Elvis Back In Nashville 4 CD Box Set from Sony Music (Elvis Presley)

What turned out to be Elvis Presley’s final Nashville session brought music that was originally overlooked. The original recordings found their way on the holiday themed 'Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas '(1971), the gospel 'He Touched Me' (1972), 'Elvis Now' (1972) and 'Elvis' (1973). 

Yet, to hear this music, a half century after it was recorded - now wiped of overdubs - reveals some of the most compelling singing of Presley’s career. There may not be a better set of tracks in his catalog that benefits more from un-dubbing the masters. No longer weighted down, Elvis shines.

Elvis: Back In Nashville 4CD collection featuring 82 pristine original recordings capturing Elvis and his musicians live-in-the-studio laying down central tracks and performances intended for later release. These revelatory sessions chronicle the last time Elvis would record in Nashville. Some of Elvis' 1971 Nashville studio recordings appeared, with subsequent orchestral and vocal overdubs, on the seasonal collection Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas (1971), the Grammy-winning gospel album He Touched Me (1972), Elvis Now (1972) and 1973's Elvis.

A 2-LP 12" vinyl version of the album will also be available.

Like its predecessor, From Elvis In Nashville (released November 2020), Elvis: Back In Nashville is designed to showcase Elvis Presley and his core band as they sounded during the actual sessions without orchestral overdubs and vocal accompaniment. A key difference between Elvis' 1970 and 1971 Nashville sessions is that many of the 1971 recordings included backing singers; therefore, Elvis: Back In Nashville offers a variety of song performances both with and without vocal augmentation.

Given the prolific output of great recordings created by Elvis and his musicians during the fabled 1970 marathon sessions that may be heard on From Elvis In Nashville, RCA and the Elvis camp decided to stick with the winning combination of tight band, seasoned studio, well-chosen repertoire and relaxed spontaneous Elvis behind the microphone and, once again, record as much material as possible over a short period of time. With Elvis' upcoming concert activities increasing, future studio time would be limited and so the goal of these sessions was to generate perhaps a year's worth of new songs. RCA and the Colonel let Elvis know they'd like a new Christmas album, a gospel album, a pop album, and 'several new singles for summer and fall releases' and so, Elvis' music coordinator/producer Felton Jarvis booked a whole week of all-night sessions starting March 15, 1971 and brought on the same band he'd used the year before.

Elvis Presley's return in 1970 to recording in Nashville had been revelatory. Those sessions, on the heels of his Memphis recordings and a return to the stage, had done more than simply sustain a comeback. They also introduced Elvis to a great new rhythm section and gifted Elvis with a great new sound. Bassist Norbert Putnam, drummer Jerry Carrigan, and pianist David Briggs had helped transform country music rhythms in the sixties after they transplanted their R&B-indebted style from F. A. M. E. studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to Nashville session work. When producer Felton Jarvis teamed Elvis with the Muscle Shoals boys, along with session guitarist Chip Young, jack of all musical trades Charlie McCoy, and Presley's bandleader James Burton, they together created the belatedly acclaimed Elvis Country - in the process providing Elvis with a country-soul template he'd trace often in the last years of his life.

Music critic Dave Marsh once wrote that, even with his acclaim, 'Elvis Presley was probably the most underrated singer of all'. Overdubs removed, what's revealed on Elvis: Back In Nashville is some of the most compelling singing of Presley's career.

Disc One of Elvis: Back In Nashville features 18 tracks and includes The Country/Folk Sides (an unrealized Elvis project featuring songs by Ewan McColl, Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Bob Dylan), The Piano Recordings (raw Elvis singing Ivory Joe Hunter with piano accompaniment) and The Pop Sides (classic pop compositions including 'Padre', 'Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Tread', 'My Way', 'I'm Leavin'' and more).

Disc Two of Elvis: Back In Nashville features 25 tracks divided between The Religious Sides (classic and contemporary gospel) and The Christmas Sides (sacred and secular seasonal holiday music).

Disc Three of Elvis: Back In Nashville features 19 tracks and picks up on the country pop repertoire of Disc One and adds some rock 'n' roll with a variety of cuts including impromptu performances of 'Johnny B. Goode' and 'Lady Madonna', an epic take on Bob Dylan's 'Don't Think Twice, (It's Alright)', fresh interpretations of 'Help Me Make It Through The Night', 'Early Morning Rain' and more.

Disc Four of Elvis: Back In Nashville features 20 tracks and includes The Religious Outtakes and The Christmas Outtakes.

Below, listen to the first track of the new 'Elvis Back In Nashville' set, Take 1 of 'I'm Leaving'.

Artist: Elvis Presley
Title: Back In Nashville
Release Date: 12th November 2021

PACKAGING: 4 Discs, fold out booklet, hardcover box, feature sticker

Tracklisting:

Disc One:

1. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
2. Amazing Grace
3. Early Mornin' Rain
4. (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me
5. Help Me Make It Through the Night
6. Until It's Time for You to Go
7. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
8. It's Still Here
9. I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
10. I Will Be True
11. Padre
12. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)
13. My Way
14. I'm Leavin'
15. It's Only Love
16. We Can Make the Morning
17. Love Me, Love The Life I Lead
18. Until It's Time For You To Go

Disc Two:

1. He Touched Me
2. I've Got Confidence
3. Seeing Is Believing
4. He Is My Everything
5. Bosom of Abraham
6. An Evening Prayer
7. Lead Me, Guide Me
8. There Is No God But God
9. A Thing Called Love
10. I, John
11. Reach Out to Jesus
12. Put Your Hand In the Hand
13. Miracle of the Rosary
14. O Come, All Ye Faithful
15. The First Noel
16. On a Snowy Christmas Night
17. Winter Wonderland
18. The Wonderful World of Christmas
19. It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)
20. I'll Be Home On Christmas Day
21. If I Get Home On Christmas Day
22. Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees
23. Merry Christmas Baby
24. Silver Bells
25. I'll Be Home On Christmas Day

Disc Three:

1. It's Only Love
2. Love Me, Love The Life I Lead
3. We Can Make the Morning
4. I'm Leavin'
5. Johnny B. Goode
6. Padre
7. Lady Madonna
8. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)
9. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
10. I Will Be True
11. It's Still Here
12. Help Me Make It Through The Night
13. (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me
14. Until It's Time For You To Go
15. Early Mornin' Rain
16. I Shall Be Released
17. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
18. Put Your Hand In the Hand
19. Amazing Grace

Disc Four:

1. Miracle of the Rosary
2. The Lord's Prayer
3. He Touched Me
4. I've Got Confidence
5. An Evening Prayer
6. Seeing Is Believing
7. A Thing Called Love
8. Reach Out To Jesus
9. He Is My Everything
10. There Is No God But God
11. Bosom of Abraham
12. I'll Be Home On Christmas Day
13. It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)
14. If I Get Home On Christmas Day
15. Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees
16. Silver Bells
17. I'll Be Home On Christmas Day
18. Winter Wonderland
19. O Come, All Ye Faithful
20. I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Remake)