His Hand In Mine – ELVIS PRESLEY***

His Hand In Mine/I’m Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs/In My Father’s House (Are Many Mansions)/Milky White Way/Known Only To Him/I Believe In The Man In The Sky/Joshua Fit The Battle/He Knows Just What I Need/ Swing Down Sweet Chariot/Mansion Over The Hilltop/If We Never Meet Again/Working On The Building

Demonstrating his versatility, His Hand In Mine was Elvis’s first complete album of gospel music. Predictably it sold far less copies than his pop releases of the time. (US:13 UK:3)

“One of my favourite Elvis albums, allowing every opportunity for his great voice to flourish. He turns out to be a fantastic gospel singer and The Jordanaires give great support.”

“Elvis took few chances with the release of His Hand In Mine. The song choices are conservative and safe. He presents them in a pop style and stays away from rock ‘n’ roll. He is smart enough, however, to reach back into several traditions for his material and moves from old time spirituals to country oriented songs to traditional gospel. Elvis’ deep voice brings vibrancy and life to these songs and others of this type. The spiritual Elvis is never disappointing.”

“The arrangements here all tend to be highly derivative of classic pre-existing versions, and to the extent they sound a little different it's only because of the uniformly bland, rubber-stamp 50s-pop backing harmonies. This feels like it is just making black music more palatable to white audiences, and that turns me off. From another, kinder perspective you could say Elvis knew how to pick good songs, but in his performances he's too deferential here to the artists whose versions of the songs inspired him. Either way this album is self indulgent.” “Everything about it is remarkable. Not only is the singing wonderful but Elvis had a hand in most of the arrangements. The music on most of the tracks is simply produced and sincere to the point of true inspiration.”

“Elvis is in fine voice. His phrasing, timing and general performance are good. Also, his backing musicians know gospel music. The problem with this set is the material which is all second tier.”

“I don't think I will ever get tired of listening to these happily swinging gospel songs. Though not being a religious guy at all this album moves me each time I play it.”