Some of us would probably change a few songs on the ‘From Elvis in Memphis’ album, while others would leave it just the way it is. The same for the ‘Back in Memphis’ album, which I always thought was lost coupled with the ‘Live at the International Hotel’ double album.
I suggest this fun exercise as to how you would have released the 32 cuts made at American Sound if you were tasked to do so. So let’s pretend you work for RCA and you get the tracks all mixed, overdubbed, and ready to go.
So the bosses at RCA give you the following instructions:
- They want all tracks released on 3 albums. The weaker tracks will be ‘album fillers’, but they want everything released.
- The first 2 albums will be released in 1969 (summer and fall) and the last one at the beginning of 1970.
- Each album must have some cohesion. In other words, it cannot sound like a bunch of ‘leftover’s songs put together.
- Each album must have a least one potential ‘Hit single’ that will be released ahead of the album to promote it.
- You can come up with any title you want for each album.
If it was me, I would create one album with a ‘Soul’ feel to it, one with more ‘Pop/rock’ tunes, and one ‘Country sounding’ album. So these would be my choices:
Album 1 – From Elvis in Memphis
Side 1
1. Wearin’ that loved on look (2:46)
2. True love travels on a gravel road (2:38)
3. After loving you (3:06)
4. Do you know who I am? (2:48)
5. Power of my love (2:36)
6. In the Ghetto (2:45)
Side 2
1. Long black limousine (3:38)
2. Only the strong survive (2:42)
3. Stranger in my own home town (4:22)
4. Without love (There is nothing) (2:52)
5. The fair’s moving on (3:08)
Album 2 – Back in Memphis
Side 1
1. Suspicious minds (4:29)
2. Any day now (2:59)
3. Who am I? (3:18)
4. And the grass won’t pay no mind (3:09)
5. A little bit of green (3:28)
Side 2
1. Don’t cry daddy (2:48)
2. Rubberneckin’ (2:09)
3. This is the story (2:28)
4. Hey Jude (4:30)
5. I’ll be there (2:22)
6. Mama liked the roses (2:47)
Album 3 – Elvis at American Sound Studio
Side 1
1. Kentucky rain (3:14)
2. From a Jack to a King (2:24)
3. I’ll hold you in my heart (4:32)
4. If I’m a fool (For loving you) (2:43)
5. My little friend (2:45)
Side 2
1. Inherit the wind (2:56)
2. I’m movin’ on (2:52)
3. Gentle on my mind (3:21)
4. It keeps right on-a hurtin’ (2:36)
5. You’ll think of me (4:00)
The 3rd album would not be as great as the first 2, but good, nonetheless. So what would be your albums?
Alternate third album: Elvis at American Sound Studio (songs not featured on the 2 released albums)
Side 1 (15:33)
1. Suspicious minds (4:29)
2. I’ll be there (2:22)
3. Kentucky rain (3:14)
4. If I’m a fool (For loving you) (2:43)
5. My little friend (2:45)
Side 2 (15:32)
1. Don’t cry daddy (2:48)
2. Rubberneckin’ (2:09)
3. Mama liked the roses (2:47)
4. Hey Jude (4:30)
5. Who am I? (3:18)
