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Continue reading Today: Elvis Presley released “Elvis (NBC TV Special)” in 1968, 45 years ago
Tag Archives: Elvis Presley
Today: The late Hank Williams was born in 1923, 90 years ago
It can be explained in just one word: sincerity. When a hillbilly sings a crazy song, he feels crazy. When he sings, ‘I Laid My Mother Away,’ he sees her a-laying right there in the coffin. He sings more sincere than most entertainers because the hillbilly was raised rougher than most entertainers. You got to know a lot about hard work. You got to have smelt a lot of mule manure before you can sing like a hillbilly. The people that have been raised something like the way the hillbilly has…. knows what he sings about and appreciates it
~Hank Williams (on the success of Country Music)Nobody had a talent for making suffering enjoyable like Hank Williams
~Kris KristoffersonHank Williams was the first influence I would think.
~Bob Dylan (to Billy James, Oct 1961)I started writing songs after I heard Hank Williams.
~Bob Dylan (The Les Crane Show, 17 Feb 1965)
Cold Cold Heart:
From Wikipedia:
| Birth name | Hiram King Williams |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Lovesick Blues Boy Lovesick Luke the Drifter Hank Williams, Sr. The Hillbilly Shakespeare |
| Born | September 17, 1923 Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama |
| Died | January 1, 1953 (aged 29) Oak Hill, West Virginia |
| Genres | Country, Western, gospel,blues, honky-tonk, folk |
| Occupations | Songwriter Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1937–1952 |
| Labels | Sterling, MGM |
| Associated acts | Drifting Cowboys Audrey Williams |
| Website | www.hankwilliams.com |
Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time. Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one.
From allmusic – Stephen Thomas Erlewine:
Hank Williams is the father of contemporary country music. He was a superstar by the age of 25; he was dead at the age of 29. In those four short years, he established the rules for all the country performers who followed him and, in the process, much of popular music. Hank wrote a body of songs that became popular classics, and his direct, emotional lyrics and vocals became the standard for most popular performers. He lived a life as troubled and reckless as that depicted in his songs. …. read more @ allmusic.com
Legacy:
- Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed September 21 “Hank Williams Day”
- In 1961, Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
- he was inducted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985
- In 1987, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category Early Influence
- He was ranked second in CMT’s 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003, behind only Johnny Cash
- His son, Hank Jr., was ranked on the same list
- In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked him number 74 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
- In 2011 Williams’s 1949 MGM number one hit, “Lovesick Blues,” was inducted into the Recording Academy Grammy Hall Of Fame.
- In 1999, Williams was inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame.
- On April 12, 2010, the Pulitzer Prize Board awarded Williams a posthumous special citation that paid tribute to his “craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life.”
- Keeping his legacy, Williams’s son, Hank Williams, Jr., daughter Jett Williams, grandson Hank Williams III, and granddaughters Hilary Williams and Holly Williams are also country musicians.
Lovesick Blues:
Hey Good Lookin’:
Album of the day – 40 Greatest Hits (1979):
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Check out:
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Other September 17:
Continue reading Today: The late Hank Williams was born in 1923, 90 years ago
Today: Elvis Presley released “Suspicious Minds” in 1969, 44 years ago
We’re caught in a trap
I can’t walk out
Because I love you too much baby–
Recorded between four and seven in the morning, during the landmark Memphis session that helped return the King to his throne, “Suspicious Minds” — the final Number One single of his lifetime — is Presley’s masterpiece: He sings so intensely through the fade-out that his band returns for another minute of the tear-stained chorus.
~rollingstone.com
Together with “Mystery Train” this is my fav Elvis song (although not this version).
Suspicious Minds:
From Wikipedia:
| B-side | You’ll Think Of Me |
|---|---|
| Released | August 26, 1969 |
| Format | 45 rpm record |
| Recorded | January 23, 1969 |
| Genre | Soul, pop |
| Length | 4:22 (3:28) |
| Label | RCA |
| Writer(s) | Mark James |
| Producer | Chips Moman and Felton Jarvis |
“Suspicious Minds” is a song written by American songwriter Mark James. After James’ recording failed commercially, the song was handed to Elvis Presley by producer Chips Moman, becoming a number one song in 1969, and one of the most notable hits of Presley’s career. “Suspicious Minds” was widely regarded as the single that returned Presley’s career success, following ’68 Comeback Special. It was his seventeenth and last number-one single in the United States. Rolling Stone later ranked it #91 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Background
Elvis Presley’s recordings in American Sound Studio were a direct consequence to ’68 Comeback Special, that interested Chips Moman in produce recordings to the new style of Presley, making his comeback to the Memphis musical scene, by recording rock,gospel, country, rhythm & blues and soul. George Klein, local Memphis dj & close friend of Elvis’ suggested he record at the studio.
American Sound Studio session
“Suspicious Minds” was a product of January 23, 1969 session, that took place between 4 am and 7 am. It took eight takes to produce the final song that was later overdubbed by Presley the same night. Also in the same were recorded “I’ll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)”, “Without Love (There Is Nothing)”, and “I’ll Be There”. on August 7, was again overdubbed to stereo and mono in Las Vegas, where the final master was produced. The song is noted for its change of Rhythm, in the Bridge section, from 4/4 to a slower 6/8 and back again to the faster 4/4 rhythm. The first verse repeats over and over again, until it completely fades out, it features a bass guitar, organ, strings, trumpets, trombones, and drums. Session producer Felton Jarvis made the unusual decision to add a premature fade-out to the song starting at 3:36, mirroring the way Presley used to perform it in his live Las Vegas stage act. The fadeout lasts for about 15 seconds before fading back in, conveying a message of relationship in the song. Future Grateful Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux sang backing vocals on the track.
Best version (alt.take7 – “Platinum – A Life In Music”):
Elvis Presley Suspicious Minds Live That’s The Way It Is 1970:
Live 1973 – Aloha Hawaii:
Album of the day – Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology (1999):
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Other August 26:
Continue reading Today: Elvis Presley released “Suspicious Minds” in 1969, 44 years ago
Today: Billy Joe Shaver is 74 – Happy Birthday
‘Cause movin’s in my soul, i guess a gypsy boy got a hold
Of somebody in my family long ago
If some night while half asleep you hear the back door softly squeak
You’ll touch my empty pillow, then you’ll know
That restless wind, is calling me again
– Billy Joe Shaver (from “Restless Wind” (one of his best songs))–
“He may be the best songwriter alive today”
– Willie Nelson«He’s a real writer like Hemingway. He’s timeless»
– Kris Kristofferson«Billy Joe is unique. One of a kind. They threw away the mold. The best.»
– Robert DuvallI’m listening to Billy Joe Shaver And i’m reading James Joyce
-Bob Dylan (I Feel a Change Comin’ On)
Restless Wind:
Billy Joe Shaver is one of my greatest “Honky Tonk Heroes”.
«Throughout my career as a songwriter, I’ve just written songs about me – the good and the bad, the funny and the sad….. The songs are my story»
– Billy Joe shaver«..I’ve lost part of three fingers, broke my back, suffered a heart attack and a quadruple bypass, had a steel plate put in my neck and 136 stitches in my head, fought drugs and booze, spent the money I had, and buried my wife, son & mother in the span of one year… I’m not proud of my misfortune – I’m proud of my survival»
– Billy Joe Shaver
From Wikipedia:
| Birth name | Billy Joe Shaver |
|---|---|
| Born | August 16, 1939 (age 74) |
| Origin | Corsicana, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Country Music Outlaw Country |
| Occupations | Singer and Songwriter |
| Instruments | Acoustic Guitar |
| Associated acts | Lee Clayton Jessi Colter Waylon Jennings Kris Kristofferson Willie Nelson Mickey Newbury Steve Young Johnny Cash |
| Website | www.billyjoeshaver.com |
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| From amazon.com: Willie Nelson says “Billy Joe Shaver may be the best songwriter alive today,” and legions of fans agree that Billy Joe is the real deal. Many describe his songs as pure poetry. Shaver sings about a life that’s been full of hard times, wild living, and a forty-year-long passion for his late wife Brenda. His songs are raw, honest, and so true that people hear the story of their own lives in his music. No wonder, then, that his songs have also been recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Patty Loveless, John Anderson, Tom T. Hall, the Allman Brothers, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Tex Ritter. |
Here is my list of his 15 best songs:
- Live Forever
- Restless Wind
- Georgia on a Fast Train
- When The Fallen Angels Fly
- Fit To Kill And Going Out In Style
- I’m just an old Chunk of Coal
- Black Rose
- Old Five & Dimers Like Me
- Honkey Tonk Heroes
- You Asked Me To
- Ride Me Down Easy
- Highway of Life
- Heart of Texas
- Willie The Wandering Gypsy and Me
- Moonshine & Indian Blood
Some videos from youtube:
Live Forever (best version):
I’m gonna live forever
I’m gonna cross that river
I’m gonna catch tomorrow now
You’re gonna wanna hold me
Just like I’ve always told you
You’re gonna miss me when I’m goneNobody here will ever find me
But I will always be around
Just like the songs I leave behind me
I’m gonna live forever nowYou fathers and you mothers
Be good to one another
Please try to raise your children right
Don’t let the darkness take ’em
Don’t make ’em feel forsaken
Just lead ’em safely to the lightWhen this old world is blown us under
And all the stars fall from the sky
Remember someone really loves you
We’ll live forever you and II’m gonna live forever
I’m gonna cross that river
I’m gonna catch tomorrow now
Georgia on a Fast Train:
When the Fallen Angels Fly:
Black Rose – GREAT live version (Austin City Limits):
A lot of his best songs.. and best versions of his best songs missing on spotify.. but here are some:
Recommended reading:
“Honky Tonk Hero” (Billy Joe Shaver)
Other August 16:
Continue reading Today: Billy Joe Shaver is 74 – Happy Birthday
Today: Elvis Presley released “That’s All Right” in 1954 – 59 years ago
| In 2004, Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right Mama” and Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” both celebrated their 50th anniversaries. Rolling Stone Magazine felt that Presley’s song was the first rock and roll recording. At the time Presley recorded the song, Big Joe Turner’s “Shake, Rattle & Roll”, later covered by Haley, was already at the top of the Billboard R&B charts. The Guardian felt that while there were rock’n’roll records before Presley’s, his recording was the moment when all the strands came together in “perfect embodiment”. (wikipedia) |
“A lot of people seem to think I started this business, but rock ‘n’ roll was here a long time before I came along. Nobody can sing that kind of music like colored people. Let’s face it; I can’t sing it like Fats Domino can. I know that. But I always liked that kind of music.”
~Elvis Presley
Wikipedia:
| B-side | “Blue Moon of Kentucky” |
|---|---|
| Released | 19 July 1954 |
| Format | 7″ single |
| Recorded | 5 July 1954 |
| Genre | Rockabilly |
| Length | 1:57 |
| Label | Sun |
| Writer(s) | Arthur Crudup |
| Producer | Sam Phillips |
“That’s All Right” is the name of the first commercial single released by Elvis Presley, written and originally performed by blues singer Arthur Crudup. Presley’s version was recorded on 5 July 1954, and released on 19 July 1954 with “Blue Moon of Kentucky” as the B-side. It is #112 on the 2004 Rolling Stone magazine list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
Arthur Crudup – That’s All Right (original version):
The song was written by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, and originally recorded by him in Chicago on 6 September 1946, as “That’s All Right”. It was released as a single on RCA Victor 20-2205, but was less successful than some of Crudup’s previous recordings. In early March 1949, the song was re-released under the title, “That’s All Right, Mama” (RCA Victor 50-0000), which was issued as RCA’s first rhythm and blues record on their new 45 rpm single format, on bright orange vinyl.
Elvis Presley’s version was recorded in July 1954, and released with “Blue Moon of Kentucky” as the B-side. Its catalogue number was Sun 209. The label reads “That’s All Right” (omitting “Mama” from the original title), and names the performers as Elvis Presley,Scotty and Bill. Arthur Crudup was credited as the composer on the label of Presley’s single, but Crudup had to wait until the 1960s when he received an estimated $60,000 in back royalties. Crudup used lines in his song that had been present in earlier blues recordings, including Blind Lemon Jefferson’s 1926 song That Black Snake Moan”.
Live @ NBC Studio’s 1968:
During an uneventful recording session at Sun Studios on the evening of July 5, 1954, Presley, Moore, and Black were taking a break between recordings when Presley started fooling around with an up-tempo version of Arthur Crudup’s song “That’s All Right, Mama”. Black began joining in on his upright bass, and soon they were joined by Moore on guitar. Producer Sam Phillips, taken aback by this sudden upbeat atmosphere, asked the three of them to start again so he could record it.
Black’s bass and guitars from Presley and Moore provided the instrumentation. The recording contains no drums or additional instruments. The song was produced in the style of a “live” recording (all parts performed at once and recorded on a single track). The following evening the trio recorded “Blue Moon of Kentucky” in a similar style, and it was selected as the B-side to “That’s All Right”.
Upon finishing the recording session, according to Scotty Moore, Bill Black remarked, “Damn. Get that on the radio and they’ll run us out of town.”
Sam Phillips gave copies of the record to local disc jockeys Dewey Phillips (no relation) of WHBQ, Uncle Richard of WMPS, and Sleepy Eyed John Lepley of WHHM. On July 7, 1954, Dewey Phillips played “That’s All Right” on his popular radio show “Red, Hot & Blue”.
Interest in the record was so intense that Dewey reportedly played the record 14 times and received over 40 telephone calls. Presley was persuaded to go to the station for an on-air interview that night.
“That’s All Right” was officially released on July 19, 1954, and sold around 20,000 copies. This number was not enough to chart nationally, but the single reached number four on the local Memphis charts.
Live – That’s The Way It Is (1970):
Album of the day – Sunrise:
Other July 19:
Continue reading Today: Elvis Presley released “That’s All Right” in 1954 – 59 years ago