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Hillcrest Blues

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, November 30, 2008 | Music

Madison just released the third volume in their Standing Room Only Tapes-series. Hillcrest Blues brings us the mock session in RCA’s studio C in Hollywood for the filming of Elvis On Tour.

Design

As known by now Madison is in a league of their own regarding design. Again they delivered a top product with nice liner notes decorated in a way only Madison’s designer seems to be able to. A couple of live shots, many photos from the session and the poster for Elvis On Tour are used in this booklet.

 

Content

If you don’t like For The Good Times, this is not your CD, since the gloomy Kris Kristofferson penned country song forms the main part of the session. The CD starts with a few takes of Burning Love (where your heart pounds over when the sound is corrected). It is amazing to hear how Elvis attacks the song, especially since he disliked recording it so much only two days earlier, according to the stories.

After a couple of one liners the For The Good Times sequence starts. Not less than 7 takes, most of them lasting more than 3 minutes, are done. Somehow Elvis managed to get a different sound (or feel) in many of them. Of course there are the usual jokes and adlibs (Don’t look so bad, sad… put on some make-up). I have to admit that I was in doubt beforehand... afraid it would get boring. Somehow it doesn't...

One of the highlights on the CD to me is the Johnny B. Goode recording, a song I always love when done seriously. James Burton is outstanding once again.

The CD ends with the two key songs from the movie: Always On My Mind and Separate Ways. Many seem to like these versions better than the official recordings from the days before. I guess it’s the honesty and vulnerability Elvis managed to put down on tape that March 30, 1972.

Conclusion

Except the first run of Burning Love the sound is outstanding. All that’s left to wish after this superb release, is a DVD version with the complete session, oh and please... let Madison do the design of it.

Tracklisting

01. Burning Love - take 1 (incomplete) / Here We Go Again (one liner) 3:10
02. Burning Love - take 2 3:25
03. Burning Love - take 3 / The Lord's Prayer (one liner) 3:19
04. Sweet Sweet Spirit (one liner) 0:19
05. For The Good Times (rehearsal) 2:52
06. For The Good Times - take 1 (incomplete) 3:35
07. For The Good Times (more rehearsal) 2:18
08. For The Good Times - take 2 3:44
09. For The Good Times - take 3 (false start) 0:19
10. For The Good Times - take 4 6:22
11. Anytime (one line) / dialogue 1:47
12. For The Good Times take 5 3:31
13. For The Good Times - take 6 (incomplete) 3:01
14. For The Good Times - take 7 4:10
15. Dialogue / El Paso (one liner) 1:13
16. Johnny B. Goode - take 1 (false start) 1:02
17. Johnny B. Goode - take 2 (false start) 0:46
18. Oh, How I Love Jesus (one liner) 0:56
19. Johnny B. Goode - take 3 / dialogue 3:42
20. A Big Hunk O' Love (incomplete) / dialogue 4:39
21. Always On My Mind (rehearsal) 3:02
22. Always On My Mind - take 1 (incomplete) 2:34
23. Always On My Mind - take 2 5:09
24. Separate Ways - take 1 4:09
25. Separate Ways - take 2 3:40
 

Ronaldv wrote on November 30, 2008
Nice review Lex. I think, in this sound quality this is a superior cd, you can´t miss this one! The next one got to be the earlier announced 1973 soundboard, a tour concert, I hope.
Greg Nolan wrote on December 01, 2008
Yes, indeed, it's a beautiful release and well worth seeking out. (Isn't every Madison..?) I just got my copy and I can't believe these how much Madison has moved the bar for the import world but also for RCA /Sony/FTD. Run, don't walk!
Pedro Nuno wrote on December 02, 2008
Yes the sound is good. But i only got this release because I didn't pay for it. As I said before if I had to pay it I wouldn't have since I wouldn't buy this cd to have 9 takes of For the Good Times, 5 one line "songs", two false starts, and 5 incomplete takes in a total of 25 songs with only 5 complete different ones. It's just too mock for me ... But a DVD it would be a very different story (part of this we have it already in the import market in the On tour Outtakes and Through My Eyes DVDs)
Jerome-the-third wrote on December 02, 2008
one point of criticism, they could have left some studio chatter out because it's impossible to hear and at some part just takes a couple of minutes. not for people without a remote control. anyway thank you madison keep up the great work..
Greg Nolan wrote on December 04, 2008
Pedro: your continued negativity is really wearing. You get a free CD (who know how you were so lucky?) and then you crap all over it? It's for hard-core Elvis fans only. Admittedly its for Elvis geeks, if you will. And if you don't like session-style releases, stick to concerts --on the main label, while you're at it. Madison is the yardstick for all import labels to beat today and quite a few are doing a good job of *trying* to meet their high standard. All praise is due to Madison for their outstanding "Standing Room Only Tapes" series!
Pedro Nuno wrote on December 05, 2008
Greg, let me explain: The release is a good one, in an historical point of view, in sound quality, and in musical creativity from our Man. I praise Madison for all that. My point is that, strictly personally, I wouldn't give money for that release nowadays when we have a lot of stuff in the market, where to spend our dole (years ago I wouldn't think twice). And I guess it's not that hard to get those c.d.s for free if you are in the right Fan Club or in the Right Forum. TCB
SnOwMan wrote on December 05, 2008
This is far the best import cd of 2008! Great sound quality, nice booklet, complete, unedited rehearsal, good songs... everything is perfect! I want more rehearsals! Bring them on!
Natha wrote on December 06, 2008
It is always inspiring to hear (in excellent sound!) how a song develops. I don't mind to pay for it as I derive a lot of joy from listening to it and when the price per hour is ultimately nihil. Great release.
Erika Freiburger wrote on December 06, 2008
I agree with Snowman,it's an excellent CD! Einfach phantastisch! Even better than Red Hot In Richmond and A Greensboro Revolution. I like concerts very much but i already have allzuviel... More rehearsals please. There are a few from 1970 and 1972. I've heard they have recorded a few in august 1974,too,but only one of them survived. I hope there are more.
GeertFromNl wrote on December 06, 2008
Super CD! I'm glad it's unedited. (I don't like the clumsy edits and faked things by Ernst Jorgensen on the FTD label). Madison is the best import label! They give us what we want.
Zoltan84 wrote on December 07, 2008
It's one of the best bootleg releases ever. Well done,Madison! And don't forget to release that unreleased 1973 soundboard.
elvistruth wrote on December 14, 2008
The sound here is of another planet!!! One trillion times better that FTD!!!!!!!! Boys of Madison: Really thank-you!!! (tested with an equipment of 35.000 dollar so I know well the audiophile thing!!!). So Madison Team please TAKE the Sony/FTD releases NOWWWWWWW
JJ.aron wrote on December 19, 2008
Give us On TOUR Man on DVD . that's also in perfect sound,and that's what the fans want!! i mean RCA/BMG/FTD release folks no bootleg!! But i must wake up out of the impossible dream and go on livin' to the max. So EPE A little conversation and get the ... action . for our king
Erika Freiburger wrote on January 07, 2009
There were many great bootleg releases in 2008 but this was the best (in my opinion). Virtual hugs and kisses to the Madison-guys!
Linda Kovalcik wrote on January 09, 2009
I've really enjoyed this CD. Fantastic sound quality here.
ImmerElvis wrote on January 12, 2009
Ja, Pedro I do agree with you. They could have added many more unreleased on ftd label songs and outtakes. I will probably not play this cd a lot because those songs like FtGTimes and Always on mein Mind are not my favourites. They could have added outtakes of Down im Alley, Charlie got blues, and as some fans earlier claimed also the great Jerry Reed & Elvis session which could have been added here; zum Beispiel outtakes of hilarious outtakes of USMale (I got shot, etc) and GMan versions with the in between Atlanta-sounding Jerry talking of going to the parking lot as he can't find the right guitar key. Maybe they treat us nicely this year and bring such one out later this year. Also like the comments from both german girls Linda und Erika. Nur, I Do not understand why so many people like JJaron and Elvistruth print their comments in capitals.