Elvis Now (180 Gram Audiophile Translucent Blue & Black Swirl Vinyl/Limited An

Personnel includes: Elvis Presley (vocals); Chip Young, Charlie Hodge, Harold Bradley (guitar); James Burton (guitar, dobro); Weldon Myrick (steel guitar); Bobby Thompson (banjo); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); David Briggs (piano, organ); Charlie McCoy (organ, harmonica); Norbert Putnam (bass); Jerry Carrigan (drums, percussion); Farrell Morris (percussion); The Imperials Quartet, Millie Kirkham, Jeannie Green, Mary Holladay, Ginger Holladay, Temple Riser, Dolores Edgin, June Page, Sonja Montgomery, The Nashville Edition (background vocals). Recorded at RCA Nashville Studios, Nashville, Tennessee, between June 4th and June 8th, 1970. Digitally remastered by Chick Crumpacker (March 1992, BMG Recording Studios). Recorded primarily in May and June of 1971, Elvis Now is quintessential '70s Elvis Presley, an eclectic mix of ballads, rockers, and gospel numbers all seemingly arranged with Elvis' lavish Las Vegas stage show very much in mind. Much of the material would have been familiar to a Vegas audience even before they heard Presley perform it. "Help Me Make It Through the Night" had recently been a big hit for Sammi Smith, Ocean's "Put Your Hand in the Hand" had reached number two months before Elvis recorded it, and "Early Morning Rain" was a big country hit for George Hamilton IV in 1966. As usual, Presley's singing is always good and occasionally breathtaking, and his backing band is excellent, if perhaps a little too large for some tastes. This album won't change anyone's mind about Presley's late career output, but taken on its own terms, Elvis Now is a solid effort.