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Elvis Presley - Promised Land (2011)
EAC | Flac(Image) + Cue + Log & M4A(Tracks) & MP3 CBR 320Kbps
2CD | Follow That Dream, 506020-975019 | ~ 868 or 856 or 374 Mb | Covers(jpg, 300dpi) Included
Rock'n'Roll
Follow That Dream's 'Promised Land' completes the STAX trilogy and the 2-CD version is a addition to the growing catalogue of collectors releases. The 1974 released classic album includes: yearning ballads, funk, late night laments – and a burning Chuck Berry cover that could melt speaker grills. Elvis was a huge Chuck Berry fan and the feeling was mutual. There's a great story about Elvis and his entourage walking into the duck walking legends Vegas show around 1972-73, and sitting in a front row booth and calling out to him to play his favourite hits, Chuck duly obliged (Jerry Shilling book : Me and a Guy Named Elvis).
Elvis takes Chuck Berry's classic 1964 musical travelogue Promised Land and amps it in a rocking tour-de-force - and it's fantastic to hear takes 3, 4, powered by Ronnie Tutt's powerhouse drumming and James Burton's driving guitar. Elvis is working towards the master, but with a meticulous ear stops the song mid-intro, it's a fascinating moment and is a great example of how in control he was ... On the lyric he sings: 'there's an uncle who cares a lot about me' which is similar to the Berry classic, 'Memphis Tennessee' (also recorded by Elvis) – it's fascinating to hear him get to grips with the lyrics which are almost perfect except for the aforementioned 'uncle' lyric. He then nails it on the stunning high-octane Promised Land master (take 6), and a snippet of Columbus Stockade Blues is also sung before the intro. Columbus Stockade Blues is a traditional country song that dates back to the 1930s, Elvis d singing it, evident in his short rendition, but what if it had appeared on the Promised Land album proper? It's another highlight of the FTD release, but there's so much more ...
The heartbreaking ballad – It's Midnight - take 7 is gorgeous, but it has to be said all the takes offer something a little different, whether it's Elvis joking with his musicians (takes 1-4, 8), and the beautiful reading of the Billy Ed Wheeler's / Jerry Chesnut lyrics - Elvis sings: 'Where is all my self control, I'm burning way down in my soul, and needing you,' it's stunning, and beautifully written, it's one of the most overlooked ballads of his entire career; the delicate, emotive phrasing after the chorus: 'lord, I miss you' is heartfelt and poignant, with Elvis pouring his heart out in a masterly performance.
The album is a compelling listen with something for everyone. The funky If You Talk In Your Sleep take 5, with James Burton's bluesy, infectious guitar riff, is just delicious! But there's more on CD-2 with take 6 and 9 adding to the funky mix. Furthermore the sound is clear, defined, and detailed with every instrument in harmony. The sound is simply stunning! Hats off to Mr. Anesini especially after the reported sound difficulties.
More standouts: Love Song Of The Year (rehearsal) is great fun, Elvis is having a great time on this one, and it's sure to make you smile ... likewise Thinking About You rehearsal + take 2, & take 3, has it's moments too. On the 'The Making of' (CD-2), Elvis is letting loose and having fun in the moment and it's a sheer joy to hear.
The new Vic Anesini mixes reveal more detail and add a wonderful freshness to the recordings, all the songs benefit in a new light and one example is Love Song of The Year which, it or loathe it sounds good here. Wonderful lyrics, Elvis sings: 'That I let slip through my fingers like a golden breath of air. If I cared I wouldn't be singing this song of the year'. The 'golden breath' of air lyric is startling in its imagery – that's the magic of a great singer interpreting the simple but effecting lyric. Additionally, There's A Honky Tonk Angel's theme of neglected and the dimming of the home-fires has never sounded as good on take-1.
The Promised Land album is indeed a classic but by including the alternate album and 'the making of' – it's now widescreen ... To sum up, Elvis took us on a trip to the promised land that's one hell of a ride – Kudos to the FTD team for releasing the ultimate edition of a classic album.
Elvis Presley - Promised Land (2011):
Tracklist CD1:
The Original Album
01 - Promised Land
02 - There's A Honky Tonk Angel
03 - Help Me
04 - Mr. Songman
05 - Love Song Of The Year
06 - It's Midnight
07 - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming
08 - If You Talk In Your Sleep
09 - Thinking About You
10 - You Asked Me To
Session Highlights : The Alternate Album
11 - Promised Land (Takes 3-4)
12 - There's A Honky Tonk Angel (Take 4 & Splice Of Takes 5, 3, 8)
13 - Help Me (Undubbed Master, Take 1)
14 - Mr. Songman (Take 2)
15 - Love Song Of The Year (Rehearsal & Take 1)
16 - It's Midnight (Take 7)
17 - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (Take 10)
18 - If You Talk In Your Sleep (Take 5)
19 - Thinking About You (Take 4)
20 - You Asked Me To (Take 3A)
More Session Highlights
21 - Promised Land (Take 5)
22 - Love Song Of The Year (Takes 3-6)
23 - Love Song Of The Year (Take 7)
24 - It's Midnight (Take 11)
25 - You Asked Me To (Take 2B)
EAC Log
Tracklist CD2:
The Sessions : The Making Of
01 - It's Midnight (Takes 1-4, 8)
02 - It's Midnight (Take 9)
03 - Love Song Of The Year (Rehearsal)
04 - Thinking About You (Rehearsal & Take 2)
05 - Thinking About You (Take 3)
06 - You Asked Me To (Takes 1-2A)
07 - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (Takes 2-3)
08 - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (Take 4)
09 - Promised Land (Take 2)
10 - Mr. Songman (Take 1)
11 - There's A Honky Tonk Angel (Take 1)
12 - If You Talk In Your Sleep (Take 6)
13 - If You Talk In Your Sleep (Undubbed Master, Take 9)
14 - It's Midnight (Take 10)
15 - Thinking About You (Takes 5-6)
16 - Love Song Of The Year (Take 2)
17 - You Asked Me To (Take 3B)
18 - There's A Honky Tonk Angel (Takes 6-7)
19 - There's A Honky Tonk Angel (Rough Mix, Take 8)
20 - Mr. Songman (Takes 3, 5)
21 - Promised Land (Undubbed Master, Take 6)
22 - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (Take 8)
23 - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (Unedited Undubbed Master, Take 9)
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