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Disc number three features the second day of the 1963 May sessions (May 27th) as well as Elvis' short visit on January 12, 1964.

Memphis Tennessee (takes 1-2)

After the drummer failed on the intro, a complete performance is archived. The guitar solo is a tad on the rocky side, but otherwise there's not much to complain. Take 2 begins with another false start, this time Elvis tells the drummer to "hold it" during the intro. The second try works very well, it seems the guitar solo was the king's only problem related to take 1.

(It's A) Long Lonely Highway (takes 1-2)

The group discusses the length of the intro and segues into a releasable take 1. Obviously Elvis doesn't trust the fast success and tries once more. Afterwards he realizes, that he cannot improve his performance and selects his second try as master. However, RCA also released the first take on the flipside of "I'm Yours" in connection with the movie "Tickle Me" (1965).

Ask Me (takes 1-2)

Obviously there was a rehearsal before the actual recording, because Elvis says "That was a little too slow". The official take 1 falters after a few bars, but the second try (still regarded to be the first take) turns into a complete performance. In general it works well, but the lead vocalist sounds strained at times and at one point his voice cracks. The second take is tried at a lower pitch, but now the guitarist fails to play the intro. Afterwards the organ player doesn't start on time, which causes Elvis to say "Something was missing". But then everything works out as planned and another master is in the can.

Western Union (takes 1-4)

The Jordanaires rehearse the intro, but Ray Walker doesn't get the bass-part right. The second try works well, but then the drummer misses the beat and the performance falters. Once again Mr. Walker rehearses the bass part. Take number three starts with a messed up intro, but it's followed by a complete rendition. Before the recording is continued, the arrangement was changed. Now the song includes a bridge, which features The Jordanaires. Take 3 is another complete performance, the final glitches are ironed out with take number 4.

Slowly But Surely (takes 1-5)

The first try is a complete performance, but it sounds a bit wooden. Take 2 is just the intro. Elvis stops it, because the tempo is too slow. The 3rd try falters after a minute or so, the next attempt fails because the king stumbles upon the lyrics. Ironically he asks "What am I saying?". Take number 5 isn't just a complete performance, but also the master.

Blue River (takes 1-2)

Take number 1 is just a failed intro, the second try already is considered to be a releasable performance.

Ask Me (takes 3-6)

Maybe because the agenda is met much faster than expected, Elvis and his team try to improve the performance of "Ask Me". The producer simply continues the numbering and regards the first attempt of the re-recording to be take number 3. The arrangement was changed a bit. During his first try Elvis messes up the lyrics and says "This song makes me a nervous wreck". Nevertheless the next try sounds very good. Take five includes quite a few shaky vocals as well as several timing issues. That's why it is stopped in mid-performance. The 6th attempt begins with two false starts, but then the group segues into a complete rendition, which Elvis choses for release. With everything said and done the session is ended.

Memphis Tennessee (take 1-6)

Elvis revisited RCA's Studio B in Nashville on January 12, 1964 to re-record "Memphis Tennessee" and "Ask Me". Besides that, he wanted to tape a ballad called "It Hurts Me". The Chuck Berry tune was re-arranged and sounds a bit more breezy. The first try sounds very good, during the fade-out Elvis can be heared saying "That's all of 'em". During the second take he stumbles upon the word "touch", but continues to sing. But when the guitarist delivers a more than clumsy solo, the king has to laugh and the procedure is stopped. Due to a mistake the producer leaves out take 4, so the next one is considered to be take number 5. Just as the following one (surprisingly labeled as "take 6") it's a complete performance. Finally Elvis is happy with his effort and selects the final one for release.

Ask Me (takes 1-11)

Take 1 is nothing but a short false start, but the second and third attempts are complete performances. Take 4 is cancelled by the engineer, because Elvis produced a p-pop when he sang "possess". The next try is ended by the king himself, because the tempo is too slow. Take number 6 is another false start, but the 7th one is a complete performance. The next attempt is killed off by the producer, take 9 is a complete rendition. Even though it's a very good one, Elvis tries to improve his performance and continues the session. After a false start (regarded to be take 10) the group manages to tape another complete rendition, which the king finally accepts as the master.

It Hurts Me (takes 1-5)

The first take of "It Hurts Me" is a complete performance, but at times a quite rocky one. The following two takes are false starts, the 4th attempt is killed off after Elvis stumbled upon the timing. Take number 5 isn't just a complete performance, but also a very good one. With the final song in the can, Elvis leaves the studio and ends an era. Of course he didn't know it back then, but he wouldn't record anything but movie tunes until 1966.

 

 (C) Follow That Dream Records / Sony Music Entertainment