''EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert' Original Soundtrack Recording

‘EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert' Original Soundtrack Recording – in-depth review by Piers Beagley.

Yesterday I went to see EPiC in the cinema for my 9th time. It is already streaming yet this is the tenth week of it showing in my local flix. Impressively it was still on one of the biggest screens and was still 1/3 full at the afternoon showing. Sydney must love Elvis!

I guess I must love the soundtrack by now and so with the vinyl finally released last weekend here are my insights on why this is already one of my favourite Elvis soundtrack releases of all-time!

The publicity for the EPiC Original Soundtrack release explained that the album was .. “Executive produced by Baz Luhrmann, and features 27 tracks from the upcoming film combining newly restored live performances with fresh remixes and medleys created from Elvis’ original recordings.”

It is a packed 74 minutes of pure Elvis delight. How funny to recall that some of Elvis’ original movie soundtrack LPs ran for under 22 minutes. This soundtrack is way more satisfying!

This original soundtrack genuinely does follow the storyline and arc of the movie and also includes some full-length versions of Elvis’ on-stage performances that were edited for the actual film. So if the movie took you on an emotional journey then this CD is a lovely keepsake of the same trip. It truly captures the glory and power and emotion of Elvis' legacy.

The soundtrack CD starts with Elvis’ TTWII 1970’s performances leaving out the 50s - 60s history lessons, along with the rehearsals.

EPiC Audio Mix: On this soundtrack Elvis’ live performances are much louder, more compressed and with added reverb compared to the original RCA multi-tracks which were a comparatively 'dry mix'. All the new mixes have the backing-vocals placed across the whole spectrum left<>right with Ronnie Tutt’s drums nice and loud and a thumping Jerry Scheff bass.

To be honest Elvis’ vocals are mixed lower than in the original RCA multitracks but this doesn’t remove any of the power of his performance. The mix reminds me of Matt Ross-Spang’s modern updates and it certainly reminds me of the power of seeing this performance on the big-screen. It's the sound of Elvis playing in a big stadium rather than the audio that RCA were recording on tape.

As you can see below the audio modulation is pushed to the max-limiters – it does actually sound like the LOUD ‘IMAX’ mix and to be honest sounds much better played through a good Hi-Fi and loudspeakers than on headphones.

The Music
Starting with the same clever scene-setting short introduction of ‘CHFIL / Also Sprach / American Trilogy’ it’s straight into Elvis’ 1970 live performances of ‘That's All Right’ and ‘Tiger Man’.

That’s All Right (EPiC Version) – Kicking off with the power-house version of Elvis’ first SUN single from his August 12 1970 Dinner show. The intro is tightened up, featuring a thumping, punchy drum intro, and with heightened audience screams mixed in, it all ups the excitement. With the added reverb and audio-compression it is super-powerful.

As in the movie James Burton’s guitar is mixed left – unless he is soloing in which case it is then moved to the middle – and with John Wilkinson’s rhythm guitar right channel. This is a very nice and unique feature of these new mixes.
Surprisingly Elvis’ deliberate joke of “Love me tender, love me true” as included in the movie is cut from the beginning here making it feel more professional.

Movie Note: This Aug 12 Dinner show track as featured in the movie has never been seen before not even on bootleg. This was definitely a new Baz Luhrmann MGM vaults discovery as even in the fabulous FTD ‘That’s The Way It Is’ book this footage is noted as ‘Not Located’.

The cd then goes straight into the fabulous ‘Tiger Man’ (August 12 Midnight show) - unfortunately like the film the Mystery Train first section is omitted - but it again reflects the power and excitement of the film’s tight editing.

‘Wearin’ That Night Life Look’ (Elvis & Jamieson Shaw) - In the original TTWII Elvis walked through the crowd to a lengthy Love Me Tender instrumental but in ‘EPiC’ we get the joy of Elvis telling the band to “just play the hell out of it” as he decides to jump into the audience. This mash-up, with its fabulous ‘Let Yourself Go’ horn-section intro, is a real delight which so cleverly combines the Las Vegas 'Night Life' lyrics with the shoop-shoop “Loved On Look” all about his loving fans. It so suits the scene of Elvis getting super-close to his audience.

In the movie it runs only 80 seconds but here we get the full 3:13 version. This includes an extra mid-way-through gospel section with ‘I John’ piano and also the Sweet Inspirations’ “hallelujah” mixed in. At the end of the song Elvis’ quote “just play the hell out of it” fits perfectly.

Full marks to music producer Jamieson Shaw for this great concept which truly reflects his knowledge of Elvis’ sessions, as well as some cool bass playing and additional scoring. Non-Elvis fans would have no idea that this wasn’t an original Elvis song! A new classic.

‘Hound Dog’ in the movie features the contrast between 1956 and Elvis in 1970 but here we get the short and sweet ‘Hound Dog’ (EPiC Version) from 11 August Dinner show. The song neatly starts with Elvis talking - from August 10 Opening Show - about originally being “a little bitty guy, with little bitty sideburns and little shaky leg, they said put him on TV and shoot him from the waist up.”

‘Polk Salad Annie (EPiC Version)’ - In the movie this is a real highlight, an incredible mix of various rehearsals and live performances amazingly edited together. It is stunning.
This version similarly starts with the “We’re gonna’ get dirty on you” quote from August 10 Opening Show followed by the “gotta little morphine, give me a little hish-hash” rehearsal teasing. It is basically the movie version slightly tightened up. The intro is August 10 Opening Show, followed by Elvis scatting “Hey-hey-umm-umm” / “pick-a-mess-of-what?” and with “That’s all they had to eat, but they did all right” taken and then looped from his Aug 11 Dinner Show - before we cut to the explosive August 12 Midnight show version including the incredible work-out and the end.
Just like the movie it is an incredible edit and a joy to listen to.

Movie Note: In the film ‘Polk Salad Annie’ Aug 10 D/S & Aug 11 D/S are both previously unseen footage.

‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling (EPiC Version)’ another classic, the Aug 11 Midnight show version where Elvis fluffs the line, “There’s no tenderness in your eyes when you reach out for me”! The new EPiC audio mix is super–powerful with some lovely tight percussion and powerful Sweet Inspirations backing-vocals. The added power of this EPiC mix also helps emphasise the intensity that Elvis puts into his sweaty heart-felt performance. This runs full-length 4:21 where in the film it is cut to 2 ½ minutes.

Movie Note: In the film the Aug 11 M/S is yet again more never before seen footage!

‘Little Sister/Get Back’ (EPiC Version) – Elvis’ outstanding Aug 12 Midnight Show sit-down jam playing his Gretch guitar was always a fan highlight from possibly Elvis' ‘Best All-Time Performance.’ This new mix places James Burton on the left and also emphasises more of Elvis’ guitar playing, plus increases the power of the backing-vocals. Running 3 minutes it is a great jam with great call & response from the Sweet Inspirations. Personally I would love to have the whole sit-down-jam, including the missed out ‘I Was The One’ released in this new audio mix.

Movie Note: Only 1.30 of ‘Little Sister’ of this jam was previously released with the TTWII Special edition – ‘Get Back’ was never included.

‘Burning Love (EPiC Version)’ - Based on the RPO version (which despite my generally not enjoying those Elvis / RPO albums is one of their better re-versions) this actually works in the movie with the mix of rehearsals, the pressure of being on-tour, his loving fans as well as the fun of Elvis’ first live attempt at Greensboro. With audience screams mixed in this truly works as a “soundtrack” song.

‘Never Been to Spain (EPiC Version)’ - Baz Luhrmann has stated that discovering this Hampton Roads version was a real find describing it as a “roaring take on 'Never Been to Spain'”
In the song’s intro Elvis notes, “There’s so many places I haven’t been yet, I’d like to go to Europe” before performing a stunning version. One of my very few disappointments with this soundtrack CD is that this is heavily edited taking out James Burton’s guitar solo and the following two verses (from 01:40) and thus cutting the song to a short 2:10 instead of 3:30. The full version would have fitted onto the CD.

Movie Note: This Hampton Roads version is yet again never before seen footage.

‘Love Me’ (Jamieson Shaw Remix) – Another impressive new ‘Mash-up’ mixing Elvis’ 1956 studio version with a ripping ‘I’ve Got Confidence’ funky bass-line and the delightful ‘It Hurts Me’ violins at the end. This is quite different from the movie version but still remains a super-clever mix emphasising Elvis’ closeness to his fans.

Movie Note: EPiC combines various footage along with Elvis’ Hampton Roads performance – with a fan-thrown bra worn on his head - and with the Aug 12 sit-down-stool, Gretch guitar ending.

‘I Can’t Stop Loving You (EPiC Version)’ – The absolute intensity that Elvis invests into every word of this August 11 DS performance is breathtaking. EPiC only comes in half-way through but still demonstrates Elvis’ on-stage power. This full-length version, once again with added audience applause, helps emphasise how hard Elvis worked for his fans.

Movie Note: This song was not featured in the original TTWII film but was included in the ‘Special Edition’ version.

The applause continues and segues into Elvis unique sit-down ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight? (EPiC Version)’ - here with James Burton’s guitar left channel and Elvis calling out “Sing it Armond” with his beautiful low-bass then emphasised it’s an excellent updated version.

‘Always On My Mind’ (EPiC Version) - In EPiC this notably features touching footage of Lisa Marie as a child – but only runs 90 seconds. Taken from Elvis’ March 30 RCA studio rehearsals but with newly added strings and rhythm section the CD version runs a longer 2:30 and is a lovely alternate version. As in the movie it is shortened removing the final repeated choruses.

Movie Note: In the film Elvis’ final comment, “It’s weird isn’t it? On headphones” is actually his comment at the end of the ‘Johnny B Goode’ rehearsal just before they started trying out ‘Always On My Mind’.

‘How Great Thou Art (EPiC Version)’ – Elvis’ stunning Hampton Roads version. It is superb but when seen in the film with the fascinating interaction between Elvis and his backing-singers, it is even more impressive. The RCA recording placed the backing-vocalists on the right channel whereas EPiC increases their involvement by placing them across left<>right. It is a super-powerful mix.

Movie Note: Previously seen in ‘Lost Performances’ but not in this new stunning close-up quality.

‘Oh Happy Day’ (EPiC Version) - A true highlight of both the movie and this soundtrack. Totally upgraded from the original rough-sounding rehearsal to a full-blown studio sound. With added backing-vocals and gospel organ, Jamieson Shaw has again created a stunning “new” Elvis recording. The beautiful ‘a cappella’ section at the end is also newly created.
In the film it runs 1 minute (the original rehearsal ran 1.50) but here it is beautifully looped to create a stunning 3 minute version. Brilliant.

‘A Big Hunk O’ Love (EPiC Version)’ Taken from Elvis’ excellent Greensboro concert this version rocks. With the Sweets soulful hand-claps emphasised, plus more Ronnie Tutt and Jerry Scheff, this mix adds more power to the original.

Movie Note: The original ‘Elvis On Tour’ featured Elvis’ Hampton Roads version while this Greensboro version was only available via low-quality bootleg – another great find by Baz Luhrmann.

‘Bridge Over Troubled Water (EPiC Version)’ - The beautiful and powerful Hampton Roads version where Elvis intensely concentrates on every word and every harmony from the backing vocalists. With more bass and percussion, plus louder orchestra and added crowd involvement this version sounds like an almighty “Arena concert” compared to the original RCA recording. It truly does sounds like ‘IMAX’.

Seeing Elvis’ intensity on film and that amazing "stage-jump" of satisfaction at the end makes this recording even more powerful to listen to.

Movie Note: This Hampton Roads filmed version is again never before seen footage – not even on bootleg – yet another brilliant discovery.
Disappointingly in the movie this live version starts 2 minutes into the song, which was surely a difficult decision to make when editing down the movie to fit into the convenient 90 minute production decision.

‘In the Ghetto (Jamieson Shaw Remix)’ - Some fans were upset that EPiC used Elvis’ isolated studio vocal for this ‘live” performance but this song is more about the narrative arc of the story - “I prefer to keep my personal views to myself, I’m just an entertainer” - than the power of Elvis on stage. As in the movie the song includes Elvis, “Men with broken hearts” poem.
With Elvis’ solo voice, sparse percussion and swirling strings in minor keys, this version has a lovely poignancy that brings some quiet reflection to the film - “So help your brother along the way no matter where he starts” – before the powerful finale.

The same remix was used in Luhrmann’s ‘ELVIS’ biopic but with an added ‘ghetto rap’ to make it more contemporary. It is far, far better here.

‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes (EPiC Version)’ Performed only three times during his TTWII season this is the ‘Lost Performances’ version from August 11 Midnight Show. In EPiC it has the second verse omitted but here it is full-length, the perfect song to segue straight into..

‘Suspicious Minds (EPiC Version)’ – This cd version, running 4:45, interestingly differs from the multiple-edits movie version. Kicking off with Elvis announcing “Suspicious Minds” we start with the August 11 Dinner show version (here it includes the “So if an old friend I know” second verse & chorus edited out of the film) before cutting at 02:22 to the more powerful Aug 12 Midnight Show version. In the film but not included here you see Elvis walking over to The Sweets from the Aug 12 Dinner Show.

This version continues with the stunning Aug 12 Midnight Show until it finally cuts to the Aug 12 Dinner Show “Elvis shaking climax” used in the film and also the dramatic end of this soundtrack version.
It is a stunning ‘new’ edit and sounds great - even if rather oddly missing out that Sweets mid-song interaction.

Movie Note: The TTWII original film featured Elvis’ August 12 Midnight Show performance which interestingly was not used in the new EPiC movie.

‘Bring the Curtain Down (EPiC Outro)’ Another perfect soundtrack ‘mash-up”. In the film this delightfully concludes the arc from the very start of EPiC with “Glory, Glory Halleluiah..” to the finale “so hush little baby, don’t you cry, you know your daddy’s bound to die” which then combines the ‘I’m Yours’ soliloquy with ‘Lonesome Tonight’ “then they can bring the curtain down, and I’ll be there” – with the film noting the unbelievable fact that...

The fact that Elvis gave so much for all his fans - and with such intensity - is one of the truly emotional moments in the film.

‘Can’t Help Falling in Love (EPiC Version)’ From his Opening show Elvis is still putting in all his energy while obviously exhausted, with an a Capella start it cleverly moves to one of Elvis’ more intense finales.

Movie Note: This is also never before seen footage, the original TTWII featured his August 12 MS performance, the Special Edit used the Aug 11 M/S.
Finally, in the short gold-curtain-coming-down section EPiC combines footage of the Opening Show/ Aug 12 M/S / Aug 12 D/S / Aug 12 M/S with the exhausted Elvis getting in the lift from Aug 12 D/S. It is stunning editing.

‘American David (EPiC Version)’ - The decision to include a drastically edited Bono’s American David poem was an interesting choice. Apparently Bono and Baz are friends. For me it worked ok as a famous outsider’s point of view on the power of Elvis – but surely Luhrmann should have stuck with Elvis’ “Every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times...I learned very early in life that: ‘Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain’t got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song.' So I keep singing a song. Goodnight. Thank you.”
That would have worked even better.

‘A Change of Reality (Do You Miss Me?)’ (Elvis Presley & Jamieson Shaw) - The movie credits hit with yet another marvellous ‘Mash-Up’ (also used earlier in the movie in the ‘crazy-60s-movie-montage’) starting with the ‘Charro’ orchestra mixed with the funky ‘Change Of Habit’ bass-line before slipping into ‘Edge of Reality’ and ‘Are You Lonesome’s “Do you miss me”, Elvis also provides his own “cha-cha” beat-box lifted from his Polk Salad work-out. Jamieson Shaw certainly knows his Elvis sessions and what obscurity might fit with another to create something new. This is perfect Elvis’ funk to play over the final credits.

‘Don’t Fly Away (PNAU Remix)’ - PNAU, from Sydney Australia, created a huge-selling number 1 with their ‘Cold Heart’ mash-up of Elton John’s Sacrifice / Rocket Man featuring Dua Lipa and set to any easy-disco-beat. So it was no surprise that Baz Luhrmann hoped they could do the same with ‘Don’t Fly Away’ a mash-up of ‘Any Day Now’ / Suspicious Minds. It was featured in his biopic ‘Elvis’ and is repeated here and works rather nicely as the audience file out of the cinema.
The lyrical mix is clever – especially as the general public will have no knowledge of Any Day Now – but to me it’s the least interesting mash-up perhaps due to the rather obvious “stars-on-45” beat. I also found Elton John’s ‘Cold Heart’ rather dreary. Shame this wasn’t a chart-topping hit though!

On a final note, I would have been more than happy for it to have been a double CD including some of the missed songs (ie ‘Stranger In My Own Hometown’, ‘Twenty Days and Twenty Nights’) and the rehearsals in full. I hope the sales keep increasing as people discover the movie on the various streaming platforms.

Overall Verdict: I loved the movie and similarly love this new soundtrack. With four “new” Elvis songs (mash-ups) by Jamieson Shaw plus the extended ‘Oh, Happy Day’ along with some brilliantly remixed live performances from 1970 and 1972 this is a stunning new Elvis collection presenting Elvis at his very best.
Running a packed 74 minutes and 27 tracks there is little you can fault with Elvis’ performances sounding more intense than on previous RCA versions.
The full-blast audio mix sounds excellent on loud-speakers and it’s great for playing in the car.

If you were moved by the 'EPiC' movie then this is the perfect listening experience and great value for money. Congratulations to Baz Luhrmann, Jamieson Shaw and Ernst Jorgensen.

Review by Piers Beagley.
-Copyright EIN May 1st 2026
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.

Please note that the low-res personal scans used in this review do not show the true quality of the images.

Soundtrack Album Executive Producer: Baz Luhrmann
Compilation Producers: Baz Luhrmann & Jamieson Shaw

1. Can’t Help Falling in Love (EPiC Intro) (0:21)
2. Also Sprach Zarathustra/An American Trilogy (EPiC Version) – Elvis Presley & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1:50)
3. That’s All Right (EPiC Version) (2:02)
4. Tiger Man (EPiC Version) (1:41)
5. Wearin’ That Night Life Look – Elvis & Jamieson Shaw (3:13)
6. Hound Dog (EPiC Version) (1:21)
7. Polk Salad Annie (EPiC Version) (5:43)
8. You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling (EPiC Version) (4:21)
9. Little Sister/Get Back (EPiC Version) (3:04)
10. Burning Love (EPiC Version) – Elvis Presley & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (3:23)
11. Never Been to Spain (EPiC Version) (2:15)
12. Love Me (Jamieson Shaw Remix) – Elvis Presley & Jamieson Shaw (3:49)
13. I Can’t Stop Loving You (EPiC Version) (2:13)
14. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (EPiC Version) (1:47)
15. Always On My Mind (EPiC Version) (2:31)
16. How Great Thou Art (EPiC Version) (2:52)
17. Oh Happy Day (EPiC Version) (3:11)
18. A Big Hunk O’ Love (EPiC (2:07)
19. Bridge Over Troubled Water (EPiC Version) (4:14)
20. In the Ghetto (Jamieson Shaw Remix) – Elvis Presley & Jamieson Shaw (4:10)
21. Walk a Mile in My Shoes (EPiC Version) (2:00)
22. Suspicious Minds (EPiC Version) (4:50)
23. Bring the Curtain Down (EPiC Outro) (1:11)
24. Can’t Help Falling in Love (EPiC Version) (1:57)
25. American David (EPiC Version) – Bono & Elliott Wheeler (0:49)
26. A Change of Reality (Do You Miss Me?) – Elvis Presley & Jamieson Shaw (3:10)
27. Don’t Fly Away (PNAU Remix) – Elvis Presley & PNAU (4:09)

'EPiC' - Elvis Presley in Concert' EIN Review: Baz Luhrmann's 'EPiC' - Elvis Presley in Concert' opens in cinemas worldwide today Feb 27, 2026. It has already received rave reviews in the general media and now EIN has a deeper look.
Director Baz Luhrmann explained.."'EPiC' is not specifically a documentary, nor a concert film: Elvis takes the audience through the journey of his life, weaving never-before-seen footage with iconic performances that have never been presented in this way, from the 1970 Vegas show, on tour in 1972 and even precious moments of the 1957 “gold jacket” performance in Hawaii.
Most importantly, Elvis will sing and tell you about his life in first person, through both classic and contemporary musical prisms.”

Directed by Baz Luhrmann and edited by Jonathan Redmond, the documentary is 96 minutes of stunning insight into Elvis the artist, caring friend and creative genius from small-town Mississippi.
Watching 'EPiC' on big screen is one of those deeply satisfying tactile experiences that can truly only be felt in your body. A great meal. A satisfying run. Swimming in warm ocean. Crisp mountain air. Playing with your puppy. Having a good buzz...

EIN's Piers Beagley and Vince Alex explain the wonder and excitement of the best Elvis documentary ever produced...
Note that this in-depth review deliberately avoids any major spoilers.
(MovieReview, Source;ElvisInformation Network)

20 'EPiC' Questions with Ernst Jorgensen: At all the Australian premieres Baz Luhrmann noted that 'EPiC' - Elvis Presley in Concert' would never have been made without the work of his Editor Jonathon Redmond and "Elvis expert" Ernst Jorgensen.

EIN is certain that 'EPiC' - Elvis Presley in Concert' will be the documentary that future generations will watch to discover more about this mythical figure from the 1950s that changed the course of pop culture.

Ernst Jorgensen is credited as 'Music Consultant' for the new Baz Luhrmann film and EIN was certain that he must have been involved throughout the whole process since he was also credited in Luhrmann's ELVIS biopic.
Ernst Jorgensen kindly agreed to answer a few questions for us.

EIN's Piers Beagley asked the twenty 'EPiC' questions - and also snuck in one about a future FTD sessions set!
(Interviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'Elvis On Tour' Box-Set In-Depth Review: The January 2023 'Elvis On Tour' SONY release is a 6CD / 1 Blu-Ray box set comprised of the audio from four of the shows (and two rehearsals) that were part of Elvis’ 1972 North American tour.
Originally recorded for the Elvis On Tour concert film that was released later that year, the set features a total of 145 tracks, including 91 previously unreleased tracks, as well as the award-winning concert film on Blu-ray.
RCA/Legacy's Elvis On Tour box set is produced by Ernst Jørgensen and mixed by Grammy Award-winning Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang.
Elvis' April 1972 concerts were magnificent, so hopefully this expensive 50th anniversary release including newly remastered concert performances captures the magnificence and excitement of the movie and Elvis' stunning shows.
After fifty years surely SONY/RCA will get it right.....

EIN's in-depth review by Piers Beagley checks out the positives and negatives in this 4,500 word review ... NOW UPDATED WITH YOUR COMMENTS -
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'ELVIS / MEMPHIS' In-depth Review: The SONY RCA 'ELVIS / MEMPHIS' 2024 5-CD box-set was released last month.
The publicity promised.. "MEMPHIS is a comprehensive collection that takes listeners through the many recordings Elvis had done while in Memphis - from his songs at SUN Records, to his American Studio and Stax sessions, through to his 1974 hometown show and finally, his last recordings in Graceland.
This 5-CD collection of Elvis’ songs over the years features 111 tracks, 88 of which are newly mixed versions of the select recordings, pure and without overdubs."
The five CDs each focus on SUN Records, American Studios, Stax Studios, LIVE Mid-South Coliseum Memphis and Graceland. Elvis fans have of course bought these tracks multiple times before and FTD have even released most of the "Undubbed masters".
However with 'ELVIS / MEMPHIS' engineer Matt Ross-Spang remixing these crucial recordings, often creating something unique and new for 2024 and there is much to enjoy.
In fact listening to this set is like a five-course 'MEMPHIS degustation' since every individual recording session has a different flavour and vibe. .
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley provides a 5,500 word review checking out every track to reveal what new excitements fans might discover..
You can also 'Have Your Say' - what did you like or dislike about this new release? NOW UPDATED with Readers comments.
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'Way Down In The Jungle Room' EIN Review: 40th anniversary of Elvis’ last recording sessions which took place in Graceland’s Jungle Room.
The publicity noted the sessions “have been newly mixed by Matt Ross-Spang at Sam Phillips Recording” and “includes both outtakes and in-the-studio dialog, providing a ‘fly-on-the-wall experience’ of what the sessions were like".
Elvis' original 76/77 albums were fairly uninspired collections (bar a few fine singles) and on the original LPs it was almost impossible to glimpse any sign of creative input from Elvis through the syrupy overdubs. It wasn't until the release of FTD’s magnificent ‘The Jungle Room Sessions’ that many fans began to understand the raw emotion, close camaraderie and Elvis’ personal feelings that were revealed by these intimate Graceland sessions.
To produce that same kind of revelation for the 'General Public' would be a very tricky project but that is exactly what the new legacy team has done - and to great effect.
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley discovers the old Elvis magic and what is special for Elvis Collectors in our in-depth review
Now Updated & Expanded with Your Comments - James Burton talks about the Jungle Room sessions & more
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'Live In Memphis': In 1974 Elvis focussed on a hard touring schedule and never once went into a recording studio. The 'Live On Stage In Memphis' LP first released in July '74 captured this but was virtually ignored at the time since it followed a little too closely to the #1 album 'Aloha'. Strangely it was one of the few LPs in the seventies not to have a cover picture of Elvis performing Live and the cover photo of Graceland hardly brought on the excitement & fever of an Elvis concert!

EIN takes an in-depth look at one of Elvis' best concerts of 1974, now released with a fabulous new sound mix that puts you right in the center of the Mid-South Coliseum.

‘Elvis At Stax’ [Deluxe] Reviews: Released today, it is great to see yet more good reviews and general media publicity for this new 40th Anniversary Deluxe Set.
General Jabbo of Blog Critics posted an honest review of this new release, including..
... The year 1973 was a good one for Elvis but being the world of Elvis Presley, it wasn’t without its complications, however. Presley’s relentless touring schedule had left him exhausted. He was separated from Priscilla during this time and then RCA forced Elvis into the studio.
Presley knew of Stax and its success, and its proximity to Graceland couldn’t be beat, so he scheduled sessions for July and December of that year. A plethora of material was recorded.
The sessions proved fruitful, providing material for three albums: Raised On Rock, Good Times, and Promised Land. This collection presents two complete albums and nearly a third, plus a multitude of outtakes. While many of these outtakes have been previously released on various box sets, Elvis At Stax cherrypicks many of the best of these tracks and presents them in one place.

While some of this material may not be as strong overall as earlier triumphs such as From Elvis In Memphis or Elvis Country, listeners who dismiss it outright are missing out on many fine performances. Elvis At Stax does a good job of presenting Presley’s Stax sessions in a manner that makes sense — something Presley fans have wished for years — while offering a fresh view of this material.
Go HERE to EIN's overview of the STAX media reviews and Cool Photos of the new box-set.
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInfoNet)

‘From Elvis in Nashville’ Box-set EIN In-Depth Review: A 4CD collection presenting the definitive chronicle of Elvis' 1970 marathon sessions with the "Nashville Cats".
Recorded live in RCA's Studio B over the course of an epic five day run in June 1970 now, for the first time, the sessions are presented in pristine audio, newly mixed by acclaimed engineer Matt Ross-Spang without the added overdubs appearing on earlier releases.
Elvis’ 1970 Nashville session was very different from the previous Memphis sessions or even Elvis’ later sessions. Nashville was a real mix of Elvis recording RCA supplied demos along with one-take spontaneous favourites Elvis threw into the mix.
As Elvis noted, "It don't take much to get these guys going, boy, I'll tell you…. Just give them a "well..." and they're gone. That's what I call 'Sittin' on ready".
EIN's Piers Beagley explores this new box-set to discover one of the best Elvis releases in years..
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

Memphis Sessions: "The power of Memphis soul": From the wonderful start of "After Loving You" Tk3, this CD is an extraordinary insight into Elvis rediscovering his musical roots that so escaped him in the sixties. This is Beale Street Blues and Memphis Soul combined with some of the most meaningful lyrics that he would ever record. FTD once again let us eavesdrop on Elvis, this time at his most important recording session of his career. An essential purchase.

'A Boy From Tupelo' 2017 In-depth Review: Back in early 2012 Ernst Jorgensen published his definitive look at Elvis during his sensational and creative Sun Records period as a FTD deluxe book/CD package. It had been a project he had been working on for more than a decade.
Now in 2017, RCA/SONY has republished 'A Boy From Tupelo' in a cut-down format and at a price anyone can afford.
This is the story of Elvis Presley before he becomes world-famous, and how this amazing young man readies himself for stardom, achieving success on a level that no one could have dreamed possible.
It features all of Elvis' Sun recordings on 3 CDs plus Elvis LIVE, on the radio, and in concert in the best possible sound. The new release also includes a previously officially unreleased "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" from a 1955 Louisiana Hayride performance.
Our in-depth 3,000 word review provides a detailed look, with 14 example pages plus additional photos from the book.
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this new slimline version released for the 'General Public'..
For fans who have asked, we also compare the 2012 'A Boy From Tupelo' Deluxe FTD to the new "Mainstream" release.
(Book/CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'From Elvis at Sun' Stereo CD Review: A new ‘From Elvis at Sun’ “Mono II Stereo” release from the Danish Memphis Mansion label.
The compilation includes the five classic SUN SINGLES plus the other nine alternate cuts that RCA would purchase from Sam Phillips.
Keen Elvis fans must surely have a serious fascination about how Elvis' early ground-breaking recordings were created.
Why do Elvis' classic rock’n’roll singles sound so good, especially given the low quality recording equipment of the time? And how were they laid down in the studio?
One way to discover the wonders of 50’s rock’n’roll inventiveness is to examine "stereo" versions of the old mono recordings and it is only since the creation of the cutting-edge audio process DES (Digitally Extracted Stereo) that we can do this.
Previous Mono <> Stereo versions have not quite made their mark. So is it possible that this new 2023 set can help fans appreciate the real magic and brilliance of Elvis at SUN?
EIN's 2,600 word review by Piers Beagley looks in-depth at whether new upgrades in "DES" software can help create something special from these old SUN classics...
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert'

Original Soundtrack

RCA / SONY CD

- Review by Piers Beagley

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