Comprehensive new Elvis ‘Memphis’ collection announced

RCA Records and Legacy Recordings will release a comprehensive new Elvis Memphis collection of Presley’s hometown recordings, on Friday 9 August.

Featuring more than 111 tracks, the definitive set captures The King from his earliest sessions at Sun Studio to his final recordings in Graceland’s Jungle Room. Along the way, the Bluff City serves as both home and muse to Presley, playing a pivotal role in the dramatic arc of his artistry as he finds creative rebirth at American Sound in 1969, overcomes personal struggles at Stax in 1973, and brings his most extravagant and spellbinding live show to the Mid-South Coliseum in 1974.

Produced by noted Elvis authority Ernst Jørgensen, with rare archival material and new liner notes by music historian Robert Gordon, Memphis will be released in 5CD, 2LP and digital configurations, giving fresh insight into the bond between Elvis and his eternal home.

With the exception of the Sun recordings, all tracks were newly mixed by four-time Grammy-winner Matt Ross-Spang at Southern Grooves in Memphis, with overdubs stripped away – leaving the listener with only what Elvis heard live in the studio.

Sun Studio Star

From the very first notes, the city’s immense influence on Elvis is clear.

At Sun Studio he channeled a heady mix of Beale Street blues, the sounds of Dewey Phillips’ Red, Hot & Blue show on local radio station WHBQ, and the all-night gospel performances he attended at nearby Ellis Auditorium.

When Presley returned to recording in Memphis nearly 15 years later as a cultural phenomenon and bankable film star, he sensed a different pulse in the city. Teaming up with legendary producer Chips Moman at American Sound Studio, far from the glitz of Hollywood or the gloss of Nashville, Elvis sought out songs that reflected a more gimlet-eyed worldview, and put down some of the greatest performances of his career. Yielding indelible hits like In The Ghetto and Suspicious Minds, these sessions heralded an earthier sound – and an astonishing comeback for Presley.

The Stax sessions of 1973 came during a tumultuous time in Elvis’ personal life. As he wrestled with the dissolution of his marriage and personal demons, the frenetic energy of his day-to-day life came through in the performances.

Jungle Room Sessions

Bringing his game-changing Vegas show back home to Memphis in 1974, Elvis appeared with a full orchestra and more than 20 musicians accompanying him on stage. Here, he performed songs by many early rock’n’roll legends – including Jerry Lee Lewis, Lloyd Price, Little Richard and Fats Domino – and also delivered a Grammy-winning rendition of How Great Thou Art. “It’s always been said that a person cannot return to their hometown,” Elvis says towards the end of the show. “But you have disproven that theory completely.”

Recording his final songs using RCA’s mobile rig at Graceland in 1976, Elvis sings with a passion that defies his poor health. These stripped recordings strike an emotional chord and the new unadorned versions of the Jungle Room sessions make evident Elvis’ effort to find the sound and energy that thrills him, and imbue familiar material with personal emotion.

When asked what he missed about his hometown on his way back from the army, a 25-year-old Elvis answered: “Everything. I mean that—everything.” As he found strength in the city across so many stages of life, Memphis makes clear that sentiment was as enduring and powerful as it was reciprocal with the city itself.

ELVIS PRESLEY MEMPHIS TRACK LISTING

5-CD / Digital Edition:
DISC 1 – SUN SINGLE MASTERS

1. That’s All Right (45rpm master)
2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (45rpm master)
3. I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine
4. Good Rockin’ Tonight
5. Milkcow Blues Boogie
6. You’re A Heartbreaker
7. Baby Let’s Play House
8. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone
9. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
10.  Mystery Train
THE SUN RCA LP MASTERS
11. I Love You Because (RCA LP version)
12. Just Because
13. Tryin’ To Get To You
14. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)
15. Blue Moon
16. Harbor Lights
17. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (slow version, aka My Baby’s Gone)
18. When It Rains It Pours
19. Tomorrow Night
20. My Happiness
21. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
22. I’ll Never Stand In Your Way
23. It Wouldn’t Be The Same Without You

DISC 2 – American ’69

1. In The Ghetto
2. Suspicious Minds
3. Don’t Cry Daddy
4. Kentucky Rain
5. Mama Liked The Roses
6. Do You Know Who I Am?
7. You’ll Think Of Me
8. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road
9. Long Black Limousine
10. After Loving You
11. I’ll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)
12. From A Jack To A King
13. Without Love (There Is Nothing)
14. It’s My Way / This Time / I Can’t Stop Loving You (studio jam)
15. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’
16. I’m Movin’ On
17. Power Of My Love
18. Stranger In My Own Home Town
19. Wearin’ That Loved On Look
20. Any Day Now
21. Only The Strong Survive
22. Gentle On My Mind
23. The Fair’s Moving On
24. Hey Jude

DISC 3 – Stax ’73

1. Promised Land
2. Raised On Rock
3. I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby
4. If You Talk In Your Sleep
5. My Boy
6. Spanish Eyes
7. Help Me
8. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body
9. It’s Midnight
10. Find Out What’s Happening
11. If You Don’t Come Back
12. For Ol’ Times Sake
13. Just A Little Bit
14. Talk About The Good Times
15. Loving Arms
16. You Asked Me To
17. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues
18. Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming
19. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In)
20. Take Good Care Of Her
21. She Wears My Ring
22. If That Isn’t Love
23. Three Corn Patches

DISC 4 – The Homecoming Concert

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra
2. See See Rider
3. I Got A Woman / Amen (
4. Love Me
5. Trying To Get To You
6. All Shook Up
7. Steamroller Blues
8. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel
10. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lot-ta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Mama Don’t Dance / Flip, Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog
11. Fever
12. Polk Salad Annie
13. Why Me Lord
14. How Great Thou Art
15. Suspicious Minds
16. Introductions
17. Medley: Blueberry Hill / I Can’t Stop Loving You
18. Help Me
19. An American Trilogy
20. Let Me Be There
21. My Baby Left Me
22. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
23. Funny How Time Slips Away
24. Can’t Help Falling In Love
25. Closing Vamp

DISC 5 – Graceland’ 76

1. Hurt
2. Never Again
3. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
4. Danny Boy
5. The Last Farewell
6. For The Heart
7. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall
8. Solitaire
9. Love Coming Down
10. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again
11. Moody Blue
12. She Thinks I Still Care
13. Way Down
14. He’ll Have To Go
15. Pledging My Love
16. It’s Easy For You

2LP Highlight Edition:
SIDE A: SUN SINGLE MASTERS

1. That’s All Right
2. Blue Moon Kentucky
3. Good Rockin’ Tonight
4. Baby, Let’s Play House
5. I Forgot to Remember to Forget
6. Mystery Train

SIDE B: AMERICAN ’69

1. In The Ghetto
2.You’ll Think of Me
3. Don’t Cry Daddy
4. I’m Movin’ On
5. Any Day Now
6. Suspicious Minds

SIDE C: STAX ’73

1. Promised Land
2. If You Talk in Your Sleep
3. Take Good Care of Her
4. Raised on Rock
5. It’s Midnight
6. Your Love’s Been a Long Time Coming

SIDE D: GRACELAND ’76

1. For the Heart
2. Hurt
3. Way Down
4. Danny Boy
5. Moody Blue
6. How Great Thou Art

To pre-order Memphis click here

The new Memphis collection will be celebrated throughout Elvis Week 2024 this Summer, including two special events at Graceland. On 13 August, Graceland Soundstage will host an Elvis: Back in Memphis concert – blending live performances with storytelling from the musicians and vocalists who were part of these legendary recording sessions. The following day (14 August), Sony will host a special Memphis listening event and Q&A at Graceland’s Guest House Theater. For details click here

Read more: Elvis treasures on show in London