Elvis Country (Remastered) - Elvis Presley > Reviews > Elvis Has left the Building

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	a great album
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Elvis Country

I’m sitting here at the PC (Ross’ PC) thinking about something to write about and on the stereo beside me Elvis Country is playing. I remember this from when I was young hm! Hm! Two or three years ago. I had the vinyl 33 LP. it had a picture of Elvis as a wee boy and I remember right he was two years old. In the original LP they included a postcard with Elvis and his Mum and Dad, Gladys and Vernon. Now I’m handing this over to Ross to do the technical jargon.

The version that I am referring to was released in 2000, and contains all twelve tracks from the original LP plus six other songs that were recorded at the same session. All songs were recorded at the same time. In 1970 Elvis held a marathon recording session that covered many albums. These include Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas, Elvis That’s the Way It Is, Elvis Now and Elvis Country. The following is a detailed account of the songs.

Snowbird

Written by Canadian singer-songwriter Gene McGellen. It is interesting to know that snowbird is a real bird, but can be slang in America for cocaine addict. This is a fantastic performance to start this album off. As far as I am aware Elvis only ever sang this song live once in ’71 and is on a bootleg called Snowbird. If this is wrong please correct me. A real foot-tapper and sets you in the mood. Overdubs used.
Undubbed alternate version on The Nashville Marathon.

Tomorrow Never Comes

Written by Earnest Tubs. Builds up into a right stomper. His voice is fantastic in this. I always wondered if this song was ever performed live? An alternate slower version can be found with one line of Roy Orbison’s Running Scared on the box set “Elvis – The Essential 70’s Masters

Whole Lot-Ta Shakin’ Goin’ On

Originally recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis. He is really enjoying himself on this track. A longer version can be found on “A Hundred Years From Now – Essential Elvis 4”

Funny How Time Slips Away

Written by Willie Nelson. Later on in his career he used this song to dedicate his fans. This is a love song that Elvis used in concert many times.

I Really Don’t Want to Know

Song about a lost love. Brilliant song to dance too. Can see him performing this live in 1970 on Elvis – The Lost Performances. Was not performed live again until 1977.

There Goes My Everything

Written by Dallas Fraser on the divorce of his two friends Reaches really high notes. It is interesting to note that in 1972 Elvis revamped this song and giving a gospel touch to the lyrics. It was renamed “He Is My everything. There Goes My Everything was also performed live and can be found “Elvis-The Lost Performances” and live versions can be found on the CDs Elvis The Concert, and a different version is found on “Elvis – Live In Las Vegas” This song was not performed live after 1971. Englbert Humperdink made the song famous.

Its Your Baby You Rock It

Written By Shirl Milete and Nora Flower. It’s a real up-tempo song. The take on the album is cut short as Elvis breaks up laughing as he sings, “Its Your baby, you shove it”. An Alternate take can be found on Elvis – The Nashville Marathon.

The Fool

This song Elvis fooled around with in the early 1960s. It is a real showstopper. He sounds really menacing. This song was a big hit for Ricky nelson in the 50’s. An early
60’s version can be found on Elvis A Golden Celebration. An alternate early take of the 1970 version can be found on Essential Elvis 4.

Faded Love

Another classic rock song. About a lost relationship. Not one of the most memorable songs for me, I prefer Snowbird, Tomorrow Never Comes. Felton Jarvis put a new backing track on this song and this can be found on the now deleted Guitar Man album and on the Follow That Dream CD “Too Much Monkey Business”.

I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water

This song is a story about a boy who did no good. Who was he? ELVIS! He seems to have great fun with this as half of this song was edited for the Elvis Country album and didn’t surface onto a BMG release until the Essential 70’s Masters in 1992. A rehearsal for this song can be found on the video Elvis-The Lost Performances and on the box-set Elvis-A Life In Platinum.

Make The World Go Away

Song made famous by Jim Reeves. A great way to finish off the album. Song about a lost love. Terrific song ending for a perfect album. Can be found live on Elvis-The Concert, Elvis Live In Las Vegas and the video Elvis-The Lost Performances.

Now back to Mam

Oh! Elvis honey your no fool
You really are so cool man cool
Your handsome face and lip that curled
You could your pick up any girl
Oh! Elvis man you are a rockin
Wish Santa’d left you in my stocking
I loose my breath when you gyrate
I could eat you off a plate
Your jet-black hair and eyes so blue
Who could help but worship you