Elvis Presley turned 40 in 1975. His health was beginning to deteriorate and his dependence upon prescription drugs was on the rise. His weight gain was also becoming noticeable. All of this added up to short and lethargic concerts plus a decided lack of interest in the recording process. In fact, 1975 would be the last time Elvis would enter an outside studio. He would record all his future songs in his home studio at Graceland. Elvis’ voice would escape the ravages of time, however, and continue to be one of the best in music. It was the one constant in the life of Elvis Presley.
During the last years of his life, Elvis’ albums would consistently place him near the top of the country charts. Promised Land, released on January 8, 1975, would continue this country trend as it would reach number one.
Promised Land was primarily an album of country ballads plus a great rocker. The Chuck Berry title tune, “Promised Land,” is the rocker. While Elvis’ vocal is pure pop the song rips along and remains true to Berry’s original structure and intent. The only other song that breaks the country mold is “If You Talk In Your Sleep.” Elvis actually gets a little funky and the brass background gives the performance a nice rhythm & blues feel.
This album went to the top of the Country Charts for a reason. “Mr. Songman” and “Love Song Of The Year” are tear jerker sad songs. Elvis voice rises above the material here. "It’s Midnight” is a well crafted ballad that Elvis brings to life. “Help Me” is a fine song in the Elvis gospel tradition. “You Asked Me” is a Waylon Jennings song to which Elvis provides a smooth vocal.Promised Land did suffer from a sameness on many of its songs but proved to be very popular when released. It remains an album that is good for a listen now and then but not one that will draw the listener back with any regularity.
I find Elvis’ second 1975 studio release, Today, to be a satisfying album. Elvis draws from a number of musical styles for material. “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” is an all out rocker with attitude. “Shake A Hand” is a 1950’s gospel song that Elvis modernizes with a heartfelt vocal. “Woman Without Love” is a sad country ballad that features an excellent steel guitar. Elvis takes Billy Swan’s giant hit, “I Can Help,” and transforms it into a pop classic.
There are two other songs of note contained on Today. “And I Love You So” was made for Elvis. Perry Como’s hit version has nothing on Elvis. The rich, smooth, understated vocal is musical bliss. “Green Green Grass Of Home” was a hit single for Elvis in England. Elvis seems to be invested and his deep vocal fits this song well.
Today remains a pleasant listen as it contains a number of musical gems and is never boring. It is a nice album to put on the turn table or in the disc player and just sit back and let Elvis’s voice take you away.
Article comments
1 - Anthony
HI David
Some further information regarding these albums.
The Recording sessions of July and December 1973 produced the material for three albums - Raised On Rock/For Ol' Times Sake, Good Times and Promised Land. There was enough strong material recorded for 2 very good country albums, unfortunatly RCA released three albums spreading the material thin and weakening all three LP's. The two best albums were Good Times (which you have skipped reviewing) and Promised Land.
Elvis did not enter the studio at all in 1974 and he only had one session in 1975. His studio work had been eclipsed by his Live work. As the number of shows increased they became less events and more routine. 1974 and 1975 saw Elvis perfom some of his longest shows ever and less attention to his recorded work.
His LP output for that year was "Good Times" and "Elvis-Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis". I am curious as to why you skipped reviewing these two LP's?
"Good Times" contained many strong tracks like, "I've Got A Thing About You Baby", "Take Good Care Of Her","Talk About The Goodtimes","My Boy", "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" and "Spanish Eyes". All stronger material than the previously reviewed "Raised on Rock" LP.
"Elvis-Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" was an edited concert recorded in Elvis' hometown of Memphis Tennessee.
Certainly not as strong a Live album as anything that Elvis had put out previously, it was his 5th Live release since 1969. With this in mind it was edited to cut down the repetitiveness of the material. What was left was a more energetic live concert than the Aloha performance from the previous year, but not as vocally strong. It contained 9 songs not released by Elvis in a live concert format (sans the 1968 NBC special), "Tryin' To Get To You","Mama Don't Dance and Flip Flop Fly (as part of a medley)", "Blueberry Hill", "Let Me Be There", "My Baby Left Me" - his new single at the time, "Help Me", a song never recorded by Elvis - "Why Me Lord" and "How Great Thou Art" - for which Elvis won a Grammy in 1974 for this vocal Performance.
This album certainly deserves a review to shine the spotlight on it. The RCA/BMG/Sony/Legacy subsidiary label for Elvis collectors - Follow That Dream, has restored the concert to it's full length adding back in the edited tracks (All Shook Up, Steamroller Blues, Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Fever, Polk Salad Annie, Suspicious Minds and Funny How Time Slips Away).
Elvis entered the studio again in March of 1975 which produced the album "Today" - the highlight of these sessions was a studio jam on "Tiger Man" that Elvis slowed down to a slower blues beat vastly different from the rockabilly take recorded during the 1968 NBC TV Special. This track did not make the album, but turned up on CD in 1995 on a 1970's retrospective. The ablum "Today" would have been better if it had been included.