Part 4 of the Elvis chronology
Who? And which songs inspired Elvis Presley? That's the subject and concept of this little series. Elvis Presley, his live performances, his roles in Hollywood movies, his outstanding comeback: unique. Elvis only made a few public appearances at the beginning of the '60s, before focusing entirely on his Hollywood film career and then successfully returning to the stage after all those wild years.
This album covers Elvis' creative period from 1967 to 1969, with his cover versions of previously released songs and originals arranged in chronological order. We shed light on perhaps the most innovative phase of his career, including the legendary NBC '68 Comeback Special, his mammoth Memphis sessions and the 1969 stage comeback in Las Vegas.
Rarities, demos and hits
Almost everyone knows the numerous Elvis Presley hits of the late 1960s; Guitar Man, U.S. Male, In The Ghetto, Suspicious Minds - the original recordings that inspired Elvis to create his versions are all included. Plus many rare recordings, such as by Vince Chu from Singapore, whose Blue Suede Shoes from 1967 comes pretty close to Elvis' 1969 live versions. We often provide rare originals and cover versions from the genres of R&B (Tommy Tucker, Jimmy Reed, LaVern Baker, Rufus Thomas), soul (Percy Mayfield, Jerry Butler, Chuck Jackson), country (Don Gibson, Jerry Reed, Bobby Bare, Vern Stovall) and rock 'n' roll (Bob Luman, Fred Mick & The Kingsmen, Charlie Rich and Jimmy 'Orion' Ellis) as well as pop icons (Neil Diamond, Bobby Darin, Mark James, Ray Charles, Andy Williams). The track and name list reflects these exciting and innovative years of Elvis, who celebrated one of the most important comebacks in pop history at the end of the sixties! The CD contains a 36-page color booklet with many rare pictures and illustrations as well as an accompanying text by German Elvis Presley expert Helmut Radermacher on each individual artist, written and enriched with a wealth of anecdotes on and about Elvis Presley.
1. Jerry Reed: Guitar Man
2. Jimmy Reed: Big Boss Man
3. Charlie Rich: Big Boss Man
4. Don Gibson: Just Call Me Lonesome
5. Tommy Tucker: Hi-Heel Sneakers
6. Ray Charles: You Don't Know Me
7. Andy Williams: You'll Never Walk Alone
8. Conway Twitty: You'll Never Walk Alone
9. Jerry Reed: U.S. Male
10. Mac Davis: A Little Less Conversation
11. Bob Luman: Guitar Man
12. LaVern Baker: Saved
13. Fred Mick & The Kingsmen: Baby, What You Want Me To Do
14. Rufus Thomas, Jr.: Tiger Man (King Of The Jungle)
15. Vince Chu & The Jungle Lynxs: Blue Suede Shoes
16. Vern Stovall: Long Black Veil
17. Bobby Bare: Long Black Limousine
18. Dallas Frazier: Wearin' That Loved On Look (Demo)
19. Ned Miller: From A Jack To A King
20. Mac Davis: In The Ghetto
21. Bobby Darin: I'll Be There
22. Mark James: Suspicious Minds
23. Percy Mayfield: Stranger In My Own Home Town
24. Neil Diamond: And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind
25. Jimmy Ellis: Kentucky Rain
26. Johnny Tillotson: It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'
27. Jerry Butler: Only The Strong Survive
28. Chuck Jackson: Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)