Late last month FTD released Elvis’ third gospel album, next to His Hand In Mine and How Great Thou Art, in the classic album series.
Design
The design in this series is known by know. Extensive background information decorated with many pictures and memorabilia.
Content
As usual the first CD is filled with the original album and early takes. From the three gospel albums this one was my favourite (neck to neck with His Hand In Mine). Mainly because of the up tempo songs: they have a certain pop feeling – especially Seeing Is Believing and I’ve Got Confidence - that wasn’t present on the earlier gospel albums.
During the early takes we get some one-liners from for instance You’d Better Run and Oh Happy Day. It is obvious Elvis exactly knew what he wanted, since the early takes are all very close to the masters.
CD two is filled with outtakes, sometimes it is clear why they are outtakes because the backing vocals are out of line, if not out of tune. More often you wonder why he wanted another take. I really can’t name any highlights, since they are all done with a sincerity and offer tons of listening pleasure. The most (obvious) remarkable thing is the inclusion of a very lazy, laid back version of Johnny B. Goode (which we got already on bootleg not so long ago).
Conclusion
All together FTD delivered another great classic album, in superb sound quality, and both CDs will be found in my player often.
I goin to get this in my mailbox in a few days and can't wait for it but uhm lex? this was really a short review and didnt gave that much information. Althought Johnny be goode maybe sounds ''Very Lazy'' as u call it i still would like to hear this in the complete form (Whenever that will turn up) remember it wasnt meant for an album release so why would elvis jam on johnny be goode in full power if it was never meant to be on disc? It doesn't sound like the 1970 rehearsals but its close to the 1972 on tour rehearsal. But thanks for the time to do this thou
I had to check the authorship of this review twice! It's rare to see a European fan that appreciates Elvis gospel recordings. What a welcome treat!! He Touched Me is my all time favorite gospel album. The title track is simply magnificent. I don't agree that the review is lacking. If you know the material already (which most of us do), it's difficult to expand on the snippets and otherwise dropped attempts at what became master takes.
Spontaneous recordings like "Johnny B. Goode" are usually incomplete for two reasons. Sometimes they were played to keep the band energy up while the tape was being changed and part of it ends up getting recorded when the engineer hits the record button on the new tape. The other situation is between songs when the tape has generally been stopped. If something good is coming through the speakers the engineer might start recording during the song. Both of these situations give us incomplete recordings, with usually the beginning parts missing. I'm not sure what would give anybody the impression that "European fans" do not appreciate Elvis' Gospel recordings. I thought nationalistic stereotypes were a thing of the past.
Listening to this great sounding CD now - Elvis was in total control, knowing exactly what he wanted. A joy to listen to!
Paul - You are so right that Elvis was in total control, and he knew exactly what he wanted. Listen to his arrangements of "Amazing Grace" or "Bosom of Abraham" not to mention "I John." They are all spot on. It's amazing to look at the session logs while listening to this CD. How he was able to switch from Gospel, to folk/country, to Christmas and back is incredible.
I admit to not playing this one very often, but this release and its presentation has me almost discovering a release that I have to admit to almost overlooking for nearly forty years. The sound is impeccable - as are all releases that Vic Anesini touches. This one will keep me satisfied until "Promised Land" arrives next month.
I have stayed away from He Touched Me for a while. Listening to this FTD beauty reminded me all over how much I used to like this album. The FTD is sounding so good and every song on it comes out in a such a wonderful warm and balanced sound. Not least is Elvis' voice much better sounding in this mix. Even Seeing Is Believing, which to me was the lower point of the album, now is a rediscovery for the better. Great FTD release!
I like this album music, the original artwork is very nice and the cover on this ftd is respectfull to the original, the only deception i have is that inside the booklet we have a lot of pictures out of the original concept but the sound is fantastic and i'm very happy whith this release. I love Elvis' Gospel albums like many others european fans! i'm waiting the 2 next ftd classic, thanks ftd. 4.5/5. Claunath France.
I wonder how many times people will have to mention the fact that several session reels from 1971 are missing from the Sony archives, hence the fact the some songs have a limited number of available out-takes or none at all. This needs to be taken into account when people constantly complain about certain out-takes being missing from FTD releases. They obviously do not read postings from other people, or ignore them as they do not fit into their FTD-bashing agenda.
JeanMarie, how did you manage to pay 35 euros? Normal price is about 22 euros.
I like this FTD-album. Though its my least favourite Gospelalbum from Elvis. Still some very good songs on it, but Elvis sounds sometimes a bit tired. The song I dont like is An evening prayer, the end is way over the top. Still im enjoying most of the songs and outtakes, and Im happy I bought it (for 22 euro)
I just have a little question about some pictures in the booklet, the pictures when Elvis test his new jumpsuits are credited that it is in a hotel room in Vegas but in the Evis Now ftd the same pictures are from his palm springs home ! what is correct ? the latest ftd i bouhgt are with mp3 title, it is very practical in my car but here we have not the ftd song titles WHY ? But I like this Ftd album very much
I paid 30 euros in France when I bought it from the shop. It's usual I think. Shop rentings etc.
Well the sound IS 'very good' and FTD have done a great jo, BUT i have heard many of the 'highlights' before so this doesn't impress me as much as say the Richmond CD did! strangely enough disc one seems a more enjoyable complete disc listen for 61 minutes than the 69 minute disc 2- maybe because their is only the tinyiest little bit of unheard dialogue and takes are so very similar- the sound QUALITY must be the 'best ever' though and i cannot get bored with that!~
Im glad other fans enjoy outtakes,but i am no longer a fan of them,therefor im selling most of my ftd's,many i have never opened. Time to let go,and i wont be asking a small fortune like some sellers.
This release is good but not great. Once again there is not enough new stuff or at least "in between takes talking". I am sure they hold back alot of it for future releases,otherwise they are running out of material too soon... Att. "...fan 55" : I would like to buy some of yr FTDs !
Hello, I think the songs, arrangements, production and Elvis's vocal technique at these sessions were light years behind those in evidence in the 'His Hand in Mine' and 'How Great Thou Art' recordings. 'Lead Me, Guide Me' is pleasant enough but there are too many middling tunes, while 'Padre', 'Put Your Hand in the Hand' and 'A Thing Called Love' are awful.
Jamie, in reference to you comment on the "production" of He Touched Me vs. His Hand In Mine. I would agree. There are probably no better Elvis recordings than the Bill Porter studio recordings of 1960-1963 from an audiophile point of view! Such detail, clarity, dynamics and resolution. Bill did not like compression nor using limiters. Other than the artificial echo that RCA seemed to insist on, Porter's recordings were very natural indeed.
Hello Kink, yes the sound on those recordings - taped over half a century ago! - is astounding. Regards, JK
I'd wish there were dozens of tapes from Vegas or wherever containing the after concert gospel sessions we've read about in the last years. It would be kind of Presley's "Basement Tapes" for me ;-) Are there any hints for some "lost" or well guarded material? Ernst, if you read this: Would make a great Christmas Collection for 2012 and the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing.
Another good FTD-set, perhaps not the most intertaining. When you are in the mood for Elvis gospel + the working proces. I bought it, I listen to it once, I'm glad for it...and now it's on the shalve...
