Elvis Collector's Gold

"ELVIS / LOVING YOU"

Reviewed by: George Nelson 2002/05/19

RCA / BMG 67452-2 1997

THIS REVIEW FEATURES ANOTHER ALBUM THIS TIME WITH THE 1997 UPGRADE OF THE 1957 ALBUM LOVING YOU. THE UPGRADED VERSION CONTAINED THE SAME COVER AS THE ORIGINAL LP RELEASE OPPOSED TO THE RE-RELEASE COVER THAT HAD A BLUE BORDER AROUND THE PICTURE. IT ALSO CONTAINED AN 8-PAGE BOOKLET WITH SOME GREAT PHOTOS FROM THE MOVIE AND SOME BEHIND THE SCENES INFORMATION. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THIS RELEASE CONTAINED 8 BONUS TRACKS. THE CD ALSO HAD IMPROVED SOUND.

Loving you was suppose to be a soundtrack recording. It turned out to be mostly a studio recording. We start on January 12, 1957. Elvis enters Radio Recorders in Hollywood to start work on some new recordings. Elvis starts with a song called Tell Me Why. The echo effect makes this song. This song was not in the movie.

Next up was Got a lot o' livin' to do! It's a fast up tempo tune that appeared in the film. Only problem is this version is't heard in the film at all. If it wasn't for the final version in the film, also on this album, then no one would have a clue what he sings at the end of the song because it is done so fast.

The next day, January 13, 1957 Elvis did a song called Mean Woman Blues once again a version that did not appear in the movie. Another version appeared in the movie that would not be released until 1981 on the 'This is Elvis' soundtrack. Mean Woman Blues starts out this album and I must say, they couldn't have chosen a better track to open it with. A very bluesy rendition of the song. During these January sessions Radio Recorders were making back up tapes that were using the Binaural, or early stereo, process. All Outtakes that survived and even the master take of Mean woman blues are in that format.

Then next up is I beg of you. This song was re-recorded on February 23, because Elvis did not like the results of this version. RCA chose the February version as the official release. BMG decided to use take 12 from the January sessions for this CD. It's a Rocking' version, where as the original release was more laid back.

The next few songs the recording dates are unknown. They were recorded January 15 through the 18 at the Paramount Scoring Stage. The first song recorded was the first version of Party. This version of Party did not appear on the original release and remained Shelved until 1988's Essential Elvis release.I Feel it in my Leg, I Feel it in my Shoe, So tell me pretty baby if you think you feel it too so different and more powerful than the released version. It appears on the Loving you soundtrack for the first time on this release.

Lonesome cowboy is a slow tempo song and one of the few versions used in the film. This is the song where in the movie at the end I ain't even got a nickel to call my baby on the phone and the girl jumps up and says What's ya numbah hunny I'll call ya.

A song that became a single from this film is a song that wasn't even going to be in the film until Hal Wallis heard it. Hal Wallis loved it so much he insisted it be in the film. Teddy Bear found its way on the album. After Elvis did this song Elvis received hundreds of stuffed animals. The next two recordings weren't even released during Elvis' lifetime. One Night of Sin seemed to controversial at the time because of the words. It would be re-recorded as One Night (With you). It was first released on Elvis a Legendary Performer, vol. 4. Blueberry Hill, the 2nd version on this CD sounds like an acetate. It's haunting melody, slows the song down to where seems almost like a depressing number. It remained unreleased until 1997's Platinum. Hot Dog appeared in the movie, but only as a medley with the other Elvis tracks. It's not one Elvis' best.

The next song also comes from an acetate source but it's been cleaned up since the Essential Elvis CD. Got a lot o' livin' to do, the final version from the film, Is a really wild version of this song. This is the version at the end of the film where Elvis jumps into the audience and you can see his mother and father clapping to the music.

On January 19, 1957 Elvis went back to radio recorders and recorded more album tracks. None of these songs were in the film at all. Blueberry hill was recorded and this is the master take heard on the original LP. This is more up tempo and is a joy to listen to.

Have I told you lately that I love you is a very cool song. Not too upbeat, but not to the point where you're falling asleep listening to it. It's just a good song.

Is it so Strange is a very catchy tune. He had done a rendition in December of 1956 at sun studios, at what is now known as the million dollar quartet. He said It stayed at my house for ages man, I never did see it ... It did not make the original LP. Instead it was released onA Date With Elvis' LP in 1959.

January 22, 1957 Elvis returned to Paramount Scoring Stage and recorded the master of Party. This version to, appeared in the movie. Some people like to rock, some people like to roll... This version, even though it was the same song was totally different, including tempo and wording.

On February 14 Elvis returned to Radio Recorders and cut two versions of the song Loving you. Neither version made it on the original album. Take 21 of the up tempo version is heard on this release.

February 23 and 24 brought 7 more recordings, 5 of which appear on this CD. None of the songs appeared in the film. Don't leave me know, which would be re-recorded for Jailhouse Rock, and true love appeared on the original album.

Loving You, the master take recorded at this session. Seemed like an almost different song after they made a new arrangement. A very good performance by Elvis. Finally this session ends with a re-make of When it Rains it Really Pours. The first version had been recorded at Sun Records, just before he signed with RCA. The original Loving You LP only contained 7 songs that were in the film and 5 bonus tracks.

ORIGINAL 1957 TRACK LISTING:

MEAN WOMAN BLUES / TEDDY BEAR / LOVING YOU / GOT A LOT O' LIVIN' TO DO! / LONESOME COWBOY / HOT DOG / PARTY / BLUEBERRY HILL / TRUE LOVE / DON'T LEAVE ME NOW / HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU / I NEED YOU SO

1997 TRACK LISTING:

MEAN WOMAN BLUES / TEDDY BEAR / LOVING YOU / GOT A LOT O LIVIN TO DO! / LONESOME COWBOY / HOT DOG / PARTY / BLUEBERRY HILL / TRUE LOVE / DONT LEAVE ME NOW / HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU / I NEED YOU SO / TELL ME WHY / IS IT SO STRANGE / ONE NIGHT OF SIN / WHEN IT RAINS IT REALLY POURS / I BEG OF YOU (alternate master) / PARTY (alternate master) / LOVING YOU (up tempo version) / GOT A LOT O LIVIN TO DO! (finale)