The album that was announced a long, long time ago...
In 1980 Felton Jarvis, Elvis' record producer for the last decade came to the remarkable idea to freshen up some of Elvis' recordings. The idea was to add totally new backing tracks to Elvis' voice. This resulted in the 1981 record release of "Guitar Man".
You hate it or you love it is probably the right thing to say about the album.
Felton was convinced Elvis would have loved it. The original album contained 10 songs. But Felton worked on a bunch of other songs to see if they would suit the project.
This special LP / CD & 45 RPM set contains many of those unreleased versions that never made it to the record. Also included are some unreleased unfinished versions of tracks that did make it to the final GUITAR MAN album.
The title track "Guitar Man" written and first performed by Jerry Reed was obviously one of the tracks that had to end up on the album. Jerry Reed was part of the original recording by Elvis in 1967 and now Jerry Reed was back in the studio with Felton Jarvis to work on the new title track for the 1981 re-release. Besides the guitar work he also recorded a "duet" version of the song. This version never made it to the album, but it probably should have. Felton finished this track most likely for his own pleasure or for Jerry Reed and it is one of the many highlights of this set. This is just an example of one of the many surprises you will find on this amazing set. And all in a wonderful sound quality.
This wonderful 2LP set is packed with unreleased tracks like : Blue eyes crying in the rain, The fool, Susan when she tried, Help me, Funny how time slips away and many many more.
Felton Jarvis sadly passed away early January 1981 even before the album came out.
This amazing 2lp set is accompanied by a cd with the best tracks from the sessions and a wonderful 45rpm containing HEY JUDE & SUSAN WHEN SHE TRIED.
Available in a very limited edition in purple or white vinyl.
Tracklisting
Side A
01 Hey Jude [KWA5 8237]
02 For Ol’ Times Sake [KWA5 8238]
03 Only The Strong Survive [Kwa 8240]
04 Blue Suede Shoes [KWA5 8242]
05 In The Ghetto [KWA5 8243]
06 Susan When She Tried [KWA5 8245]
07 Shake A Hand [KWA5 8248]
08 That’S What You Get For Loving Me [KWA5 8250]
Side B
01 Funny How Time Slips Away [KWA5 8251]
02 Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain [KWA5 8252]
03 Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall [KWA5 8253]
04 I’Ll Hold You In My Heart [KWA5 8554]
05 Help Me [KWA5 8555]
06 I’Ll Be There [KWA5 8559]
07 The Fool [KWA5 8560]
08 Burning Love [KWA5 8563]
Side C
01 If You Talk In Your Sleep [KWA5 8565]
02 Long Black Limousine [KWA5 8573]
03 Kentucky Rain [KWA5 8567]
04 For Ol’ Times Sake [KWA5 8238] With Tony Joe White
05 Help Me [KWA5 8555] With The Gatlin Brothers
06 Guitar Man [KWA5 8566] With Jerry Reed
07 Hey Jude [KWA5 8237] Different Mix No Echo
08 She Thinks I Still Care [ KWA5 8564] No Backing Vocals
Side D
01 She Thinks I Still Care [ KWA5 8564] With Backing Vocals
02 Guitar Man [KWA5 8566]
03 Too Much Monkey Business [KWA5 8236]
04 Lovin' Arms [KWA5 8247]
05 You Asked Me To [KWA5 8249]
06 In The Ghetto [KWA5 8249] (No Backing Vocals)
07 I'm Movin' On [KWA5 8246]
08 If You Talk In Your Sleep [KWA5 8565]
09 Susan Whe She Tried [KWA5 8245] Unedited (Dry Vocals)
Tracklisting CD:
01 Hey Jude [KWA5 8237]
02 For Ol’ Times Sake [KWA5 8238]
03 Only The Strong Survive [Kwa 8240]
04 Blue Suede Shoes [KWA5 8242]
05 In The Ghetto [KWA5 8243]
06 Susan When She Tried [KWA5 8245]
07 Shake A Hand [KWA5 8248]
08 That’S What You Get For Loving Me [KWA5 8250]
09 Funny How Time Slips Away [KWA5 8251]
10 Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain [KWA5 8252]
11 Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall [KWA5 8253]
12 I’Ll Hold You In My Heart [KWA5 8554]
13 Help Me [KWA5 8555]
14 I’Ll Be There [KWA5 8559]
15 The Fool [KWA5 8560]
16 Burning Love [KWA5 8563]
17 If You Talk In Your Sleep [KWA5 8565]
18 Kentucky Rain [KWA5 8567]
19 Long Black Limousine [KWA5 8573]
20 Guitar Man [KWA5 8566] With Jerry Reed
21 Help Me [KWA5 8555] With The Gatlin Brothers
22 For Ol’ Times Sake [KWA5 8238] With Tony Joe White
23 Lovin' Arms [KWA5 8247]
24 You Asked Me To [KWA5 8249]
45rpm:
A/ Help Me
B/ Susan When She Tried