In January & February 1969, Elvis entered the 'American Sound Studios' in Memphis and went
on to record some of his greatest work. Sony Music will release a deluxe version of "From Elvis In Memphis" to commemorate the anniversary of these recordings. This re-issue will include all 32 masters recorded at these sessions. The recordings have been remastered from the original album masters for optimum sound quality.
Ernst Jorgensen said to Elvis Unlimited that the idea for this re-issue is a deluxe boxset type with a nice booklet and maybe even a DVD. This release will not be released on the Follow That Dream collector's label but globally on the SONY / BMG label.
Update May 21, 2009:
EPE posted the following update on their site:
To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Elvis' historic American Studio session that resulted in "Suspicious Minds," "In the Ghetto" and "Kentucky Rain" among many others, Sony Music will release a deluxe version of From Elvis In Memphis, including all the 32 masters recorded at these sessions. These recordings have been remastered from the original album masters for optimum sound quality. More details on the release to come.
In honor of the anniversary and release, The Memphis Boys, who played with Elvis on the historic session, and joined by Ernst Jorgensen, will be on stage at Conversation on Elvis to share their memories of what went on during this amazing session.
The Memphis Boys, Bobby Emmons, Bobby Wood, Gene Chrisman, Mike Leech and Reggie Young, are a rhythm section whose professional careers began in and around Memphis in the early sixties. They played on more hit recordings at that time during a six month period than any other studio rhythm section in history, according to Billboard Magazine. They also played on Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind," B.J. Thomas' "Hooked on a Feeling," Herbie Mannand's "Memphis Underground" and Billy Swan's "I Can Help." For complete bios on all The Memphis Boys, visit their site.
Producer and catalog expert Ernst Jorgensen has been instrumental in the revival of Elvis Presley’s body of recordings for more than a decade; the box sets he co-produced for RCA, including The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, From Nashville to Memphis, Walk a Mile in My Shoes, and Platinum: A Life in Music, have been nominated for Grammy Awards and have sold well over a million copies. He is also author of the definitive account of Elvis’ recording sessions, Elvis Presley: A Life in Music. Ernst is instrumental in the development of each release on the Follow That Dream label.
From Wikipedia:
From Elvis in Memphis is the thirty-fourth album, not counting budget compilations on the RCA Camden subsidiary, by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Records, LSP 4155, in June 1969. Recorded at American Sound Studios in Memphis, it peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200, and is considered by many critics to be his best album. In 2003, the album was ranked number 190 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Many of the songs recorded at American by Presley derived from the country and western repertoire, such as the 1962 hit "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'" by Johnny Tillotson, Hank Snow's #1 country smash in 1950, "I'm Movin' On," and Eddy Arnold's 1947 chestnut, "I'll Hold You In My Heart." Even the more modern, late sixties country approach in "Gentle On My Mind" found a place. By including these songs, along with contemporary soul such as Jerry Butler's recent "Only the Strong Survive," like Ray Charles earlier in the decade with Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Presley reinforced the musical links between country and rhythm and blues.
Chuck Jackson had sung the original Top 40 version of "Any Day Now" by Burt Bacharach in 1962, and future country singer and 1970s television star Mac Davis provided "In the Ghetto," Presley's stab at a message or protest song aligned with the times. Released as the lead single on April 14, two months before the album hit the stores, it went to #3 on the singles chart, and provided another break with his public image as cultivated by the escapist fare of his sixties film career.
The reissue of May 16, 2000, includes six tracks released as either A or b sides recorded at the same sessions for the album. "Don't Cry Daddy," also by Davis, and "Kentucky Rain" were both sizeable hits in 1970, but "Suspicious Minds" became one of Presley's signature tunes, and gave him the final chart-topper of his career as the decade came to a close.
How strange - a really classic album, yet not getting into FTD's Classic Album Series. Sony/BMG are just sticking to the regular cuts (wonder if they'll use the same sleeve), so surely there would have been room for an FTD release with outtakes - maybe a companion. But at least we have a few others in the classic series - Easy Come, Paradise etc, Mmmmm!!
I don't thinks it's strange at all. It's the 40th anniversary of the Memphis sessions this year just as it was the 40th anniversary of the '68 special in '08. Sony is rightfully giving both events a mainstream release. In a few years will get FTD releases of both of these events. That means the original '68 special album with outtakes as well as FEIM and BIM with outtakes. If for no other reason because Sony will feel the need to milk the "cash cow" again.
Great idea ! If there will be a dvd also...I am wondering what's on it.
A great album to be sure, and arguably some of Elvis' greatest material of his career. HOWEVER, how many times do we need the same material? For me, it is hard to improve on the original sound from those sessions. Maybe if a dvd is with it I might consider purchasing it. If there is not a good dvd with it, I will pass on this. Obviously, SONY/BMG has little or no interest in pleasing the loyal fans from throughout the years. Hopefully FTD will have a chance to release this album in its classic series....., before I'm too old!
If ever an album deserves, the "royal treatment" this is the one !! In my opinion, its Elvis Presley's best album !! Followed by, "Elvis is back", and the first album "Elvis Presley". But, then again, I loved all of his albums ! RCA needs to remaster the catalog for commerical retail, starting with the classics like "From Elvis in Memphis".
Yes finaly they wake up. And this deserves more than only a FTD Classic. Ok no outtakes but probaly a dvd. It has to be available at the serious music lovers. This is the best album of 1969. But never see it on some albumslists of all time. Or mentioned by the )socalled' music lovers. Awesome idea
i already have these tracks on the 'suspicious minds' Cd in good sound so the only thing that will make me buy it is the dvd and a good booklet/packaging - hopefully giving a true warts 'n' all account of the sessions. The liner notes on the 'memphis recordings' were the best though - very insightful.
Hello, 'From Elvis in Memphis' has already been released FIVE times in its entirety - in the 60's box set, the first CD issue, the expanded remastered CD, 'The Memphis Record', and the 'Suspicious Minds' double CD. So this latest offering will be the SIXTH one. The box set masters lacked sparkle but the 'Suspicious Minds' CD sounded fine and had extra tracks. Have there really been sufficient improvements in aural technology to warrant this new release? At risk of stating the obvious, this smacks more of cashing in than of celebrating the anniversary of the original sessions.
I'll keep the suspicious minds double cd, don't need any other version.
I guess that the definitive "American Sound Studio" album is "Suspicious minds" (1999, 2 CD).
Anyway if this released will be with a great booklet and a DVD, I like very much.
agree with sitdown68 - Suspicious Minds CD is the ultimate CD for these sessions. Sound is great, outtakes were included and a great booklet. I'll stick with that as well. Since there is no footage from these sessions, you know the DVD will probably be about whoever was there talking about the sessions with the still photos we've all seen a thousand times. Its nice that this is being remembered for the 40th but its just another attempt to separate you from your money for the same product packaged differently.
The new release will be a Legacy 2CD De-Luxe Package and not a Box Set. There will be no DVD.
There's an old saying that says "You learn something new every day." Well today I learned that the old "Suspicious Minds" double cd set has great sound. My ears have been fooling me all these years. Imagine that!
Not needed,suspicious minds is the only set needed for these recordings,what is needed is a set for the On Tour material!
Reissues, reissues, etc. Further proves what I said that there is nothing left in the vaults and the 40th anniv is just an excuse to re-package same old same old. Jerry just what is wrong with the sound on Suspicious Minds 2 CD set? Its a fine set representing the 1969 Memphis sessions and the only one I will ever need. Sounds good to my ears.
In 1999(30th anniversary) Suspicious Minds the 2 cd set made sence this however doesnt make sence!
The big problem once again is that the marketing department have not exactly started to promote this that quick. Bearing in mind the original came out in June '69 - that's just 1 month away. How different with EMI and The Beatles. They have re-vamped CD's etc some with small amounts of video too, coming out in September, but they start their marketing campaign in April. It's already being talked about on the radio. So whilst I have no problem with Sony/BMG releasing this as a special anniversary, let's hope it gets some decent publicity that these recordinings merit. Otherwise I'd prefer a 7" FTD release thankyou.
FTD's don't get bought by the general public (although frankly they won't be bought by us if they get any more expensive) so it makes sense to give CD buyers another chance to buy this. However, if it's not publicised (Like Christmas Duets) it will be a futile exercise & a waste of some well loved songs.
It will be SACD? NOT! So I'll pass this one too! A pity that Sony never released Elvis on SACD, by far the best digital sound format. Please hear the Bob Dylan gems on this format from same label! And it's worse! Last year the 68 Comeback box sounded much more dull that old releases of same contents! Rather sad and pathetic! Please no more bad releases!
One more thing! Hearing from same label Miles Davis "Kind of blue" box-set cds-dvd-book-lp, it's another world, great sound and beautiful real deluxe box (not as Elvis). And the japanese 2007 sacd of same title haves a sound of another galaxy! Elvis? Back to the past with poor sound as 90's cd's releases!
I disagree with many of you and I'm sure you will let me know. This new set, sound wise will blow the others away. What do I base that on. Past recent history of Elvis' CD's both FTD's and regular comps from the last few years. If Vic Anesini is involved, get those ears ready, they are in for a treat. As far as the 68 box set from last year not sounding good, well I know many think that but I disagree again. The mono recordings of the shows and even the rehearsals sound top of the line to me. And the stereo tracks on disc 1 are the best these have been. But if you think the 69 recordings from the 90's are really great sounding, that's fine too. Me, I'm ready for the upgrades. Okay go ahead and slam me. It is only music we are discussing, so I can take it.
is that all you people do is gripe and moan about every single release. if i remeber correctly many of you were griping that they werent doing anything to commerate one of elvis's greatest recording sessions ever and now they are your all griping about it. you people make no sense whats so ever. they dont have to re-release but they are cuz they aint pleasing us they are doing it to get more elvis fans and for people who dont have the album already and for your info people disc 2 is going to be back in memphis you heard it here first and 8im glad cuz im buying it 1969 was the best elvis year ever.
Iray why would we slam you,we can disagree and still be cival to eachother,well some of us can,i for one am not interested in sound upgrades, suspcious minds sounds fine to me,as for casual fans again suspicious minds is already out there,but if your into this kind of release then go for it,i await a On Tour set!
Now if it said 'remastered from the original tapes' and not 'remastered from the original album masters' I'd be excited.
Gee, and when I bought the 1999 version with bonus tracks I thought I'd bought the definitive version! What annoys me is that they didn't release a definitive version of 'Back in Memphis'. Too much overlapping, overlooking and rehashing!!
of course there's a re-release this year, as it will be in 2019,2029.....this recording session is one of the greatest in musical history. and it's worth to re-release it over and over again (every 10 years).
when i look in the mainstream cd-shops, what do we have there? the best of, the very best of, the essential greatest very best of....only compilations. good to have there a release from one period. soundwise the "suspicious minds" 2 cd-set or the expanded FEIM didn't get a sound upgrade comparing to the 60's masters box. they did a good job on the "i belive" box, hopefully on this one too.
yeah some good points. The 'I belive' set is an example of how the sound can be improved with a good sound engineer. maybe the emphasis should be on the word 'box' . A real boxset with originial masters and ALL outtakes - now that I would definately buy!
that's what i have expected this year. THE '69 BOX SET.
As already pointed out this will be a Legacy De-Luxe 2 CD Package and NOT a Box Set.
Most of you seem to be missing the point. As I read it, this is a mainstream release, will be in the shops (though even places like HMV seem to stock very few CDs of any sort these days) and may get some attention from the music media. FTD is a medium unknown to the general public and is irrelevant to the discussion. Repackaging is essential to get any sort of shelf space though the Beatles scenario of maintaining availability of a relatively small catalogue is an entirely different marketing strategy.
Unfortunately there won't be any promotion worth the name, but that's the way it's always been.I recently played the Memphis tracks from the 60s box set, which has them in order of recording. It was a most refreshing way to listen to them and I'm inclined to think that those 69 sessions were Elvis's greatest moments and greatest legacy audio-wise.
Let's hope that the dvd will be an audio dvd with all the songs on it in 5.1 dts sound !
herman : what's the use of an audio-dvd when the forthcoming release will be an AUDIO cd, and MAYBE a dvd ?
benny scott: Did you ever heard an audio-dvd in 5.1 dts sound ? Big difference with a normal audio-cd. These songs deserve this sound quality. But of corse, that mine opinion. Are we waiting for only interviews on a dvd, i guess not. Interviews are ok but space enough on a dvd for also all the song in 5.1 or dts sound.
ancious for this one.sure wish something would be released for On Tour tho.it's ong,LONG over-due.
Eric i have said time & time again,a On Tour Show or set is long overdue,get on it Ftd or Sony!
Yes I have these songs many times over including the great "Suspicious Minds" 69' Recordings Anthology set, but I welcome this for anyone who may have missed that release years ago. I think it's cool to see one of E.P.'s most important sessions reissued in the main stream public for purchase in 2009. I'm surprised at the moaners & whiners here that can't ever be satisfied without moaning about something so trivial. Here there is no "Remix", no "Love Songs" compilation, no "Camden" or "budget" release, no "Christmas Songs" reissue" that the "whine brigade" always whine about. Here we have some of Elvis' most important recordings updated & celebrating the 40th Anniverary of these historic sessions WITH A BOOKLET as many whiners moan about never getting, and still they moan, whine & complain. Sony/BMG/RCA has NEVER ripped me off. The reason being, I make a choice as to which albums, which releases I purchase. Some I pass up, some I buy. Some whiners moan about "this collection" being a ripoff or "that collection" being a rip off as though they have no say in the matter as to what to buy. Again, I'm just thankful that we have choices. There are some things I wish would be released that haven't been but again that is fine. In time, I hope they'll release them. If not, no big deal. I have enough E.P. recordings in my collection now that I'm content with what I have. Yes this collection of songs have been reissued time and time again & this upcoming release is not a problem to me. Who knows, there maybe many many Elvis collectors that never had a chance to get the "Suspicious Minds" collection a few years ago. I say, hey make this new set available to them or anyone else who may CHOOSE to buy this fine collection. I say this collection is a winner.
here here dixieland. looking forward to it too, esp as its a deluxe version.
I suport your opinion 100% Dixieland Rock. Soon, the whiners will have nothing to complain about as FTD is releasing more and more. But I'm sure they'll find something to whine about. This reissue of the Memphis 1969 Session is a cause for celebration Hurrah!
If Sony wants to release this double CD on their main BMG label that should be fine and sell well.
Meanwhile as a follow up, FTD should release another double Digipack with nothing but the best of Outtakes of all the sessions songs. Then both are happy: the broad public and the fans/collectors
The follow-up will undoubtedly come in a few years when FTD releases classic album versions of From Elvis In Memphis and Back In Memphis with outtakes. I'll wait for those.
Dixieland you sure did go to alot of trouble to tell us about your hate of whiners,some dont this idea,some do,how is not likeing something whining? you can pick up suspicious minds for about 14 usd! Everyone will not agree on this release,sure we can pick and choose but the whole point of a forum is to give your view,no worries!
"Mature", it wasn't no trouble at all to say that. To correct you, I NEVER said I have a "hate of whiners". You are adding words I never said. What I did say was that I was surprised at the whining, moaning & complaining over this fine upcoming release. There is always so much negativity about everything. I understand the whole point of the forum is to give your views. I respect your views although I may not always agree with you. I don't need any of these songs but I'm cool with the idea of this updated collection being released. There have been many E P releases I missed out on the first time around. A few years later when they were re-released, I was able to get it. So I say, for anyone wanting to get this reissue of these songs, this is a winner.
Fair enough,but with views comes not agreeing not whining,dont you think that phrase is overused?