RCA has often been criticized for repetitive and poorly annotated Elvis reissues. Things have gotten much more interesting, thanks to imaginative projects such as the ongoing Essential Elvis series; Such a Night is the six... more »th title in the string. Between 1960 (when he left the army) and '64, Presley spent 11 nights cutting 81 masters in Nashville. Those tracks were later spread out across albums, singles, and compilations. The original masters of 50 of those tunes (some of which are heard here in alternate takes) ended up on the Top 100 charts. Fifteen went gold and six made it to platinum. For Such a Night, producers Ernst Michael Jorgensen and Roger Semon assembled 19 alternate takes and the master take of the title cut into what could have been a Presley album from the period. The result is an astonishing glimpse into one of the artist's legendary all-night recording marathons. While Presley fans will swoon, this is no collectors-only disc. He literally nails every tune here. Snatches of studio patter add atmosphere. And while some of the material is dated, the rockin' "Little Sister" and a killer version of the Little Willie John hit "Fever" are as fresh today as when they were recorded. Actually, taking into account the improved mix heard here, they're probably fresher. --Robert Baird« less
RCA has often been criticized for repetitive and poorly annotated Elvis reissues. Things have gotten much more interesting, thanks to imaginative projects such as the ongoing Essential Elvis series; Such a Night is the sixth title in the string. Between 1960 (when he left the army) and '64, Presley spent 11 nights cutting 81 masters in Nashville. Those tracks were later spread out across albums, singles, and compilations. The original masters of 50 of those tunes (some of which are heard here in alternate takes) ended up on the Top 100 charts. Fifteen went gold and six made it to platinum. For Such a Night, producers Ernst Michael Jorgensen and Roger Semon assembled 19 alternate takes and the master take of the title cut into what could have been a Presley album from the period. The result is an astonishing glimpse into one of the artist's legendary all-night recording marathons. While Presley fans will swoon, this is no collectors-only disc. He literally nails every tune here. Snatches of studio patter add atmosphere. And while some of the material is dated, the rockin' "Little Sister" and a killer version of the Little Willie John hit "Fever" are as fresh today as when they were recorded. Actually, taking into account the improved mix heard here, they're probably fresher. --Robert Baird
CD Reviews
An Essential Collection
Scott T. Rivers | Los Angeles, CA USA | 02/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Such a Night: Essential Elvis Volume 6" is a stellar compilation of alternate takes from Elvis Presley's Nashville sessions during 1960-64. The best of these studio recordings show remarkable versatility and style, particularly "Give Me the Right," "Fever" and "I'm Comin' Home." It's also great to hear alternate versions of Elvis classics such as "Little Sister" and "It Hurts Me." With the exception of Presley's Memphis sessions in 1969, these Nashville tracks represent his best studio work during the 1960s. "Such a Night" once again proves that Elvis made his finest music after his return from military service."
A MUST FOR ELVIS FANS
STEVE BRAUN | Garland, TEXAS United States | 02/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, I just can't get enough of this one. The sound is amazing and the cuts are out of this world.Vocally, Elvis may not have EVER sounded better than he did during this period of his life. Hats off too BMG for an OUTSTANDING product. It is A MUST HAVE."
Elvis in the studio 1960-64, eternal quest for perfection
Marc Haegeman | Gent, Belgium | 05/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There was nothing wrong with Elvis Presley after he came out of the army as this excellent selection of 20 Nashville studio cuts from 1960-64 amply proves. Yet the fact remains that his voice had changed and that the material he recorded was quite different from the regular pre-army stuff. The raw rock `n' roll was replaced by milder rock and pop, as illustrated by "Such A Night", "Stuck On You", "Night Rider", "Little Sister", and "Suspicion". In ballads like "Fever", "I Met Her Today", and "It Hurts Me" Elvis had never sounded better, attaining a kind of vocal perfection that is quite awesome. If there is anything that links these songs then it must be the quest for perfection by Elvis and his band. That these are "only" outtakes, some of them sounding at least as good as the masters, makes it even more amazing. The sound quality of this CD is outstanding. Highly recommended."
Top Notch Outtakes
Joseph A Jones | Verona, New Jersey United States | 12/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Elvis Is Back" has always been one of my favorite albums and naturally not long after this 6th essential Elvis volume was released, I went to the store and purchased it. I had pretty high expectations. They were surely met and exceeded. The first five out of six songs are alternates from the "Elvis Is Back" sessions and are just wonderful, very crisp and clear. The remaining 13 songs span 7 Nashville sessions and years 1961-1964. Highlights from the disc are the title track, "Give Me The Right", "I'm Coming Home", "Night Rider", "Memphis" and "It Hurts Me". Overall, RCA/BMG did a great job of selecting good quality outtakes and mixing the studio atmosphere of the sessions to create a great feel for how these tunes were cut 40 years ago.
Ranks with Essential Elvis 3 as my top two favorites from the Essential Elvis series. A definite must have."
Fly On the Wall
Joseph A Jones | 09/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You'll either love this CD or think it's unnecessary (I love it). It would be great to hear the complete 'Elvis is Back!' sessions, alternate takes & all, just to see how the songs progressed (Note: That's Chet Atkins complimenting Elvis after the botched take of 'Stuck On You'). The reissued 18-track CD of 'Elvis is Back!' combined with this CD make a formidable case for those who claim that Elvis was at his peak vocally right after his discharge from the Army. His voice was still strong enough that he did not have to rely as heavily on his vibrato, which he tended to do -- sometimes annoyingly so -- during the late 60s & 70s. Also, song selection was generally good, sometimes great (it got a lot worse before it got better), and the studio band was awesome -- probably the best of that era, and not equaled until the Motown gang and L.A.'s Wrecking Crew hit their stride a few years later. Hats off to the original sound engineers/producers as well as those responsible for the remastering/reissue. You won't find many forty-year-old recordings that sound this good."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1