From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters explained

From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters
Type:box
Artist:Elvis Presley
Cover:Elvis Presley - From Nashville to Memphis - The Essential 60s Masters Coverart.jpg
Released:September 28, 1993
Recorded:March 1960 – February 1969
Genre:Rock
Length:5:44:14
Label:RCA Records
Producer:Ernst Mikael Jorgensen
Roger Semon
Prev Year:1992
Next Year:1994

From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters is a five-disc box set compilation of studio master recordings by American singer and musician Elvis Presley during the decade of the 1960s; it was released in 1993 on RCA Records, catalogue number 66160-2. In its initial long-box release, it included a set of collectable stamps duplicating the record jackets of every Presley LP on RCA Victor, and those of the singles pertinent to this box set. The set also includes a booklet with an extensive session list and discography, as well as a lengthy essay by Peter Guralnick. Itwas certified Gold by the RIAA on November 30, 1993, and Platinum on January 6, 2004. This set followed an exhaustive box set of Presley's 1950s output and was followed by a collection of his soundtrack work a more selective box set of his work in the 1970s.

Contents

The box comprises every master recording made by Presley during the decade and released in his lifetime, with the exception of those made at sessions for movie soundtracks or for television broadcasts, with one exception in the latter case. The set also excludes Presley's gospel recordings and live performances, but does include songs that had been recorded at non-soundtrack sessions, but which were released on soundtrack albums in order to bring the album running-time to an acceptable length, such as the sessions of May 26 and May 27, 1963. As a result of these criteria, only two of Presely's 1960s original albums are represented in their entirety in the set: Elvis Is Back! and From Elvis in Memphis; all other Presley albums of the decade, with the exception of two gospel albums, included at least one film-derived recording, or in the case of From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis, live recordings.

The first four discs and the first nine tracks of the fifth disc present the studio masters in chronological session order, with the above noted exceptions. The opening eighteen tracks of the first disc contain Elvis Is Back! and its three attendant chart-topping singles, "Stuck on You", "It's Now or Never", and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", along with their B-sides. The remainder of disc one and discs two and three include the highlights "Surrender", "His Latest Flame", "Little Sister", "Suspicion", "She's Not You", his cover of Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time", and "U.S. Male". Disc three includes two previously unreleased recordings, an unreleased alternate take, and three unedited masters including a long version of the "Guitar Man" single that segues into "What'd I Say".

Disc four and the first nine tracks of disc five cover the entire released output of the Memphis sessions at American Sound Studio, yielding the albums From Elvis in Memphis and the studio disk of the double album From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis, along with various hit singles including his latter-day signature song, "Suspicious Minds". The remainder of disc five contains nine previously unreleased alternate takes, a version of Chuck Berry's "Memphis Tennessee" from an earlier session, an unreleased recording from the Memphis sessions, an undubbed version of his 1960 #1 hit single "It's Now or Never", and the duet medley of "Love Me Tender" and "Witchcraft" between Presley and Frank Sinatra, broadcast on Sinatra's ABC television special to welcome Elvis home after his service in the army ended by the spring of 1960.

RCA issued two similarly configured companions, a box set for the 1950s and another one for the 1970s. A separate two-disc set surveys highlights from the 1960s soundtracks. The two non-soundtrack studio albums from the 1960s whose contents do not appear on this box, His Hand in Mine and How Great Thou Art, were released in a similar two-disc set for the gospel recordings in 1994, .

The Sinatra/Presley duet was recorded at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, Florida. All other recordings were made in Tennessee at either RCA Studio B in Nashville, or at American Studio in Memphis. Original recordings produced by Steve Sholes, Chet Atkins, Felton Jarvis, and Chips Moman.

Track listing

Chart positions for LPs from Billboard Top Pop Albums chart; positions for singles from Billboard Pop Singles chart. Certain tracks listed as unreleased on the insert card of the jewel cases are unedited masters of issued tracks; those are indicated with an asterisk and listed with the original issue information for the released master. By late 1968, Billboard discontinued charting B-sides.

Disc one

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. Make Me Know It 2:31 1960-03-20 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
2. Soldier Boy David Jones and Theodore Williams Jr. 1:55 1960-03-20 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
3. 2:18 1960-03-20 1960-03-23 47-7740
  1. 1
4. 2:30 1960-03-20 1960-03-23 47-7740b
  1. 17
5. 2:39 1960-03-20 1960-07-05 47-7777b
  1. 32
6. 2:31 1960-03-20 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
7. 2:58 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
8. 2:24 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
9. 3:15 1960-04-03 1960-07-05 47-7777
  1. 1
10. 2:21 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
11. Dirty, Dirty Feeling 2:12 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
12. 2:38 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
13. Paul Evans and Matt Williams 2:15 1960-04-03 1960-11-01 47-7810b
  1. 20
14. 2:15 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
15. 3:05 1960-04-03 1960-11-01 47-7810
  1. 1
16. Girl Next Door Went A-Walking 2:24 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
17. Bennie Benjamin, Raymond Leveen, Lou Singer 2:28 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
18. 3:39 1960-04-03 1960-04-08 LSP 2231 Elvis Is Back!
  1. 2
19. 1:51 1960-10-30 1961-02-07 47-7850
  1. 1
20. I'm Comin' Home 2:20 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
21. Gently 2:15 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
22. In Your Arms 1:50 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
23. Give Me the Right Fred Wise and Norman Blagman 2:32 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
24. 2:53 1961-03-12 1961-05-02 47-7880
  1. 5
25. 2:39 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
26. I Want You With Me 2:13 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
27. 2:16 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1

Disc two

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. 2:03 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
2. James T. Morehead, James Cassin 2:31 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
3. Teddy Redell 2:10 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
4. Put the Blame on Me Fred Wise, Kay Twomey and Norman Blagman 1:57 1961-03-12 1961-06-17 LSP 2370 Something for Everybody
  1. 1
5. 2:46 1961-06-25 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
6. Red West and Elvis Presley 2:47 1961-06-25 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
7. 2:21 1961-06-25 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
8. 2:07 1961-06-25 1961-08-08 47-7908
  1. 4
9. 2:30 1961-06-25 1961-08-08 47-7908b
  1. 5
10. For the Millionth and the Last Time 2:05 1961-10-15 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone
  1. 10
11. 2:23 1961-10-15 1962-02-27 47-7992
  1. 1
12. 2:04 1961-10-15 1962-02-27 47-7992b
  1. 31
13. I Met Her Today 2:42 1961-10-15 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone
  1. 10
14. 2:08 1961-10-15 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
15. Something Blue Paul Evans and Al Byron 2:57 1962-03-18 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
16. Gonna Get Back Home Somehow 2:27 1962-03-18 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
17. 2:18 1962-03-18 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
18. Fountain of Love Bill Giant and Jeff Lewis 2:12 1962-03-18 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
19. Just for Old Time Sake 2:08 1962-03-18 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
20. Red West, Charlie Hodge, Elvis Presley 2:23 1962-03-18 1965-02-09 47-8500b
21. I Feel That I've Known You Forever Doc Pomus, Alan Jeffreys 1:39 1962-03-19 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
22. 1:51 1962-03-19 1962-07-17 47-8041b
  1. 55
23. 2:34 1962-03-19 1962-06-05 LSP 2523 Pot Luck with Elvis
  1. 4
24. 2:08 1962-03-19 1962-07-17 47-8041
  1. 5
25. Echoes of Love Bob Roberts and Paddy McMains 2:38 1963-05-26 1964-04-02 LSP 2894 Kissin' Cousins
  1. 6
26. Please Don't Drag That String Around 1:53 1963-05-26 1963-06-18 47-8188b
27. 2:20 1963-05-26 1963-06-18 47-8188
  1. 3
28. 1:57 1963-05-26 1964-07-14 47-8400b
29. What Now, What Next, Where To 1:56 1963-05-26 1967-06-01 LSP 3787 Double Trouble
  1. 3
30. 2:17 1963-05-26 1963-10-01 47-8243b
  1. 32
31. 1:47 1963-05-26 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone
  1. 10
32. Love Me Tonight 2:00 1963-05-26 1963-11-01 LSP 2756 Fun in Acapulco
  1. 3

Disc three

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. 2:20 1963-05-27 1964-04-02 LSP 2894 Kissin' Cousins
  1. 6
2. Western Union 2:09 1963-05-27 1968-05-01 LSP 3989 Speedway
  1. 82
3. Slowly but Surely 2:13 1963-05-27 1963-11-01 LSP 2756 Fun in Acapulco
  1. 3
4. 1:32 1963-05-27 1965-12-03 47-8740b
  1. 95
5. 2:08 1964-01-12 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone
  1. 10
6. 2:05 1964-01-12 1964-09-22 47-8840
  1. 12
7. 2:27 1964-01-12 1964-02-10 47-8307b
  1. 29
8. 2:48 1966-05-25 1966-10-31 LSP 3702 Spinout
  1. 18
9. 5:20 1966-05-25 1966-10-31 LSP 3702 Spinout
  1. 18
10. 2:50 1966-05-26 1966-06-08 47-8870
  1. 19
11. Jack Pitman 3:03 1966-05-26 previously unreleased
12. Frank Tableporter 1:58 1966-05-28 unreleased alternate take
13. 2:04 1966-05-28 1967-01-10 47-9056b
14. 2:47 1966-06-10 1967-01-10 47-9056
  1. 33
15. I'll Remember You4:05 1966-06-10 1966-10-31 LSP 3702 Spinout
  1. 18
16. 2:42 1966-06-10 1966-11-15 47-8950
17. Suppose Sylvia Dee and George Goehring 3:01 1967-03-20 previously unreleased
18. Guitar Man / What'd I Say* 2:57 1967-09-10 1968-01-09 47-9425
  1. 43
19. Luther Dixon and Al Smith 2:50 1967-09-10 1967-09-26 47-9341
  1. 38
20. Mine 2:35 1967-09-10 1968-05-01 LSP 3989 Speedway
  1. 82
21. 2:05 1967-09-10 1967-10-10 LSP 3893 Clambake
  1. 40
22. Hi-Heel Sneakers4:46 1967-09-11 1968-01-09 47-9425b
23. 2:27 1967-09-11 1967-09-26 47-9341b
  1. 44
24. Singing Tree A.L. Owens and A.C. Solberg 2:17 1967-09-11 1967-10-10 LSP 3893 Clambake
  1. 40
25. 2:29 1968-01-15 1968-10 PRS 279 Elvis Sings Flaming Star
26. 2:42 1968-01-16 1968-02-28 47-9465
  1. 28

Disc four

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. Bobby George, Vern Stovall 3:37 1969-01-13 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
2. This Is the Story 2:28 1969-01-13 1969-11 LSP 6020 From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
  1. 12
3. 2:44 1969-01-13 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
4. 3:58 1969-01-14 1969-08-26 47-9764b
5. A Little Bit of Green 3:21 1969-01-14 1969-11 LSP 6020 From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
  1. 12
6. 3:20 1969-01-14 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
7. 2:52 1969-01-14 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
8. 2:46 1969-01-15 1969-11-11 47-9768
  1. 6
9. Inherit the Wind 2:56 1969-01-15 1969-11 LSP 6020 From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
  1. 12
10. 2:47 1969-01-15 1970-04-20 47-9835b
11. My Little Friend Shirl Milete 2:43 1969-01-16 1970-01-29 47-9791b
12. 2:45 1969-01-20 1969-04-14 47-9741 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 3
13. Dory Jones, Bunny Warren 2:09 1969-01-20 1969-11-11 47-9768b
14. 2:23 1969-01-21 1969-11 LSP 6020 From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
  1. 12
15. 4:29 1969-01-21 1972-02-20 LSP 4671 Elvis Now
  1. 43
16. Danny Small 2:51 1969-01-22 1969-11 LSP 6020 From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
  1. 12
17. Eddy Arnold, Hal Horton, Thomas Dilbeck 4:32 1969-01-22 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
18. 2:21 1969-01-22 1970-04 CAS 2408 Let's Be Friends
  1. 105
19. 3:28 1969-01-22 1969-08-26 47-9764
  1. 1
20. 2:37 1969-02-17 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
21. Stranger in My Own Home Town 4:23 1969-02-17 1969-11 LSP 6020 From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
  1. 12
22. 3:08 1969-02-17 1969-11 LSP 6020 From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
  1. 12
23. Power of My Love 2:34 1969-02-18 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13

Disc five

Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. 3:05 1969-02-18 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
2. Do You Know Who I Am? 2:47 1969-02-18 1969-11 LSP 6020 From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
  1. 12
3. Eddie Rabbitt, Dick Heard 3:14 1969-02-19 1970-01-29 47-9791
  1. 16
4. 2:40 1969-02-19 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
5. 2:36 1969-02-20 1969-06-17 LSP 4155 From Elvis in Memphis
  1. 13
6. 2:58 1969-02-20 1969-04-14 47-9741b From Elvis in Memphis
7. If I'm a Fool (For Loving You) 2:43 1969-02-20 1970-04 CAS 2408 Let's Be Friends
  1. 105
8. The Fair Is Moving On 3:07 1969-02-21 1969-06-17 47-9747b From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis
9. Who Am I? 2:07 1969-02-22 1971-03-22 CALX 2472 You'll Never Walk Alone
  1. 69
10. 3:50 1969-02-17 previously unreleased
11. 2:46 1969-01-20 previously unreleased take
12. 3:14 1969-01-22 previously unreleased take
13. Eddie Rabbitt, Dick Heard 3:10 1969-02-19 previously unreleased take
14. Luther Dixon, Al Smith 3:36 1967-09-10 previously unreleased take
15. 3:11 1966-05-25 previously unreleased take
16. 2:12 1963-05-27 previously unreleased
17. 2:17 1961-06-25 previously unreleased take
18. 2:00 1961-06-25 previously unreleased take
19. Red West, Elvis Presley 2:38 1961-06-25 previously unreleased take
20. 1:50 1960-10-30 previously unreleased take
21. 3:14 1960-04-03 previously unreleased version
22. 1:42 1960-03-26 previously unreleased

Personnel