Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Another great A and B side - what a great follow up to Burning Love. Two great singles in a row for the first time in a while.

 

Always On My Mind
(US) RCA 74-0815
Released: October 31, 1972
Recorded: RCA Studio C, Hollywood, March 29, 1972



Written By :
Mark James, Johnny Christopher and Wayne Carson Thompson

Recorded :
RCA's Studio C, Hollywood, March 27-30, 1972 : March 29, 1972. take 1

I personally think this is a fine song, and a fine arrangement. Yes I like Willie Nelson's version, because I like Willie Nelson, but I think Elvis, even in his somewhat lesser years, was a much finer singer than Willie.
I think the arrangement here is excellent, and although I think the backing vocals are a little bit stiff, the song itself comes over very well.
Not a top ten Elvis song with all likelihood, but a classic Elvis song nonetheless.

 

SEPARATE WAYS (LP)
(US) RCA Camden CAS 2611
Released: December 1972



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There seem to be a couple of release dates listed, some say Jan. 73. Some say Dec 72. I am not going to quibble about that, Dec. 72 works and will be what I go with for now.
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Separate Ways is a 1973 compilation album issued by RCA Records from American singer and musician Elvis Presley.

Released on the budget RCA Camden label one month after another similar compilation, Burning Love and Hits from His Movies, Volume 2, Separate Ways was the second and final attempt by RCA to repackage older Elvis recordings by pairing them with a recent chart hit, in this case "Separate Ways" and its flipside "Always On My Mind".

Separate Ways peaked on the Billboard chart at number 46 and the Country Album chart at number 12 on its release and has since gone on to sell over 3 million copies worldwide.[1] It was certified gold on March 27, 1992, and platinum on January 6, 2004, by the RIAA.[2]

Next to "Separate Ways" and "Always On My Mind" the remainder of the album — which was not promoted as a compilation on the front cover — consisted of previously released recordings from 1960s Presley film soundtracks, plus one song, "Old Shep", originally issued on Elvis' second album, released in 1956. In the mid 1970s, The Pickwick Records reissue label leased the rights to reissue several albums from the RCA catalog. Separate Ways appeared on the Pickwick label utilizing the original RCA Camden catalog number, CAS-2611. The album contents and cover art are the same as the original RCA issue. After Presley's death in 1977, RCA soon reclaimed the rights to their Pickwick/Camden recordings. In 1991, Separate Ways was reissued for the first time on compact disc in Canada on the RCA Camden label. RCA reissued the album on CD again in 2006 as part of a reissue series featuring most of Presley's RCA Camden albums.

Side one
1. "Separate Ways" Richard Mainegra, Red West March 27, 1972 2:38
2. "Sentimental Me" Jimmy Cassin, Jim Morehead March 12, 1961 2:34
3. "In My Way" (from Wild in the Country) Ben Weisman, Fred Wise November 7, 1960 1:24
4. "I Met Her Today" Hal Blair, Don Robertson October 15, 1961 2:45
5. "What Now, What Next, Where To?" Hal Blair, Don Robertson May 26, 1963 1:59
Side two
1. "Always on My Mind" Johnny Christopher, Mark James, Wayne Carson March 29, 1972 3:41
2. "I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell" (from Wild in the Country) Ben Weisman, Fred Wise November 8, 1960 1:38
3. "It Is So Strange" Faron Young January 19, 1957 2:31
4. "Forget Me Never" (from Wild in the Country) Ben Weisman, Fred Wise November 7, 1960 1:38
5. "Old Shep" Red Foley September 2, 1956 4:10
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This is a similar compilation to the previous, using the recent a and b side with a bunch of movie tracks, and Old Shep from the second album ..... which seems like a silly idea to be honest, but nonetheless what they went with.

On paper I think it stand up better than The previous one, but is still somewhat ponderous.

You know the deal.... let us know your thoughts on this one.

Cheers
Mark

 

SEPARATE WAYS / ALWAYS ON MY MIND
Even if I agree about the sheer quality of both recordings, I do not think that this single was a great follow-up to BURNING LOVE. After a much awaited live/event album and a good single, Elvis went back to the ballads territory killing the rocker momentum that was being pretty successful. Perhaps that is the reason why SEPARATE WAYS / ALWAYS ON MY MIND stalled at #20 on the Billboard Charts.
As a personal note, I've got to say that I very much prefer the "Elvis On Tour" version of ALWAYS ON MY MIND over the single one. The naked, undubbed approach is really effective here, giving some sincerity to the actual performance. Tutt drums work is stunning there too.

 

I'm a fan of this album. The songs are a much better collection than the Burning Love compilation in my humble and when I first encountered it, I had none of the songs.
Love the echo laden 'Is it so Strange' and 'I met her today'. Yup, I'm a fan...

 

Here is the mix with overdubbed strings and brass that were later removed for the released stereo version.


A mix containing these overdubbed were released on the Always On Mind compilation from 1985. It's a different mix and without the piano intro. It was also released on UK. compilations The All Time Greatest Hits from 1987 and The Essential Collection from 1994.

The promo mono mix also contains some of the strings overdubs not found in the stereo version.

 

I prefer this version from the Elvis On Tour rehearsal sessions. This version was released on the This Is Elvis with overdubs. The undubbed version was released on The Great Perdormances from 1990 and on the FTD Elvis On Tour - The Rehearsals.

 

Yep, I agree: that one is the best.

 

Separate Ways - I think it's a great single, but much prefer the Elvis On Tour film version... pretty sure it's also on CD Elvis On Tour: The Rehearsals (FTD). The single's use of a close harmony vocal on the choruses feels not quite right for this song.

Always On My Mind - another sad classic: while I try not to read too much into or out of an artist's personal life, the pairing of these songs--especially with the lyrics of Separate Ways--does make this seem like an overt 'divorce' release.

 

The Fifties Easy Reference guide
Elvis Presley the Albums and Singles Thread *

1959 - Feb 10 1964 - Reference guide -
Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt2 The Sixties

April 1964 - Sept 1967
Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt2 The Sixties

October 1967 - December 1969
Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt2 The Sixties

 

Reference Guide

Jan 27 1970
Kentucky Rain/ My Little Friend Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Apr 1970
Lets Be Friends - Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 Stay Away Joe Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 If I'm A Fool For Loving you Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 Lets Be Friends Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Lets Forget About The Stars Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 Mama Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 I'll Be There Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 Almost Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 Change Of Habit Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 Have A Happy Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Apr 20 1970
The Wonder Of You/ Mama Liked the Roses Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

June 1970
On Stage - Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 See See Rider Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 Release Me Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 Sweet Caroline Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Runaway Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 The Wonder Of You Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 Polk Salad Annie Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 Yesterday Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 Proud Mary Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 Walk A Mile In My Shoes Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 10 Let It Be Me Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

July 1970
I've Lost You/ The Next Step Is Love Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

August 1970
Worldwide Fifty Gold Award Hits vol 1 - Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

August 1970
Elvis Christmas Album (Camden) - Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

October 1970
Almost In Love Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

October 6 1970
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me/Patch It Up Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

October 1970
Elvis in Person Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

October 1970
Back In Memphis Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

November 11 1970
That's The Way It Is Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 I Just Can't Help Believin' Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 Twenty Days And Twenty Nights Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 How The Web Was Woven Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Patch It Up Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 Mary In The Morning Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 You Don't Have To Say You Love Me Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 I've Lost You Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 Just Pretend Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 10 Stranger In The Crowd Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 11 The Next Step Is Love Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 12 Bridge Over Troubled Water Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

December 8 1970
I Don't Really Want To Know/ There Goes My Everything Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

January 7 1971
Elvis Country (I Was Born 10,000 Years Ago) - Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 Snowbird Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 Tomorrow Never Comes Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 Little Cabin On the Hill Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Whole Lotta Shakin Going On Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 Funny How Time Slips Away Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 I Really Don't Want To Know Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 There Goes My Everything Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 It's Your Baby, You Rock It Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 The Fool Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 10 Faded Love Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 11 I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 12 Make The World Go Away Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

February 23 1971
Rags To Riches/Where Did They Go Lord Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

March 22 1971
You'll Never Walk Alone - Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 Who Am I Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 Let Us Pray Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

March 1971
Life/Only Believe Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

June 16 1971
Love Letters From Elvis Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 Love Letters Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 When I'm Over You Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 If I Were You Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Got My Mojo Working/Keep Your Hands Off It Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 Heart Of Rome Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 Only Believe Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 This Is Our Dance Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 Cindy Cindy Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 I'll Never Know Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 10 It Ain't No Big Thing Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 11 Life Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

June 22 1971
I'm Leavin/ Heart Of Rome Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

July 1971
C'mon Everybody - Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

August 1971
The Other Sides - Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2 - Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Sept 21 1971
It's Only Love/The Sound Of Your Cry Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Oct 1971 I Got Lucky Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Oct 20 1971 The Wonderful World Of Christmas Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 O Come All Ye Faithful Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 The First Noel Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 On a Snowy Christmas Night Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Winter Wonderland Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 The Wonderful World Of Christmas Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 It Won't Seem Like Christmas Without You Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 I'll Be Home On Christmas Day Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 It I Get Home On Christmas Day Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 10 Merry Christmas Baby Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 11 Silver Bells Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Nov 9 1971
Merry Christmas Baby/ O Come All Ye Faithful Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Jan 4 1972
Until It's Time For You To Go/ We Can Make The Morning Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Feb 1972 Elvis Now Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 Help Me Make It Through The Night Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 Miracle Of The Rosary Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 Hey Jude Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Put Your Hand In The Hand Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 Until It's Time For You To Go Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 We Can Make The Morning Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 Early Morning Rain Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 Sylvia Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 Fools Rush In Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 10 I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Feb 29 1972
He Touched Me/ Bosom Of Abraham

April 1 1972 He Touched Me Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 He Touched Me Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track to
track 2 I've Got Confidence Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 Amazing Grace Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Seeing Is Believing Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 He Is My Everything Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 Bosom Of Abraham Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 An Evening Prayer Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 Lead Me, Guide Me Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 There Is No God But God Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 10 Thing Called Love Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 11 I John Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 12 Reach Out To Jesus Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

MSG press conference and other bits and pieces Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

April 4 1972
American Trilogy/The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

June 1972 Elvis Sings His Hits From The Movies Vol 1 Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

June 1972 Elvis As Recorded at MSG Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 1 Also Sprach Zarathustra Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 2 That's Alright Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 3 Proud Mary Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 4 Never Been To Spain Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 5 You Don't Have To Say You Love Me Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 6 You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 7 Polk Salad Annie Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 8 Love Me Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 9 All Shook up Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 10 Heartbreak Hotel Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 11 Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 12 Love Me Tender Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 13 Impossible Dream Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 14 Hound Dog (+introductions) Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 15 Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 16 For The Good Times Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 17 An American Trilogy Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 18 Funny How Times Slips Away Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 19 I Can't Stop Loving You Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 20 Can't Help Falling In Love Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies
track 21 End Theme Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies thanks @Pelvis Ressley

August 1 1972
Burning Love/ It's A Matter Of Time Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

October 1972 BURNING LOVE AND HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 2 Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

October 31 1972 (my fourth birthday )
Separate Ways/Always On My Mind Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

December 1972 Separate Ways Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

 

Mark I agree, one of my complaints about the Albums Collection set, is that they did not include EVERY lifetime album (not including TV offer albums or record club albums). I would have gone so far as to include both the LPM-1951 Christmas album, the Camden Christmas album and WWGAH v1 and v2, Legendary Performer V1 and V2 (the other two were posthumous), The Sun Sessions (with the superior Kevan Budd masters, and NOT the crap used on A Date With Elvis and For LP Fans Only), Welcome To My World, Pure Gold, and the other missing Camdens. But the logic they used as to why they did not--does make sense. They did not want to be redundant. But it deprives us of the artwork they would have carefully recreated for the missing albums.

 

I guess they may have some rationalisations, but it seems they were dead set on having sixty discs in there.
It is very nice that the sixtieth anniversary set had sixty discs, but that seems to pale in comparison to just putting it all there. I don't really understand the sesame street mentality that goes into the numbers matching.

 

The Separate Ways LP does have a superior collection of songs over Burning Love and the first volume of Hits From His Movies for sure. The only stinker is Old Shep. It includes 3 Wild In The Country Songs, two of which are from Elvis For Everyone. I Met Her Today is also from that album.

Both sides of the single are pretty good. I prefer Always On My Mind however. And NO I DO NOT like Willie Nelson's version. His voice along with John Denver's drives me out of the room.

 

Separate Ways and Always On My Mind are fine songs and performances, albeit a bit too depressing for me to want to listen to them all that often. My go-to version of AOMM is the 7" single mix by the Pet Shop Boys (the album version is too sprawling for me). Willie Nelson's version doesn't do anything for me; actually, it actively gets on my nerves.

 

He is certainly not for everyone lol

 

I concur. Maybe just the cover for LPM-1951 though, then you could pick and choose your default favourite!

 

The label artwork would be different too though. While I am at it let me take this opportunity to AGAIN complain they used the wrong label artwork for Roustabout!!! It should have been a "Silver top" like Kissin Cousins and not "white top" like Girl Happy.

 

I mostly like the Separate Ways album, but the slow WITC songs and Old Shep knock it down a few notches and make it seem to drag a bit. I'm guessing they were going for a country-flavoured comp? It doesn't quite make it, but it's enjoyable enough.

 

That is beautifully demented

 

Yeah I could not find one where he counts to 60, so I went for entertainment value.

 

The song is fine, the band is great, the arrangement is great. Elvis' vocals are not so great. I does not sound like the Elvis I grew up with. It sounds like an imitation. That is my objection.

 

The problem was that there was no suitable Burning Love follow-up; the recording was an anomaly in 1972. Still, Separate Ways, as good as it is, was not really single material, especially considering it is not particularly well-produced. Not that sparse, acoustic-driven ballads could not be successful on mainstream radio during the early 1970's (clearly they could), but Elvis' insistence or Jarvis' assumption that a gospel quartet should add vocal accompaniment to the recording was misguided.

I agree about Always On My Mind; the EOT rehearsal/mock recording version is superior. I have never particularly liked the bloated master because of the arrangement and post-production overdubs.

The reality is that Elvis had a couple of nice pieces of material to work with, but the arrangements and production kept the recordings from reaching their potential.

 

Ok, it is a common theme here in the seventies thread - "The Overdubs"

Although there are several I am not keen on, due to generally, backing vocals mixed a little high, or recorded unevenly, I am not overly bothered by the overdubs. I can, by the same token though, say that I probably, generally prefer the undubbed masters...

Now this leads me to wondering, as I am often want to do.

Are the overdubs something that they had just gotten in the habit of doing, and felt that they had to, because that's what they do?
Were recordings being rushed, due to Elvis' apparent lack of enthusiasm, later on in the piece?
Was Felton trying to imprint his name on history, as having a particular style?
Was Elvis insistent on having the overdubs because he had a picture in his mind of what he wanted?
Was it just a means of feeding the flock and giving everyone more stuff to do?

Any ideas guys? Any better ideas than those?