Elvis at Stax: Deluxe Edition

RCA/Legacy Recordings

Legacy Recordings continues their celebration of the granddaddy of Rock and Roll with Elvis at Stax: Deluxe Edition. Releasing just before the anniversary of his death, this three CD set features the Memphis studio sessions from forty years ago. The recordings took place in July and December of 1973 and were largely released on the albums Raised on Rock/For Ol’ Time Sake (1973), Good Times (1974), and Promised Land (1975). Many of these takes have been released on reissues and special editions before but never in a cohesive collection such as this. In addition to the three CD deluxe set, a single disc highlight CD and a 180 gram vinyl edition will be released simultaneously.

Disc one of this set features both the R&B and Country sessions from July of 1973. It’s kind of odd to hear both styles back to back but it’s really striking to hear how much fun these guys seem to be having on these outtakes. I mean, it’s the little things, bits of laughter, heckling, etc. that really makes this feel special to me. It’s a reminder that these were real people, despite the fact that they changed the world with their music. Highlights for me on this disc include the old school, southern rhythm and blues of “Find Out What’s Happening (Takes 8-7)” and the authentic country “There’s a Honky Tonk Angel” that remind you that people like Red Sovine, George Jones, and Mel Tillis were certainly influenced by Presley’s take on the genre, and perhaps vice versa.

Disc two features the Pop recordings, which by today’s standards is hardly Pop, and the masters from July of 1973. While I enjoy disc one a lot, this one strikes me a bit more. Presley just sounds really amazing on this collection of songs and one can only speculate that it’s due to his involvement primarily in movies during the preceding decade. The highlights here for me are the South of the Border suave of “Spanish Eyes” and the even-keeled, vocal driven “Girl of Mine” (whose guitar licks have a bit of an island flare if you listen closely. I would have loved to have heard this done with a ukulele!) from the Pop sessions. From the masters versions it’s hard to beat “For Ol’ Time Sake”  which comes closer to contemplative introspection than almost any song from the seventies. The bluesy “Three Corn Patches” is another highlight and finds Presley singing just different enough from his usual croon that it commands your attention immediately.

Disc three rounds this edition out with the masters from December of 1973. While I really dig the outtakes of “Promised Land” it’s on this disc that it really jumps to life as Elvis snarls the blues with that ever famous kinked lip. The band jump, jive, and wail behind him the whole time, never letting up for a moment. The comically titled “Love Song of the Year” is a little goofy but it makes me smile every time I hear it. In my opinion, this song is totally out of character for Presley and that endears me to it. It’s certainly another side of himself and the background orchestration is wonderful. The master of the all too short “Mr. Songman” is another favorite moment from this disc. Although it’s not as interesting as the more barebones outtakes, the finished version has a rich texture to it that gives it a certain oomph it lacked beforehand.

The obvious here is that any completist will want this in their collection….and there are a lot of Elvis Presley completists out there. These outtakes give a lot of insight into an Elvis Presley that was making a strong comeback in the midst of the rise of both pomp/arena rock and disco. While the songs may be familiar, having them altogether and playing consecutively make you feel like you are there in the midst of the Rock and Roll’s greatest making what would become his last stand. Strangely enough, this would be his beloved Memphis’ last major stand as well.

This set isn’t just for the diehard Elvis Presley fan, if you love this era of music in general or would like to learn some important and oft overlooked musical history, Elvis at Stax will take you to school in any of its formations.