Elvis Gospel Music Appreciation Thread

I want that played at my funeral, no joke. This song just makes me feel, well, something. Elvis is Back is my favorite Elvis, here he has that band, that effortless swing, he's at the height of his singing and control.

I wish the whole album, and all of his gospel stuff, worked for me as well, but for most of it, it's alright, an essential part of knowing who Elvis as a singer was, but doesn't connect with me.

The one other gospel song of his I can't get enough of, that I play over and over, is Run On. That one is fantastic.

 

Me too, exact same story

 

Great point and I almost once started a thread comparing How Great Thou Art to Pepper for 1967

 

Thanks. I really did type under search Elvis Gospel but probably didn't scroll far enough. Still, I'm pleasantly surprised by the quick amount of positive feedback

 

Wow Milky White Way and Run On were always the two I played the most too, even when not listening to other Gospel material

 

When I was a little kid "Run On" was my absolute favorite song. I would get so excited everytime that song came on. I would always stand up and sing along. After it was over I would be so excited that I would run allbover the house!!

We had the 8-Tracks of HGTA and HHIM and the "You'll Never Walk Alone" LP. I didn't hear HTM until years later.

 

Yeah my Mon had HGTA and HHIM on vinyl but now I see 2 album covers for HHIM on Google and both look familiar to me. I'm pretty sure we had the most recognizable cover with Elvis at the organ but there is the other one with just his face from that photo but in a circle with a sky background. Maybe that one was a later edition or the sleeve for a single.

 

This is the image on the 8-track we had. Purchased in the mid-70's.

 

You can understand why Gram Parsons was such a huge fan of Elvis. They both recorded gospel flavoured songs with immense purity, and also with heartfelt sincerity that can bring tears to your eyes.

 

Okay so that's the 8 track, makes sense. So this is the vinyl then

 

I would have to check eBay, but I think they changed the LP art as well.

EDIT:
They indeed changed the LP art. It has "Elvis Presley His Hand In Mind" in a red font with all the song titles printed underneath.

The aforementioned 8-track. This image brings back memories. Haven't seen it in ages!!

 

So now the important question. Which do you prefer?

 

Gotta go with the original and the "Living Stereo" banner:

 

Gotta love gospel Elvis. I played "His Hand in Mine" a lot in the 80s. I have the LP. And "How Great Thou Art" on CD.

 

Fantastic thread. Gospel Elvis has always sound to me as Sam Cooke´s Stirrers flip side. Like choirs ascending to God from two different churches across the same street.

 

Yes, so allow me to offer you the mono alternative

 

Love it all. How Great Thou Art the album is constantly played here. And I'm an atheist.

 

Lol that's the greatest statement I've ever read on this forum. If that doesn't speak to the greatness of Elvis nothing will

 

Great thread. My favorite moment in Elvis On Tour is the scene with Elvis listening to The Stamps sing Sweet Sweet Spirit. I am so glad this made the final cut of the movie:

 

Oh man. When Ed hits that "and we'll lift our hearts in praise" line I get tingles down my spine. Fantastic performance and just a great tenor voice.

 

My favorite from today. Elvis' phrasing is penticostal tamborine shakin that only a person who was raised in that atmosphere can do.. johnn cash does this one also. But I like Elvis' best.

 

Great thread I'm playing catch up with I recently collected various versions (LP) of "His Hand In Mine". with no conclusion to prefrences of the copies I have. It has warmed my soul I must say ......

 

HOW GREAT THOU ART ... Stand out song for me and boy there is a few to choose from, is this beautiful version of

 

Appreciate the many members who have stated that this was a great thread

 

"Where Could I Go But To The Lord" has an excellent production. Elvis Presley's sublime and understated singing is reminiscent (to me) of the great vocals he tracked a few nights before with Dylan's "Tomorrow Is A Long Time".