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Details His Hand In Mine Re-issue

March 05, 2008 | Music
On March 11, 2008 SONY / BMG will re-issue Elvis' gospel albums "His Hand In Mine", "How Great Thou Art" and "He Touched Me" with bonus tracks. This is the complete cover of the "His Hand In Mine" album. All tracks of this album have been remastered from the original analogue tapes according to the text on the back cover.
Product description:

Elvis' million selling first gospel LP from 1960, His Hand In Mine represents one of the many proud moments of Elvis' career. His voice is stunningly beautiful in this tribute to his gospel heroes: The Blackwood Brothers, The Statesmen Quartet, and The Golden Gate Quartet. Includes bonus tracks from Elvis' platinum selling gospel debut EP Peace In The Valley from 1957.

Track listing:

  1. His Hand In Mine
  2. I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs
  3. In My Father's House
  4. Milky White Way
  5. Known Only To Him
  6. I Believe In The Man In The Sky
  7. Joshua Fit The Battle
  8. He Knows Just What I Need
  9. Swing Down Sweet Chariot
  10. Mansion Over The Hilltop
  11. If We Never Meet Again
  12. Working On The Building
  13. Peace In The Valley
  14. It's No Secret
  15. I Believe
  16. Take My Hand, Precious Lord

His Hand In Mine Album Notes

Personnel: The Jordanaires (background vocals).

During his lifetime, Elvis Presley recorded three gospel albums and a four-song gospel EP. Presley's first full-length gospel album, HIS HAND IN MINE, sticks close to the quartet-style gospel singing Elvis loved as a youngster in Memphis. In fact, most of the arrangements on His Hand In Mine mimic arrangements used by two of Elvis' favorite groups, the Statesmen and the Memphis-based Blackwood Brothers.

The influence of such black gospel quartets as the Swan Silvertones and the Golden Gate Quartet, whom Elvis would have known through radio broadcasts, can also be heard on many numbers. As on all recordings inspired by the musical enthusiasm of his youth, Elvis shines on His Hand In Mine, singing with breathtaking passion and dexterity. The first twelve songs on this disc, all classics of the genre, constitute the album as it was originally released in 1960. RCA subsequently added three tracks to the CD: "It is No Secret," originally released on Elvis' 1957 Peace In The Valley EP; a 1967 recording of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone"; and "Who Am I," recorded in 1969.
Source:CD Universe
Jerome wrote on March 05, 2008
I especially like the song "It's no secret what Sony/BMG can do"..
circleG wrote on March 05, 2008
I'm glad these have been released for the general public but aren't they a bit overdue? I was expecting these when BMG were doing the upgrades back in 2000 I think it was. And now that 'His hand in mine' is available from FTD WITH outtakes what's the point?
Steve V wrote on March 05, 2008
Glad I didnt go for the FTD. Dont need a whole disc of outtakes I'll play only once. Indeed, there is a lot of money being spent for the same stuff time & time again for some folks.
Deke Rivers 6 wrote on March 05, 2008
Are the EP track's in stereo for the first time. I have a stereo version of Love Me Tender , nothing to do with this I know, but I thought I'd mention it anyway !
GeertFromNl wrote on March 06, 2008
The HHIM FTD is the ultimate version. This new re-release is for the quick cash only. Thanks BMG,but i will pass it.
Aron wrote on March 06, 2008
so I'll do ...
Theo wrote on March 06, 2008
Geert, you're right: This is only for quick cash. You can tell from all the mistales in the text. The "original mono tapes" is one, but there's also mention of three bonus tracks instead of four. These three, It is No Secret, You'll Never Walk Alone and Who Am I were added on the 80's re-release of the album. If the songs from the Peace In The Valley EP are in stereo this would be an interesting release, though. I have all these songs twice already, so I'll pass and rather wait for the FTD release of the the '57 stereo tracks (if that ever sees the light of day).
Theo wrote on March 06, 2008
"Mistales"... I can't even spell "mistakes" right. Sorry. To end on a positive note: it's good to see this great Elvis album back in the mainstream catalogue again!
jb4elvis wrote on March 06, 2008
Let me say that "His Hand in Mine" has always been one of my favorite Elvis albums. I also have the FTD release and listen to it often. The FTD release is amazing! BUT, what is the purpose of this release? Who is the intended demographic for this? I get so confused, and yes frustrated, by RCA/BMG/Sony and the way they continue handling (or mishandling) the Elvis catalogue.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on March 06, 2008
Us die hard fans, get wonderful "outakes" and more.. on our FTD versions.. something the general public, may not, want, or need .. Same goes for the wonderful boxsets.. Alot of the general public, won't spend money on an Expensive set. So these new "upgraded Gospel Releases" are released, at the nice price and intended for them, just in time for the Easter season, and beyond. Of note: Stores like Walmart, will sell the CDs at lower price, and these CDs will sell well !!
Mofoca22 wrote on March 06, 2008
people why copmplain and use allegations its just for the money that they release these? you are all cynical and you say you already have it. big deal many others dont up until last year i didnt even have his hand in mine and how great thou art in roginal form on cd. i was happy when i got it and now im even happied that they upgraded all 3 and added tracks that belong on there. i say bravo to sony /bmg for finnaly bucking the ani- religion trend and releasing the best music elvis ever done and you all should be happy to if your honestly elvis fans. because now more people can listen to his gospal music recordings without having to buy these box sets that cost more than 50 bucks people wont buy when it cost that much these days not with gas prices so high. im gonna buy all 3 even though i have the orginals and have them on casette hey its my money anyways as elvis says ill do whatever the bleep i want with it.
Pedro Nuno wrote on March 06, 2008
These releases are not made for us, Hardcore Fans and FTD buyers. They are made for the general public that still needs good releases like this one the get to know better Elvis musical legacy. This is the right way to make new fans, and a very respectable way to treat Elvis catalogue! Way to go Sony/BMG.
circleG wrote on March 06, 2008
I'm not saying they're not welcome. I'll be glad to have them in my Cd collection. I just don't understand why they weren't part of the 'upgrades' albums years ago. the whole thing just seems to be back-to-front.
Greg Nolan wrote on March 07, 2008
It should go without saying that this is for the mainstream retail market - what's left of it. And it still is out there here in the US: go to K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. and for now, you can still see a CD section, and almost always (thank god) an Elvis section. Casual fans are not interested in outtakes or deluxe versions as a rule, and to some degree aren't phased by audio upgrades, at least not as a reason to buy it. (Do an A/B comparison and many would in fact notice.) The main thing, as most of us have been complaining about for years, is to keep Elvis' original album titles "in print" and "in the catalog." So this is to be applauded! It's a good move and I think we've so reflexively panned Sony/BMG / and RCA for so many years that we've forgotten that there's nothing wrong with keeping the old familiar titles in print. Indeed, Elvis' gospel albums have remained popular -and to me, it sure beats latter day compilations like "Ultimate Gospel" that canibalize original works like these. So no matter any minor imperfections, these releases are to be cheered! Again, that doesn't require most of us to purchase them (after all, the "HIS HAND IN MINE" FTD should be in your collection already) it's a good day when you can see titles like these in the racks. Enjoy that!
circleG wrote on March 07, 2008
well said greg. agree with you 100%
JerryNodak wrote on March 08, 2008
Yes, well said, Greg. Always a voice of calm reasoning on an angry sea of discontent. These mainstream gospel re-releases will be of great use to someone like my brother who likes Elvis, but isn't a FAN as such. He's been complaing for years about the sound quality on the original cd issues of these albums back in the day. I'm sure he'll buy these.
Lefty wrote on March 08, 2008
Re-release three gospel albums just in time for Easter. Sounds like a good marketing tool to me! As noted by others, a lot of people don't own these CD's and have no clue about FTD, etc. It's certainly a better idea than say, an Elvis chocolate easter rabbit, or Elvis colored Easter eggs. You get the idea.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on March 09, 2008
Yea keep it in print but geesh these 3 cd's can be bought with one Elvis gospel set,still many classic and fan favorites out of print excpet for cheap crappy imported kind aka the elvis collection!
JerryNodak wrote on March 11, 2008
Sure, you can buy all the tracks on these three albums in one set. Not everyone wants a set. They want THE albums. The bonus tracks are added value for the money. Besides all the sets were released years ago. CD sound has improved dramatically.
Jumpin Jehosaphat wrote on March 12, 2008
Nice reminds me to take my "old ones" and just play them for Easter. no need to spend money, AND if i feel like it i'll play the records, you remember them dont you.
bray1977 wrote on March 18, 2008
I'll buy these. Its great to see Elvis' original albums back in print. This is a very positive move from BMG. Much better than anotheer geatest hits release.