From Elvis In Memphis – ELVIS PRESLEY*****

Wearin’ That Loved On Look/Only The Strong Survive/I’ll Hold You In My Heart/Long Black Limousine/It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’/I’m Movin’ On/Power Of My Love/Gentle On My Mind/After Loving You/True Love Travels On A Gravel Road/Any Day Now/In The Ghetto

With the release of From Elvis In Memphis Elvis put aside his lacklustre movie soundtracks and started to redefine himself as a mature singer of quality songs. It includes the top three hit single In The Ghetto. (US:13 UK:1)

"After years of recording mediocre soundtracks, this was Elvis' long-overdue return to making real music. And what a return it was. In a rare smart move, Elvis' management set him to work with Chips Moman at the Memphis American Sound Studios. The new environment and material seemed to refresh Elvis' creative spirit and he delivered some of the best performances of his career. The majority of the album has a strong R & B flavour, with some country thrown in for good measure."

"After spending years putting out lame movie soundtracks, Elvis Presley's confidence as a performer was about as low as he could get. Getting out of the movie contracts, Elvis returned to the music studio with a desperate desire to retake his throne and remind everyone what made him the king of rock and roll. The raw energy and pure determination we all saw in the 1968 comeback special, is on full display on what is definitely one of his finest albums, From Elvis In Memphis."

"This is the first time we get to hear the mature voice of Presley. Here he is far removed from his rockabilly roots. Perhaps the most powerful cut is Long Black Limousine, a song steeped in melodrama. Moman's dirge-like, over-the-top production, filled with female background singers and church bells, makes this one hard to resist."

"The King comes back with his best album ever. This is basically a soul record with orchestral arrangements and shots of country and rock and roll. The songs are all very strong and Elvis is in top form."

"Elvis returns to his roots in Memphis and cuts one of the great albums of all time. Soul and blues with a healthy dash of rock and country. Great material that Elvis makes all his own. Highly recommended."