Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 4
Encyclopedia
Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 4 is a compilation album
featuring recordings by American singer Elvis Presley
. It was the last in a series of albums that began with Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1
in 1974, and the first since Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 3
in 1979. As with its predecessors, this album contained previously unreleased (as of 1983) recordings by Presley, with the exception of one track that had previously appeared in the Elvis Aron Presley box set in 1980.
This album marked the first official (i.e. RCA-sanctioned release) of the version of "When it Rains, It Really Pours" that Presley recorded in November 1955 at Sun Records
. Also included was an alternate version of his 1958 hit, "One Night" entitled "One Night of Sin" which featured raunchier lyrics than the version RCA released in the 1950s. A much-bootlegged song cut from the soundtrack of Presley's 1962 film Girls! Girls! Girls!
, "Plantation Rock" is included as well, as is "The Lady Loves Me", a previously unreleased duet between Presley and Ann-Margret
which had been featured in the 1964 film, Viva Las Vegas
but never released by RCA until this album. Also making its album-debut in this release is Elvis' remake of the song "Swing Down, Sweet Chariot", a rerecording from his 1960 Gospel LP, His Hand In Mine. This new rendition was featured in the 1969 movie "The Trouble With Girls". Plus, there is an alternate take of "Wooden Heart", a song from the film G.I. Blues, which has a false start due to Elvis messing up part of the lyrics and subsequently laughing.
At the time of the album's release, the origin of two informal recordings released here for the first time: "I'm Beginning to Forget You" and a cover of Nat King Cole
's "Mona Lisa" was marked as unknown, with the notation that the two recordings had been discovered at Graceland
, Presley's mansion. Later, it was learned that the two recordings were among a number that Presley made informally in April 1959 while he was stationed in Germany
. This collection is rounded off by a quartet of live performances: a previously unissued performance of "That's All Right" from the 1968 NBC Comeback Special
, a 1969 Las Vegas
outtake performance of "Are You Lonesome Tonight
" in which Elvis begins laughing during the song (this is the album's sole previously released track, having appeared in the 1980 Elvis Aron Presley box set), and two performances from a 1972 appearance at Madison Square Garden
in New York City
(later reissued as part of the album An Afternoon in the Garden
).
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
featuring recordings by American singer Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. It was the last in a series of albums that began with Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1
Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1
Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1 is a greatest hits collection from the rock star Elvis Presley issued in 1974 by RCA Records. It features 14 tracks, which includes twelve songs and two interviews with Presley....
in 1974, and the first since Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 3
Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 3
Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 3 is a compilation album featuring recordings by American singer Elvis Presley. It was the third in a series of albums that began with Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 1 in 1974, the first to be released since Presley's death in 1977, and the last edition...
in 1979. As with its predecessors, this album contained previously unreleased (as of 1983) recordings by Presley, with the exception of one track that had previously appeared in the Elvis Aron Presley box set in 1980.
This album marked the first official (i.e. RCA-sanctioned release) of the version of "When it Rains, It Really Pours" that Presley recorded in November 1955 at Sun Records
Sun Records
Sun Records is a record label founded in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27, 1952.Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley , Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash...
. Also included was an alternate version of his 1958 hit, "One Night" entitled "One Night of Sin" which featured raunchier lyrics than the version RCA released in the 1950s. A much-bootlegged song cut from the soundtrack of Presley's 1962 film Girls! Girls! Girls!
Girls! Girls! Girls!
Girls! Girls! Girls! is a 1962 musical comedy film starring Elvis Presley as a penniless Hawaiian fisherman who loves his life on the sea and dreams of owning his own boat. "Return to Sender", which reached #2 on the Billboard pop singles chart, is featured in the movie...
, "Plantation Rock" is included as well, as is "The Lady Loves Me", a previously unreleased duet between Presley and Ann-Margret
Ann-Margret
Ann-Margret Olsson is a Swedish-American actress, singer and dancer whose professional name is Ann-Margret. She became famous for her starring roles in Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, The Cincinnati Kid, Carnal Knowledge, and Tommy...
which had been featured in the 1964 film, Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas is a 1964 American romantic musical movie starring music icon Elvis Presley and actress/dancer Ann-Margret. This movie is regarded by many fans of these actors and by film critics as one of Presley's best movies, and it is noted for the apparent on-screen chemistry between Presley...
but never released by RCA until this album. Also making its album-debut in this release is Elvis' remake of the song "Swing Down, Sweet Chariot", a rerecording from his 1960 Gospel LP, His Hand In Mine. This new rendition was featured in the 1969 movie "The Trouble With Girls". Plus, there is an alternate take of "Wooden Heart", a song from the film G.I. Blues, which has a false start due to Elvis messing up part of the lyrics and subsequently laughing.
At the time of the album's release, the origin of two informal recordings released here for the first time: "I'm Beginning to Forget You" and a cover of Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
's "Mona Lisa" was marked as unknown, with the notation that the two recordings had been discovered at Graceland
Graceland
Graceland is a large white-columned mansion and estate that was home to Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee. It is located at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard in the vast Whitehaven community about 9 miles from Downtown and less than four miles north of the Mississippi border. It currently serves as...
, Presley's mansion. Later, it was learned that the two recordings were among a number that Presley made informally in April 1959 while he was stationed in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. This collection is rounded off by a quartet of live performances: a previously unissued performance of "That's All Right" from the 1968 NBC Comeback Special
Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special
Elvis, starring Elvis Presley, was the title of a 1968 United States television special. Sponsored by The Singer Sewing Machine Company, it aired on December 2, 1968 on the NBC television network...
, a 1969 Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
outtake performance of "Are You Lonesome Tonight
Are You Lonesome Tonight? (song)
"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" is a popular song with music by Lou Handman and lyrics by Roy Turk. It was written in 1926, first published in 1927 and most notably revived by Elvis Presley in 1960 ....
" in which Elvis begins laughing during the song (this is the album's sole previously released track, having appeared in the 1980 Elvis Aron Presley box set), and two performances from a 1972 appearance at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(later reissued as part of the album An Afternoon in the Garden
An Afternoon in the Garden
An Afternoon in the Garden is a compact disc recording of a live show presented by Elvis Presley at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 1972, released in 1997, RCA 67457-2.-Contents:...
).
Track listing (with details from the liner notes)
- When It Rains, It Really Pours (Recorded: Sun Studios, Memphis, November 1955; includes 2 false starts and studio chatter)
- Interview With Elvis by Ray and Norma Pillow, recorded in Tampa, FloridaTampa, FloridaTampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, 1956 - One Night of Sin (previously unissued alternate version of "One Night", recorded 1958)
- I'm Beginning to Forget You (private recording, April 1959)
- Mona Lisa (private recording, April 1959)
- Wooden HeartWooden Heart"Wooden Heart " is a song best known for its use in the 1960 Elvis Presley film G.I. Blues. The song was a hit for Presley in the United Kingdom, making number one for six weeks, but wasn't released as a single in the United States until November 1964 as the B-side to "Blue Christmas"...
(false start, studio chatter, and alternate take of this 1960 recording for the film G.I. BluesG.I. BluesG.I. Blues is a 1960 Elvis Presley musical motion picture played as a romantic comedy. It was filmed at Paramount's Hollywood studios, with some pre-production scenery shot on location in Germany before Presley's release from the army. The movie reached #2 on the Variety weekly national box office...
) - Plantation Rock (previously unissued track recorded in 1962 for Girls! Girls! Girls! but not used)
- The Lady Loves Me (1963 duet with Ann-Margret recorded for Viva Las Vegas but unreleased until now)
- Swing Down Sweet Chariot (unreleased 1968 recording from the soundtrack of The Trouble with Girls; remake of a song Presley first recorded in 1960 for his album, His Hand in MineHis Hand in MineHis Hand in Mine is the twelfth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2328, in November 1960. It was the first of three gospel music albums that Presley would issue during his lifetime. Recording sessions took place on October 30 and 31, 1960, at RCA...
) - That's All Right (live version recorded at NBC StudiosNBC StudiosThe NBC Studios in New York, New York is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, the historic GE Building houses the headquarters of the NBC television network, its parent General Electric, and NBC's flagship station WNBC , as well as cable news channel MSNBC.When NBC Universal relocated,...
, Burbank, CaliforniaBurbank, CaliforniaBurbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
for the 1968 TV special) - Are You Lonesome TonightAre You Lonesome Tonight? (song)"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" is a popular song with music by Lou Handman and lyrics by Roy Turk. It was written in 1926, first published in 1927 and most notably revived by Elvis Presley in 1960 ....
(previously released 1969 live version, recorded in Las Vegas; known as the "Laughing Version" as Presley begins laughing during the performance) - Reconsider BabyReconsider Baby"Reconsider Baby" is a blues song written and recorded by Lowell Fulson in 1954. Performed in the West Coast blues style, it became Fulson's first record chart hit for Checker Records, a subsidiary of Chess Records...
(previously unissued June 10, 1972 performance, recorded at Madison Square Garden) - I'll Remember You (previously unissued performance from the same show as above)