Between all the crap releases from questionable import labels this release from the new ReelTrax label was a pleasant surprise.
Design
This CD comes with a modern looking design based on the design of the German single release of “We Call On Him” backed with “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The liner notes place Elvis’ gospel recordings in the proper context. You can also see the designers paid attention to the #1 label in design, the Madison label.
Content
All studio tracks on this compilation were recorded in 1966 and 1967; Elvis’ career was in the middle of a nose-dive, but his voice was in top shape. Fortunately for us he recorded the music he loved next to the mostly mediocre movie soundtracks.
Like with the American Way series from the Southern Comfort label you can sit in on these sessions for the songs and enjoy the fly on the wall perspective. On this compilation you get eleven “sessions” for eleven songs.
The sound on this session CD is great, Elvis seams to be standing next to you in church; it sounds wide and open. From the “How Great Thou Art” session we get "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "We Call On Him" in stereo, the remaining tracks are still in mono. But more important, this release contains new outtakes of "We Call On Him" (take 1) and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (the first takes) which – besides the great audio quality – make it worth tracking down a copy.
The one problem I have with Elvis’ gospel music is that many compilations contain too many of the slower and sacred sounding performances. This compilation contains the upbeat black sounding tracks too. That's what I call celebrating The Lord.
The quotes from Ray Walker and Joe Moscheo are nice bonussus with the live version of the title track with just Elvis and the piano from July 19, 1975" as the cherry on top.
Conclusion
Like most of you I’m waiting for Follow That Dream Classic Album re-issue of "How Great Thou Art" (hopefully in perfect stereo), but until then this gem will find its way to my CD player many times.
Looking forward to the next release from this label.
Tracklisting:
- You’ll Never Walk Alone [Takes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] – 12:32
- We Call On Him [Takes 1, 2, 3] – 05:47
- Run On [Takes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] – 10:08
- Stand By Me [Takes 8, 9, 10] – 05:39
- Where No one Stands Alone [Takes 1, 2] – 05:53
- Where No One Stands Alone – workpart [Takes 1, 2, 3] – 03:42
- So High [Takes 2, 3] – 02:21
- Farther Along ]Takes 1, 2] – 04:05
- By And By [Takes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] – 10:30
- Somebody Bigger Than You And I [Takes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] – 07:51
- If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side [Takes 3, 4, 5] – 04:04
- Statement Ray Walker – 01:05
- Statement Joe Moscheo – 01:08
- You’ll Never Walk Alone (live July 19, 1975) – 02:21