” series continues the line of “sad” songs. Not too difficult at a studio housed at a ramshackle, run down building on 827 Thomas Street with “big ‘ol rats from the garbage truck next to the studio coming into the studio” as Reggie Young remembers it; the place for a King to lay down some of his best work.

From our “fly on the wall” perspective we join Elvis and the American Sound Studio band again for the recording of the five songs on this release. There is a bit more studio chatter between the tracks than on the previous two volumes, you clearly hear Elvis all present right away, both in the recording session as in the booth with Chip Moman. Everything is very open and direct with the "oops" and sorries" when someone messes up. It is so open that after 30 second into the CD we have the fist “cocksucker” coming through the speakers. I haven’t checked the chatter from previous releases of this material for any "cuts in time", but I get the feeling I’m listening to the tape that just rolled along with the recording at hand.

Apparently Elvis recorded “If I'm A Fool (For Loving You)” as a gesture to his father as he liked the song. It took Elvis nine takes to record this song. His version isn’t far off from the version with which the American Sound Studio keyboard player Bobby Wood had a regional hit with it with the author Stan Kesler.

One of my all time personal favorites “Long Black Limousine” was the first cut Elvis recorded at the American Sound Studio. The throat infection Elvis had was a blessing in disguise for a tearjerker like this. The organ makes it sound like the song was recorded in a church in stead of a “rat infested run down building”. Too bad he only needed eight takes to record this song, I can keep listening to this session on this release.

The country like “Any Day Now” was recorded in six takes. It is just a “big ol’ train”, when this song starts it just keeps on going due to the insistent bass line. On the sixth take Elvis and the band finalize their version which, with additional duly overlaid with some great brass arrangements, makes it to the b-side of the “In The Ghetto” single.

“And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” is the second Neil Diamond song Elvis recorded, the other is “Sweet Caroline”. Neil Diamond actually cut his version of “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” in the same studio. While “Sweet Caroline” is an up-tempo song this songs is more laid back. Just like “Any Day Now” the very continues baseline keeps this song rolling along, exactly what it needs. You can hear the band search for the same flow in the takes we get to deliver the final product, correcting each other when one of them flows away.

Listening to the five sessions on this release you clearly get a good insight in the sound of the American Sound Studio. Again the audio on this release is very good; “If I'm A Fool” and “Long Black Limousine” come in mono while the other three tracks are presented in stereo. As for the tracks themselves, nothing new except some studio chatter, but - again - I haven't checked the chatter on previous releases of this material. It is the compilation of the available material that counts.

Conclusion

After the first two volumes in this series this third volume confirms this series is an essential addition to any collection (and a blessing for those who missed out on classic bootlegs like “American Crown Jewels”, “Finding The Way Home” and "American Rejects"). Hopefully volume four is just around the corner. Perhaps it is an idea for the Follow That Dream label to release a complete recording session over the span over of three to four releases per year.

Track listing:

01 If I'm A Fool - takes 1, 2 (rehearsal + false start + "Am I That Easy To Forget" one line + long false start)
02 If I'm A Fool - take 3 (complete take)
03 If I'm A Fool - takes 4, 5, 6 (long false start + false start + long false start)
04 If I'm A Fool - takes 7, 8 (2x false start)
05 Long Black Limousine - takes 1, 2 (rehearsal + false start + long false start)
06 Long Black Limousine - takes 3-5 (3x false start)
07 Long Black Limousine - takes 6-8 (complete take + 2x false start)
08 It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin' - take 1 (long false start with edited intro + "Only The Lonely" one line)
09 It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin' - take 2 (complete take + false start)
10 It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin' - take 3 (complete master take)
11 Any Day Now - take 1 (false start + long false start + rehearsal)
12 Any Day Now - take 2 (complete take + rehearsal)
13 Any Day Now - take 3 (6x false start + long false start)
14 Any Day Now - take 4 (7x false start + long false start + workpart)
15 Any Day Now - take 5 (2x false start + long false start)
16 Any Day Now - take 6 (unrepaired master take with edited intro)
17 And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind - takes 1, 2 (rehearsal + false start + long false start)
18 And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind - takes 3, 4 (2x long false start)
19 And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind - take 5 (false start + long false start)
20 And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind - take 6 (false start + complete master take)

Tracks 01-07 mono, tracks 08-20 stereo.
Greg Nolan wrote on April 08, 2007
Nice review, Kees! The first two volumes are must-haves with a quality that only a legendary import label can muster! Great sound, great artwork, great liner notes and photos. I'm really looking forward to this third volume. No hard-core Elvis fan should be without this set. This is on the short-list of essential imports. Don't pass it up, folks!
Natha wrote on April 08, 2007
These (and all the other session) takes are indeed very interesting as they show us how the famous music of the King came to be. All these type of CDs I appreciate. However - referring to the uncensored remarks mentioned here - I would defintely NOT mind these so-called additional comments to be deleted as they contribute nothing to the listening, sometimes it distracts also. Appreciating the first two volumes I am looking forward to this release too.
Ciscoking wrote on April 09, 2007
Essential..in any case.
Iron Man wrote on April 09, 2007
I don't agree with Natha. The main idea of this series is to present it the way it was - no cutting, no edits. Personally I was lucky enough to own copies of previous unofficial releases with this material, so I will wait till FTD starts releasing complete sessions - I guess, the sound will be better. I trully enjoyed the review, just hope the package of FTDs version of these releases - I think they won't loose the oportunity to make a buck on this material as well - will be of the same level. Ernst, try to understand what the fans really need!!!
Natha wrote on April 10, 2007
Iron Man, don't misunderstand me. I really do like all the normal comments. You rightly state that the discussions and remarks in between are an integral part of the artistic process. Moreover it makes you share in the joy they had! Just like when listening to a concert, the reactions and interactions with the audience are a big chunk of the overall experience of listening. All I meant to say is that I personally don't see the value of leaving rough language like c*r in and would appreciate if the editors follow Guideline #3 of this information site.
Der Henker wrote on April 10, 2007
I saw the entire series (volumes 1-6 individually and as a box) available at a market in London this weekend. Looking pretty good for content throughout.
Der Henker wrote on April 10, 2007
I suspected that.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 10, 2007
It doesnt add anything to the over all experiance to me,some people dont like nasty language and im one of them,i think in those moments he sounded like a kid who talks tough or dirty to try to fit in, i love the guy but those moments are some i could do without,sometimes its best to be a leader and not a follower!
pasa-ryu wrote on April 11, 2007
i managed to get volume 1 and 2 and i was blown away!-far better than ANY previous import releases to date!-i cannot wait to sit down and enjoy all the outtakes and studio banter from elvis..a must have collectors series for any elvis fan.)its worth the £15.99 alone for the rare picture you get in the excellant 16 page bokklet.
Joe Carr wrote on April 11, 2007
Excellent review Kees!
pasa-ryu wrote on April 24, 2007
i finaly recieved my copy from the sepurb 'now dig this' people and was over the moon in not only the xrated outtakes but really impressed with cd cover design and pics of the king!-rca/bmg should be ashamed of themselves in not releasing a collectors series as good as this is..i own the previous import album 'finding the way home' and methodically compared it track by track with this great release and have come to the conclusion that "the american way" series has alot more studio chat from elvis and chips moman than finding the way does!..all in all a true treasure chest of rareities and a sepurb colour booklet and collectors item that must be in any serious elvis fans cd collection..cherish it if you can get it.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 25, 2007
I said the same thing on vol 1&2, thats because it still applies to all 3 volumes and probally vol 4 &5 also,i like studio chatter but dont care for some of the language,and thats one of the reasons these sessions wont be released on ftd,and actually thats ok with me, more sessions from june 1970 would be my pick,of course everyone has there own favorites!
Scott Walker wrote on April 29, 2007
This is fantastic stuff! And the CD-R people are really missing out, because the booklet is just as good as the music, or nearly about! :) Just dig that photo of Elvis doing some mean karate movements, and he looks damn cool in that white suit on page 5 too. Bring on volume four!
MR61 wrote on May 08, 2007
If this is available as a 6 cd box set why is there only 5 single releases ?