Elvis Presley - The Albums and Singles Thread pt3 The Seventies

Somewhere in the fifth circle of hell Col. Parker is saying "Why didn't I think of that?"

 

Early Morning Rain
Written By :
Gordon Lightfoot

Recorded :
RCA's Studio B, Nashville, March 15-16, 1971 : March 15, 1971

I am a big fan of the Gordon Lightfoot stuff I am familiar with. I highly recommend the album Gord's Gold, for anyone interested in his work. It holds a place close to my heart, as it was one of my Mum's favourite albums, and I grew to love that album an awful lot.
Elvis does a great job of this song and it is styled fairly similar to the original.
We start with a really nice little acoustic guitar lick and move into a slightly quicker than moderate tempo ballad that bounces along like a country styled song should. We have very tasteful use of the backing vocals and harmonica.
Elvis' vocal is a relaxed, comfortable delivery, and that is the type of vocal this song needs. We are caressed through the story, rather than pushed or dragged. A great version of a masterfully written song.

 

Sylvia
Written By :
Geoff Stephens & Les Reed

Recorded :
RCA's Studio B, Nashville, June 4-9, 1970: June 8, 1970. take 8

This is a more typical seventies Elvis ballad. Personally I really like this song, and at this stage of the album, it is being rescued from the bewildering decisions made on the first half.
That's one of the frustrating thing about some of Elvis' albums to me. Here we have what would be a pretty good album, if more sensible song selections were made, and more thought was put into sequencing. If Parker and RCA had more of a clue, or actually gave a crap about their golden goose, this album would look a lot different.
I am by no means an expert on Elvis and what was available to use, but from what I can tell I would have done something a little more like this.

side 1
1 I Was Born about 10,000 Years Ago
2 Early Morning Rain
3 Put Your Hand In The Hand
4 Sylvia
5 I'm Leaving

side 2
1 Rags To Riches
2 Until It's Time For You To Go
3 We Can Make The Morning (but remix those damn backing vocals)
4 Fools Rush In
5 For The Good Times

Sure that isn't From Elvis In Memphis, but I think it is a much more solid album than than one they put out.

 

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

 

Damn, watching these videos just reminds me of how great Elvis really was when he wanted to be. What a performance. He came to my town (Detroit) in 1970 but I was only 13 and didn't even know he was in town. I did see him in '75 and '77 but that just wasn't the same.

 

Man I think this is one of Elvis' greatest vocal performances. I love this song and use it to show non fans who buy into the Elvis 70's caricature what Elvis was capable of in the 70's.

 

I like Orbison's songs one at a time. But play a bunch of his songs back to back and I get bored. Too much "sameness" to me. I think Elvis sounds great on that snippet of Running Scared and could've done a great version.

 

Mark The version of Early Morning Rain on Gord's Gold is not the original. The original was recorded on United Artist label so Lightfoot had to re-record his earliest hits on the Warner Bros album, including Early Morning Rain.

On the LP the first two sides (10 songs) were United Artist songs that he had to re-recorded for the Warner Bros label. It is said due to running time, Affair on 8th Ave had to be omitted on CD.

But the CD runs 72 minutes and Affair On 8th Ave runs 3:45, so with the improved running time of 80 minutes since this CD was made, it would fit on a CD these days

 

I thought he had rerecorded everything on there?

 

The harmonica on the album version of Early Morning Rain spoils the song for me. It's hokey and detracts from Elvis' vocal. My preferred version is the Aloha after-show performance (absolutely masterful vocal), though take 11 on I Sing All Kinds is almost as good:



Sylvia is the gem of the album, imo. Actually, I think it's one of Elvis' great hidden performances, with haunting restraint on the verses and all-out power on the choruses. It's a shame that it's buried in the middle of the side; whenever I play around with alternate sequences for Love Letters From Elvis, I always end up using Sylvia as the final number. Those horns at the end are the perfect way to close out an album.

 

I Sing All Kinds version:

 

Sylvia is a buried gem in the Elvis catalog. Not my favorite Elvis song, but far from the worst. Early Morning Rain is more well-known, appearing here and in the Aloha from Hawaii concert. Kind of a similar vibe to Gentle On My Mind, this isn’t a big power ballad like so much of the material from this period, and it’s better for it. Very effective understated delivery from Elvis. Lightfoot’s If You Could Read My Mind would have been another good tune for Elvis to tackle.

 

Elvis wanted to record Lightfoot's The Last Time I Saw Her. But the publishing snafu reared its ugly head.

 

Just the UA stuff. He nearly re-recorded all of the material of Volume 2, leaving only 4 original recordings.

 

Definitely

There are many Lightfoot songs that I could imagine Elvis doing.
If he had ever considered a folky album - Don Quixote
Canadian Railroad Trilogy (although being Canadian based, he probably wouldn't)
Carefree Highway
as well as what you mentioned also

 

The Last Time I Saw Her is my undisputed favorite Lightfoot song.

 

"Sylvia": In some past threads, some have referred to this one as lower tier 1970 material. However, I see there are a few here that really like it and I certainly always did. Before I purchased Elvis Now, I had a boot called "Plantation Rock" and this was my first exposure to the song. It helps that this song was recorded in 1970 when Elvis was still in strong voice and really belts out the "I'm WAITING for a word of love" part.

 

At some point I need to check out his regular releases. I kind of got Gord's Gold and sat on that one... I used to have a really good dvd recorded live in Reno, but I left it with my mum.

 

Side two of Elvis Now makes for a pretty good listen and if you replaced We Can Make The Morning with Until It's time For You To Go on side two, you actually have a pretty strong group of songs. Early Morning Rain is the type of song just built for Elvis to sing and clearly he loved it as he would return to it fairly often on both the Aloha special as a extra song filmed after the audience had left and during his very last concert tour filmed for Elvis In Concert. Elvis always seemed to sing it with conviction and some sense of melancholy. I was first exposed to the song through the country singer George Hamilton IV's hit version from 1966 and apparently the great harmonica player Charlie McCoy played on both stellar versions of the song. How often do we get do hear Elvis singing about being drunk on a song?

 

I can't believe that this song hasn't become something of a lost classic / fan favourite. It's an incredibly rousing, emotional song, What a chorus!

 

Here is a great 4 disc compilation:
https://www.amazon.com/Songbook-4CD...240993&s=music&sprefix=gordon+,aps,237&sr=1-4
And here is his complete studio recordings for UA:
https://www.amazon.com/United-Artis...241071&s=music&sprefix=gordon+,aps,237&sr=1-8

 

Cheers mate

 

You're welcome. My favorite album of his is Summer Side Of Life. It features the Jordanaires.