Review by David Tinson - Elvis Information Network
Follow That Dream's From Elvis At American Sound Studio 2xCD opens a door to the remarkable 1969 Memphis recording sessions. As a stand-alone release, it includes the remaining songs not originally available on the landmark FTD Classic Albums, Back In Memphis and From Elvis In Memphis, plus an additional thirty unreleased nuggets. Akin to admiring two beautiful paintings, and discovering a third, a clever compilation results in a pleasing listen which augments the stellar Memphis 1969 recording sessions trilogy with aplomb.
Standouts:
Ballad 101 - 'Kentucky Rain', and the huge worldwide hit, 'Don't Cry Daddy’ / ‘Rubberneckin', a #6 hit on Billboard's Hot 100, mixed with the sentimental gospel-tinged, 'Mama Liked The Roses'. In addition, there's a fabulous bluesy piano on an unreleased Take 2 of 'If I'm A Fool (For Loving You)'; rhythm and blues pop sensibilities on 'Rubberneckin'; an addictive sitar workout on the 'You'll Think Of Me' takes and, hinting at what might have been, two interesting unreleased rhythm and blues-soaked instrumentals to boot.
All are backed American Sound studio owner, Chips Moman, and his crack studio session band, who backed Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, Wilson Picket, and a roster of further artists on countless hits from the sixties and early seventies...
The Memphis January and February 1969 sessions provided some of Elvis' biggest hits - tough soul, pop, country, rhythm and blues, and ballads all feature on a remarkable run of hit singles. Elvis asked Chips Moman: “We've done some hits, haven't we Chips?” “Maybe some of your biggest”. Chips replied.
Various selections have appeared on previous releases: Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology 2xCD set (the instrumental - vocal intro only of 'Poor Man's Gold').
Besides, there's a pool of selections from the Memphis Sessions FTD and From Nashville To Memphis: The Essential 60s Masters box-set.
However, every song shines with a wonderful new sonic sheen, mastered by Sebastian Jeansson and Vic Anesini, resulting in an enhanced listening experience.
Disc One
A worldwide smash, reaching #16 on Billboard's Hot 100 - 'Kentucky Rain’ / ‘My Little Friend', thrills with piano fills that leap from the speakers.
More highlights:
Adding poignancy, the ringing church bells and the gospel-flavoured spoken passage during 'Mama Liked The Roses', sounds wonderful here. Elvis says: “You know, I kept the family Bible, with a rose she saved inside. It's pressed between the pages, like it found a place to hide”. A tender hearted song that was the A-side of 'The Wonder Of You' single (1970).
Bonus Track
The aforementioned instrumentals indicate what might have been: “One, two, three, four”, and 'Memory Revival' sparks into life - on drums, session ace Gene Chrisman drives the song with the watchdog of Hades snapping at his heels - @5 secs in, Elvis' shouts: “Alright!”
Bobby Emmons’ organ and a solid bass add to a lively instrumental track. Penned by Frazier and Owens (writer of rhythm and blues stomper 'Wearin’ That Loved On Look' and the revered, ‘True Love Travels On Gravel Road'), sadly though, Elvis didn't cut a lead vocal.
January Outtakes
Furthermore, rhythm and blues chops abound on the Mike Millius and Don Thomas penned 'Come Out, Come Out (Wherever You Are?)'. The song could have been an interesting addition had Elvis recorded a lead vocal. We can only envisage what might have been significant additions to the acclaimed Memphis recordings...
First Takes (Standouts)
Unreleased outtakes on a work-in-progress 'Kentucky Rain' - Takes 1, 2 and 3, stripped back with drums, in particular, to the fore. More: 'I'll Be There' intro with Elvis asking guitarist, Reggie Young to play the intro riff. And although subtle - two superb organ solos over the first two unreleased versions.
More Highlights
The delicious, bluesy piano on 'If I'm A
Fool (For Loving You)'. Tommy Cogbill's gutbucket bass, and Reggie Young's lead guitar intro on 'Rubberneckin' (Takes 1 and 2) - “Stop! Look and listen baby, that's my philosophy” - play it loud!
January Outtakes
Felton Jarvis or Chips asks: “Reggie, in some of the verses you were playing some fills - jump in here fool!” Reggie Young works out the sitar intro with subtle guitar licks and a teasing flash of the whammy bar before leading the band through a delicious Take 7 of ’You'll Think Of Me', complete with additional sitar licks. Moreover, there's melancholia on 'Poor Man's Gold' - an abandoned vocal with reflective instrumental passages - and it's such a shame Elvis didn't finish this beautiful sounding track. (No doubt Lisa Marie was in his thoughts when he sang the opening lines: “It's the feeling I get, looking down at my brand new baby…”)
However, at this point, Elvis heard a fire engine in the background and left the studios in a fit of laughter without finishing his lead vocal.
The January Outtakes feature 'Mama Liked The Roses' (vocal overdub #1, with harmony vocal overdub); a solid 'In The Ghetto' Take 19; some sloppy Elvis vocals on a loose 'Hey Jude'; and more 'I'll Be There' takes to conclude.
Disc Two : February Outtakes
'It's My Way (Of Loving You)' / 'This Time' / 'I Can't Stop Loving You' (Jam). Elvis says: “I'll just jump in whenever I get a chance” - and the tune eventually becomes a loose jam of 'I Can't Stop Loving You' complete with additional organ, piano fills and Elvis' bluesy, swaggering delivery.
“How many girls choose cotton dressed worlds, when they could have satins and lace?” - the lyrical magic of the Frazier / Owens song - 'True Love Travels On A Gravel Road' which includes insightful interaction between Elvis and the producer.
A beautiful ‘Do You Know Who I Am?' (Takes 3 and 5) shows his clear sounding voice on a sparse arrangement before his discipline slips to finish Take 5.
More
Failing to hit the bullseye on soulful takes of 'Only The Strong Survive', 'Any Day Now' and 'Long Black Limousine', his frustration evident on the former with his “son-of-a bitch” comment.
Additional cuts include more studio dialogue and a piano stripped back, and undubbed, master of 'Mama Liked The Roses'.
Note: Although not included on Back In Memphis and From Elvis In Memphis, the home for the aforementioned hit recordings eventually became the budget 1970s RCA Camden albums: Let's Be Friends ('I'll Be There' and 'If I'm A Fool (For Loving You)’. Regular RCA release - Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits. Vol. 1 - ('Suspicious Minds', 'Don't Cry Daddy' and 'Kentucky Rain') - Almost In Love ('Rubberneckin' and 'My Little Friend'). Elvis’ Christmas Album ('Mama Liked The Roses'). The gospel -tinged 'Who Am I?' featured on You'll Never Walk Alone. Finally 'Hey Jude', an inclusion on the regular RCA Elvis Now studio album. (In spite of being budget releases, these albums are fan favourites.)
The Classic Album and Booklet
There are wonderful photos of Elvis from the era: in particular a striking cover shot and a stunning “1968 Comeback Special” photo (gospel segment) on the back cover of the album. Inside the booklet, we get an insightful essay explaining the album concept and more interesting rare photos. The centre spread features the 1970 Billboard Hot 100 chart positions with Elvis in good company: Brook Benton, Led Zeppelin, Dionne Warwick, The Jackson Five, and Peter Paul and Mary, for starters. In addition, there are various captivating Elvis 45RPM single covers. It’s a beautiful presentation in every respect.
All things considered - with fresh “in-the-studio” sound - Follow That Dream's in-depth treatment of the additional Memphis studio material completes an expanded musical compendium. From Elvis At Memphis Sound Studio FTD adds additional beef to the exceptional Memphis 1969 recordings - and completes a period of innate productivity that Elvis would struggle to match in the subsequent jumpsuit years.
Totally essential!
