Elvis Presley 'Loving You'

ELVIS PRESLEY 'LOVING YOU' - 52 minutes. 

Elvis' 2nd movie basically paralleled his own rags-to-riches story. A far more suitable vehicle than his first film, Love Me Tender, it gave Elvis a chance to show off his personality and dynamite magnetism. Even better, it was in glorious colour! When Elvis started filming he was already a rock’n’roll sensation even though he had only had five major hit singles in his career. 

There was suitable exciting tension between Elvis and various co-stars, Elvis got his first on-screen kiss (with Jana Lund) and dated co-star Yvonne Lime for a while. The real "Blue Moon Boys" got to play his backing band, Elvis parents appeared in the film, and Elvis got to rock out with ‘Mean Woman Blues’. January 14th 1957 was a momentous occasion when Elvis had his hair dyed black for the role before filming. 

Like a lot of today’s Elvis fans I grew up as a kid in school watching Elvis movies on summer’s Sunday afternoons during school holidays. The vast majority of those movies were Elvis’ fluffy 60s travelogues. So it was always a better weekend when the BBC chose to broadcast Jailhouse Rock or Loving You.  

Like many of us I have previously purchased this soundtrack on vinyl, the RCA Essential Elvis Volume 1, the 2005 BMG re-issue and the FTD 'Loving You' Classic Album - not forgetting the FTD Deluxe book 'Something For The Girls'.

More recently, as part of Anthony Stuchbury's Mono-II-Stereo RDM release 'Presley: The Essential 50's Masters' I acquired the 'Loving You' masters in stereo as part of the set.

Do I need to buy it once again? Probably not. However the pleasure I found in playing Stuchbury's recent stand-alone 'King Creole' release helped me make the obvious decision to check out this new 'Loving You' compilation released by his very own JAS label out of the UK.

While my earliest Elvis albums were cheap Camden releases or greatest hits compilations, the Loving You LP (borrowed from my older brother) was a particular favourite.

The Package This first JAS release being presented in a deluxe sturdy case is a nice touch – it stands out nicely next to my other versions.  The cover design is a neat homage to the Japanese 1958 mono release and the 8-page booklet features some of the multiple UK releases as well as movie posters.  Under the CD-holder is a cool alternate shot of Elvis taken at the photo-session. The sleeve notes by David Parker details the impact of the original movie as well as all the multiple RCA releases. I had completely forgotten that RCA UK released the album ‘Flaming Star & Summer Kisses’ in 1965 which was basically the ‘Loving You’ soundtrack with three extra songs. I can’t ever remember seeing that album in my UK second-hand record store.

About the movie he notes…
... “With no mass television exposure outside the United States… Elvis's big-screen appearances will be influential in broadening his international appeal, and the thrilling musical performances featured in the technicolour ‘Loving You’ gave fans around the world to taste of what they'd been missing”

While he rightly explains why it was worthwhile buying this set again.
.. “For historical accuracy this title reprises the original mono recordings, with the addition of the newly created stereo mixes by producer Anthony Stuchbury means that even long-term fans are likely to come away with a fresh perspective on Elvis' first long playing soundtrack album. As Deke Rivers once sang, 'why don't you take a listen'. I'm sure you won't be disappointed..

The Music
‘The Mono Masters’ kick off the CD, with the seven soundtrack recordings plus three ‘alternate’ masters. 

The wonderful rock’n’roll growl of the first track ‘Mean Woman Blues’ was recorded at Elvis’ earlier ‘Peace In The Valley’ sessions but the vast majority of the album - from the smash-hit ‘Teddy Bear’ to the excitement of ‘(Let’s Have A) Party’ demonstrated that Elvis ‘1956’ sound had expanded, recording with side musicians Tiny Timbrell on rhythm guitar, as well as the ever-reliable Dudley Brooks joining the band on piano for the very first time.  

From side one of the original album Teddy Bear (with its classic Dudley Brooks intro), Loving You, Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do, and Party were all big-selling single sides - and ‘Mean Woman Blues’ could also have easily been a smash single. 

Interestingly the mainstream media at the time were complaining about Elvis’ loutish pronunciation “You do call it singing?” - so it’s hilarious that Elvis deliberately slurred the lyrics of ‘Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do’ which in the UK, as a double-sided 45rpm with ‘Party’, would make #2 in the charts. 

‘Lonesome Cowboy’, at one point thought to be the Title song, with its dramatic intro adds a nice touch of a western-movie-theme to the album while the lightweight and all-too-short Leiber / Stoller ‘Hot Dog’ harks back to the sound of Elvis’ SUN material.  

Mono Alternate Masters are
‘Mean Woman Blues’ movie version - a classic with that added intro, handclaps and Scotty’s wild guitar it is a gem.

‘Party’ is the shorter movie version as first recorded on the Paramount soundstage, Elvis voice sounds raw and it’s far more of a ‘party’ atmosphere with simple ending compared to the purer ‘record version’.

 ‘Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do’ – The first version in the film with Elvis and the band sound comparatively sparse with Scotty’s guitar playing all over the place. This was no doubt deliberate as according to session notes this was Take 17.   Elvis adds the cool slow-drawn-out blues-ending that was not used on the single version. 

At this point the album bursts into ‘True Stereo’.
With the musicians now separated you can get even more enjoyment listening closely to how the band, and engineer Thorne Nogar, put the sound together.

Kicking off, the stereo ‘Mean Woman Blues’ is a rock’n’roll classic - Scotty Moore’s guitar (left channel) wanders all over in a delightfully spontaneous style and you can also focus on Bill Black’s driving plucked bass-line. Plus the Jordanaires provide some great hand-claps and backing vocal (right channel). It’s a brilliant stereo mix. 

Immediately I noticed that these are very different stereo mixes to Stuchbury’s previous work on the 50s box-set. Here The Jordanaires are mixed right-channel which sounds correct to me as this was usually the case on Elvis’ stereo mixes. 

Note: I did ask Stuchbury a question about their placement in our 50’s Essential Masters interview 

Teddy Bear – not my favourite but sounding much better in stereo here with Dudley Brooks’ driving piano and again the Jordanaires right channel sounds as it should had RCA recorded it in stereo at the time. 

‘Loving You’ is beautifully open here with Elvis and Bill Black centre channel, Scotty Moore & Dudley Brooks left, Jordanaires right channel. While always a heartfelt ballad in stereo it sounds sublime.

Stuchbury has mentioned that he did upgrade his stereo masters for this release – it is the first set released on his own JAS label – and on headphones and loud-speakers they sound very nice indeed. It seems that he has done more work on separating the instruments, as well as making the mixes more consistent.

This is presumably because on his ‘50’s Essential Masters’ box-set they were presented as various chronological recording sessions whereas here it is the Loving You dedicated album.

‘Lonesome Cowboy’ is another movie track that benefits from this stereo mix with the chance to focus on Elvis’ dramatic vocal where he is testing out his vocal range and power.

‘Party’ a particular favourite, rocks with a driving bass-line, Dudley Brooks’ piano plus the Jordanaires helping Elvis “shake a chicken in the middle of the room” on the right channel.        

The original album B-side of “Elvis’ very special treatment of five well-known popular ballads” follows.. 

‘Blueberry Hill’ sadly never a particularly inspirational version sounds more interesting in Stereo with Dudley Brooks piano trills left channel and some nice bass work from Bill Black. It always sounds that Elvis is a little bored singing this classic – perhaps he know he couldn’t beat Fats Domino’s original. 

‘True Love’ immediately makes up for it – who could have imagined Rock’n’Roll’s greasy & dangerous Elvis in 1957 singing a charming Cole Porter song! With Scotty Moore on acoustic left channel, Bill Black simple bass-plucking right, and Jordanaires super-clear, it is fascinating as you can really examine and enjoy the tight harmonies. No wonder it took 20 takes, it is sublime.   

On ‘Have I Told You Lately That I Love’ Stuchbury had made me happy by placing Elvis’ driving guitar back-slap (mid channel where Elvis is ‘standing’) and moving the Jordanaires to the (correct) right channel. Some fans feel disappointed with this song (Ernst Jorgensen calls it a “lifeless master”) but I have always enjoyed how Elvis played with his vocals running up & downscale while also throwing in some of his tell-tale mannerisms. Very nice in stereo.

If fans felt that the B-side was a little flat in comparison the final cut of Ivory Joe Hunter’s ‘I Need You So’ was a brilliant finale and a delicious hark-back to Elvis’ roots. It is magnificent in stereo with Dudley Brooks’ bluesy piano and DJ’s tight drumming standing out. With the Jordanaires backing-vocal right channel you can really enjoy Elvis’ soaring vocal and their harmonies. It sure sounds as if the Jordanaires actually hum at points (rather than sing) on some of the earlier verses – I had never noticed this before. 

Finally some Bonus Stereo Tracks..

‘Loving  You - Opening Titles’ Taken from the actual film soundtrack this was ‘fast movie Version KX 21’ with added orchestra overdubs - left channel.  Hearing this you can’t help but think of the opening titles. Never before released in stereo and in this quality this is a neat addition

‘Movie Road Medley’ I recorded these songs off my parents TV when I was a kid. In the film this medley features 20 minutes in, right after Elvis sings ‘Party’. Listening back you realise how tacky the mid-song orchestral fillers were. Happy memories.

‘Party’ - Alternate Master is so sweet in stereo, pure Elvis, no Jordanaires and great piano work.

 ‘Loving You - Orchestral Version’ is a delicious ending featuring overdubbed orchestra over Elvis’ slow ‘farm version’ with a rather touching vocal.  

Overall Verdict: Having spent the last ten weeks consumed by Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC movie and soundtrack it was delightful reset getting this new ‘Loving You’ compilation in the post.
In the same way I enjoyed Stuchbury's recent 'King Creole' release this 52 minute version of one of my favourite Elvis movie soundtracks is a joy to listen to.
The mono versions rock like they should while, for me, the newly remastered Stereo versions sound much better with Jordanaires right channel and some beautifully clear instrumental separation.
A lovingly produced compilation and all that more exciting being the first release on Stuchbury’s very own JAS label.
Buying it from the UK’s Elvis4Sale also has the benefit of cheaper O/S postage to Australia than the rather high cost added by his previous European RDM label.

'Some people like to rock,
Some people like to roll,
But moving and a-grooving going to satisfy my soul'...

If you want a copy you should order asap via UK’s Elvis4Sale as it's nearly Sold Out.

CD Review by Piers Beagley.
-Copyright EIN May 2026
EIN Website content ©
Copyright the Elvis Information Network.

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The Mono Masters: 1.  Mean Woman Blues 2.  (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 3.  Loving You 4.  Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do 5.  Lonesome Cowboy 6.  Hot Dog 7.  (Let's Have A) Party 8.  Mean Woman Blues - Movie Edit 9.  Party - Alternate Master 10. Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do - Alternate Master The Mono To Stereo Album: 11. Mean Woman Blues 12. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 13. Loving You 14. Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do 15. Lonesome Cowboy 16. Hot Dog 17. (Let's Have A) Party 18. Blueberry Hill 19. True Love 20. Don't Leave Me Now 21. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You 22. I Need You So SPECIAL BONUS SONGS 23. Loving  You - Opening Titles* 24. Movie Road Medley* 25. Party - Alternate Master* 26. Loving You - Orchestral Version* * Mono To Stereo Versions

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