Monday, November 21, 2016

Sweet Inspiration 1970

Sweet Inspiration was the only top 40 hit for the Sweet Inspirations although they appeared on many 60's and 70's hits as a backing group. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison Burning of the Midnight Lamp by Jimi Hendrix and Just One Look by Doris Troy. They also did backing vocals for Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield in the sixties. This version by Elvis was a one off performance from the midnight show 20th August 1970 . Interviews with Whitney Houstons mum Cissy, Myrna Smith and Estelle Brown precede his performance.


I'm Leavin 1974

Michael Jarrett/Sonny James ballad. Michael said he wrote the song after he had given up performing to concentrate on song writing and its written about his girlfriends lack of faith in his songwriting and his decision to leave her and move on. She had said to him what if your songs arnt good enough. Michael said the unusual structure of the song belongs to Sonny James. In the Nashville recording studios in 1971 Elvis is heard saying phew this song is tough but its worth working on. Elvis performed it on various occassions at live shows but none compared to the haunting studio recording due to the difficulties in getting the pace of the song just right. In this live recording from 1974 Elvis is heard chatting to fans and singing one line of the song Stop the World and Let Me Off. 


Little Mama 1955

This was recorded live at the Lousianna Hayride March 1955. Many mistakenly think this is Thats Alright Little Mama but this is a completely different song Co written by the music producer Jerry Wexler . Wexler wrote for Billboard magazine and is said to have coined the term Rhythm and Blues. He produced Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin and was the man who connected Elvis with the Sweet Inspirations.  Originally sung by The Clovers in 1953. Elvis often performed Clovers songs in his early live performances songs like Fool Fool Fool, Love Bug. Love Potion Number 9 is their most known hit written by the great Leiber and Stoller who of course were prolific writers for the early Elvis recordings. 


Reconsider Baby 1977

A song written by Lowell Fulson in 1954 its registered in the top 500 songs that shaped rock'n'roll. Elvis first recorded it for his Elvis is Back album in 1960 and featured the great Boots Randolph sax break. Its a song Elvis would perform in his concerts every now and again and was first perfomed live in 1970 in front of Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin. I only just recently found out that Elvis had performed this on numerous ocassions in late 76 early 77. This recording is from february 1977 .


Love Bug Clovers 

This song is often said to have been performed by Elvis at some of his 55/56 shows but no recording has ever surfaced.





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