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Elvis 1969

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, January 26, 2014 | Music

Gravel Road Music just released a 3CD box focusing on Elvis in 1969, both in the studio as on stage.

Design

As usual the package is top notch, a bit tight in the box, but after I managed to get it out my lower jar was somewhere on my chest. The fold out sleeve is decorated with pictures from the NBC special (Elvis in black, from Guitar Man/ Trouble) and Vegas 1969 (Elvis in white).
The 32 page booklet is full with more great pictures and background information. As an extra there is a photo album with both promotional and live shots.

Elvis 1969 package

Content

CD one contains basically the two studio albums coming from the American Sound Studio sessions. The main difference with those albums is that these are the repaired masters. I saw a lot of comments that we have all that already on the FTD versions of these albums. That’s more or less true, but those contain mostly the unrepaired masters. In any case I can only say I love the disc and already played it half a dozen of times and ripped it for in the car and on my phone.
The second CD is a compilation of all multi-tracks available from the August 24 Midnight Show. Unfortunately not all songs were released so it is completed with some songs from the Dinner Show of the same date. It is a very pleasant listen, but still… it is not the complete show. I wonder how they managed to make it sound “as a whole”, looking at all different sources they have used.
The 3rd CD contains a complete version of the show, but it is “only” the soundboard. DAE released it before on Here I Go Again. GRM decided not to add all the effects that DAE used to add. I am very happy with that, since I never really liked those reverb, echo or whatever effects. Unfortunately something went wrong with the transfer, or my CD is damaged, since there is a little jump at the end of James’ solo in Johnny B. Also the finish of the recording is a bit abrupt, but it’s all they got I guess.
The last 22 minutes are for the musicians in the American Sound Studio… rehearsing and first attempt of recording Come Out, Come Out. It is not exactly my piece of cake, but it is just an extra.

Conclusion

A beautiful package with a great studio CD that will get many spins over here. The second CD is a good listen and until Sony decides to release the full show (if they have it completely) this is the closest we get to it in this quality. I regard the 3rd disc as a bonus, but it won’t end up in my player very often.

 

Ciscoking wrote on January 27, 2014
Well said, Lex..and in addition it is a fabulous package...
KINGE wrote on January 29, 2014
Not worth getting for fans who has the FTD releases from memphis sessions in 69. I couldnt hear anything new on disc1....in fact some songs are faded while on FTD they are unfaded. Havent heard disc2 and 3 yet but from tracklist Im sure I have everything on other releases as well. The packaking and booklet are great though......shame the discs are nothing special :(
woody1 wrote on January 29, 2014
Thanks KINGE I've been wondering about this one, I'm sure it's a great product but the question for me was would it be worth investing my hard earned cash in and I think you've just helped me make up my mind. I'll pick up a copy when my six numbers come up.
TheMemphisFan wrote on January 30, 2014
I'll pass on this copy-cat release. I already have enough Elvis material from 1969 (issued by BMG/Sony/FTD & bootlegs) to last me the rest of my life ... even if I live to be 150 years old.
Matthias Kuenzer wrote on January 30, 2014
Buyers beware. You are buying the packaging - you probably already have the content.
JerryNodak wrote on January 30, 2014
If there's one thing I don't need in my collection it's more '69 material. I've got enough of that to last me a lifetime.
You Dont Know Me wrote on January 31, 2014
This may well be the problem we already have too much similar 1969 material!~ why even if in the future i buy the unreleased remaining 1969 show the 23rd August 1969 Dinner Show i am sure it will be 95% same dialogue songs as i already own in great sound. So as Matthias says basically we are just buying superb packaging the rest we have spread over many MANY different releases!~
roytcbintheuk wrote on February 04, 2014
I am glad i didnt buy the FTD releases so i can now enjoy this super looking package!!
VivaLasDavies wrote on February 05, 2014
Given the nature of these releases, stating that you're passing on official product in order to buy them is not too clever.
roytcbintheuk wrote on February 05, 2014
vivalasdavies i have spent thousands of pounds on official releases through the years and have most of the FTD cds so its my choice if i now want to buy an "unofficial product, its a fact that a lot of the unofficial stuff is far better in its presentation and content than some of the official products just take a look at the backdraft release rebooked at the international for instance this is what the fans want quality at an affordable price!!!
VivaLasDavies wrote on February 05, 2014
I don't dispute what you say about the quality of bootlegs but I think you're missing the point. I'll spell it out - isn't it just possible that a record company reading your comments about buying bootlegs over official product might just decide to re-double their efforts to stop them - think about it.
NorwayElvis wrote on February 06, 2014
Poor box set....and most important.....a pointless release. All tracks taken from 3 FTD releases....only here many tracks are faded at the end while on FTD they were complete. Would have been a great release 5 years ago....then again the label wouldnt have the FTD to steal the tracks from!
Ciscoking wrote on February 06, 2014
For me as a collector..I am happy with the box..the live stuff is amazing..it`s a hommage..to what happended some 45 years ago..
Natha wrote on February 06, 2014
It is obvious to me that quite often the bootleg cds are better in presentation than FTD/RCA/SONY, certain reeases of the same quality as the FTD... I wonder why FTD is not putting all their efforts in those products like the bootleg labels do. Imust say I prefer to buy the FTDs more AS LONG AS their products are outstanding and flawless (I mean without typos). We have already paid so much to the RCA gang that it is now time (as the end of it all is dawning) to go all out and beat the bootleg labels. Not by fighting in the courtroom but by using their expertise to meet these requirements.
Natha wrote on February 06, 2014
And in response to CiscoKing, as a collector I also like the package. You're quite right calling it a hommage. But let me ask you, as one involved in FTD too, why did not FTD do this? I would have loved to pay a few euros more. Now I have to spend more!
You Dont Know Me wrote on February 06, 2014
If FTD had done this package they could have added an unreleased 23/8/69 Dinner Show and then BLOWN bootlegs away because of a superb package....as it stands sometime in the future the last complete recorded 1969 live show will get a release by FTD..sometime who knows when?
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on February 07, 2014
Why didnt ftd do this lol,there stuck on the classic album series,its become very predicable kinda like my comments on ftd lol.
Rob V wrote on February 07, 2014
Hope we can all move on from this set.... Next FTDs & Memphis '74 Legacy.
benny scott wrote on February 07, 2014
Hi Ciscoking, in his review Lex mentioned "a little jump at the end of James' solo in Johnny B" on Disc 3. Lex thinks something could have been wrong during the transfer OR his CD was damaged. What"s your experience with and/or impression on this part of dic 3 ? An answer would be very appriciated! Thanks in advance. Still can't decide if I'll buy the box it or not. Always El.
circleG wrote on February 18, 2014
I too had difficulty getting the Cds out, almost had to use a crowbar! Listening to the first Cd I have to say its great to have Chips Momans vision of the album stripped down but to me its sounds exactly that - stripped down, missing something, almost a folky sound. I have to say I prefer Feltons vision, there's so much more punch but its nice to have the two. I didn't know the beginning of I'll Hold You In My Heart was repeated, 'an early version of sampling'. Interesting.