These days, it's almost a miracle when something new turns up, especially when it's from Elvis' finest years. Two hours' worth of home recordings from 1959 sounds too good to be true, and yet here with Elvis: 'The Bad Nauheim Tapes' it is.
These remarkable recordings were made while Elvis lived in Bad Nauheim, Germany. Listening to these recordings, it's clear that he is having a good time with his pals, but the keen listener will also note that he is mapping out his musical future.
Gospel music was always his first love, so naturally that's well represented here. Most notable are several stabs at 'He Knows Just What I Need', and it's not unlikely that the idea to record it at some point was born here. Same with 'Are You Lonesome Tonight', a song that would be a million seller for him one year later.
There's some clowning around by all involved (most notably a goofy Lamar Fike reading the news), but what stands out most from these recordings is Elvis' commitment to his music, his level of ambition and his determination to master several of these songs. What you hear on these significant recordings is an artist who knew that he had to reinvent himself in order to sustain a successful career. These private recordings offer a fascinating insight into the artist redefining his art at a crucial point in his career, and as such, this is essential listening for the Elvis fan & scholar.
Only a small part from these tapes have been released before, but the bulk of it is unreleased almost three hours of Elvis at home, relaxed, doing what he loved most making music.
ElvisOne is proud to be able to release these recordings as a 2 + 1 CD set, with rare photos from te timeframe, background notes and detailed track info. Available now!
I Asked The Lord (take 1)
I Asked The Lord (take 2)
Apron Strings (#1)
Soldier Boy (take 1)*
Such A Night (1 line) / Soldier Boy (take 2)
I Asked The Lord (take 3)
I Asked The Lord (take 4)
I Asked The Lord (rehearsing the ending)*
I Asked The Lord (incomplete)
I Asked The Lord (working on final notes)
I Asked The Lord (working on song's conclusion)*
Piano Solo (#1)*
Earth Angel (take 1)
Earth Angel (take 2)
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen (fast #1)
Hound Dog (incomplete)*
Piano Solo (#2)*
At The Hop
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen (slow #1)
Apron Strings (#2)
It's Been So Long Darling / Dialogue
Earth Angel (intro) / I Will Be True
There's No Tomorrow
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen (slow #2)
Que Sera Sera / Hound Dog (#1)
I Asked The Lord
I Asked The Lord (rehearsing the ending)
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen (fast #2)
Apron Strings (#3)
The Titles Will Tell
At The Hop (2 lines) / Give Me Oil In My Lamp
Que Sera Sera / Hound Dog (#2)
Piano Solo (#3)
Send Me Some Lovin' (#1)*
Dialogue / Send Me Some Lovin' (#2)
For the first time you can hear all tracks unedited!
*Previously unreleased