On August 10, 2018 Sony used the classic RCA
label to release "Where No One Stands Alone".
The album was available on compact disc, vinyl
(besides the usual black discs, there were also
limited editions in blue and pink) and music
cassette. Of course it was also available for
download and stream. On Billboard's "Top Album
Chart" the longplayer peaked at number 22, on
the "Physical Album Chart", the "Christian Album
Chart" and the "Vinyl Album Chart" it reached
the number one spot. In Great Britain "Where No
One Stands Alone" peaked at number 9, in The
Netherlands and Australia it reached number 15.
In Belgium and Germany the album at least
entered the Top40. The album wasn't as
successful as "The Wonder Of You" (2016), but
considering that Elvis was gone for 41 years at
the time and that the newness of remakes had
worn off after three remake-albums in a row,
"Where No One Stands Alone" did very well.
Today the album is available on the streaming
palatforms in Hi-Res. It's less popular than the
RPO albums since it accumulates just a tad over
21 million streams on Spotify.
After "If I Can Dream" (2015), "The Wonder Of
You" (2016) and "Christmas" (2017) this was the
4th remake album in a row. But this time the
approach was to create a more edgy and modern
album. Therefore Lisa Marie took over from
Priscilla and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
was not used. But of course the procedure was
the same. Elvis' vocals were separated from the
original recordings and added to newly recorded
music tracks. The instrumentalists on this album
are Dennis Wage (piano and organ), Jason Webb
(keyboard), Andy Childs (keyboard), Tom Hemby
(guitar), Pat Cuchanan (guitar), Steve Mandile
(guitar), James Lwry (guitar), Mike
Bringnardello (bass), Jimmie Lee Sloas (bass),
Ionnie Wilson (drums), Greg Morrow (drums), Jim
Horn (saxophone), Scott Ducaj (trumpet) and Roy
Agee (trombone). The harmony voices belong to
Andy Childs, Shawnel Corley, Gus Gaches, Terry
Franklin, Gale Mayes, Angela Primm, Robb Tripp
and The Christ Church Choir. To fabricate some
authenticity, the producers hired a few people,
who actually had performed with Elvis. And so
Terry Blackwood, Armond Morales and Jim Murray
(former members of The Imperials), Donnie
Sumner, Bill Baize, Ed Hill and Larry Strickland
(former members of The Stamps), Cissy Houston
(former member of The Sweet Inspirations) and
Darlene Love (former member of The Blossoms)
added their aged voices.
The arrangements were created by Gus Gaches
(vocalists), Steve Mauldin (The Christ
Church Choir) and Jim Horn (brass). In contrast
to Elvis, who preferred to record live with the
band, the producers of "Where No One Stands
Alone" captured the voices and instruments at
different places.In Nashville they used The
Ocean Way Recording Studios, Cool Tools Audio,
Curb Studio B, The Tracking Room and Next Level
Productions. In Los Angeles the sessions took
place at The Village and EastWest. Other parts
were recorded at The Power Station At Berklee in
New York City. All tracks were mastered by Tony
Castle, Andrew Mendelson and Ed Seay at
Georgetown Masters and Pro Tools Audio in
Nashville. Ed Seay was also responsible for the
audio mix. The project was coordinated by
Shannon Finnegan.
I've Got Confidence
The first track offers a new intro, various
breaks and brass sounds. The harmony vocals were
also rearranged and cater to every cliche' of
gospel music. The new incarnation of "I've Got
Confidence" completely lacks the "garage rock"
feeling of Elvis' original recording and sounds
much cleaner. However, that doesn't mean, that I
dont like the new version. It's quite different
to what we were used to and interesting to hear.
Where No One Stands Alone
(duet with Lisa Marie Presley)
The intro sounds very tame, but then the
performance gains momentum. Lisa Marie
harmonizes well with her father, her dark voice
sounds good and adds something special.
Saved
Back in 1968 "Saved" was part of a gospel
medley, which the king had recorded for his
television special "SINGER presents Elvis".
Because it wasn't a complete performance, the
producers of this album had to do a lot of
doctoring. The king's vocals were completely
re-arranged, even an Elvis Ending (it's really
called that way) was created. The new
arrangement sounds powerful and features an
organ solo. I like this track very much.
Crying In The Chapel
While "Saved" is interesting to hear, "Crying In
The Chapel" sounds quite uneventful. It also
lacks the charm of Elvis' original performance
and to me it sounds somewhat "cheap", too.
So High
The new incarnation was enhanced with several
breaks and solos. It's a snappy arrangement and
a nice alternative to the original.
Stand By Me
The beautiful ballad now includes a piano intro.
I also like the tasteful, solemn arrangement.
Bosom Of Abraham
"Bosom Of Abraham" now includes a rhythmical
intro and a nice, drums-driven bridge. Elvis'
vocals were cleverly re-edited.
How Great Thou Art
Compared to the original recording, they choir
is arranged differently and sounds much more
voluminous. The track certainly offers a great
gospel-feeling and sounds very good.
I, John
The new incarnation of "I, John" features more
instruments and also offers a driving beat. The
choir uses more gospel elements than the
original singers did back in 1971. I like this
one very much.
You'll Never Walk Alone
While Elvis' original recording is full of
emotion, the new version takes away a lot of the
feeling. The music track is too smooth, too
perfect. Everything is executed extremely well,
but the result lacks soul.
He Touched Me
The first part of the song is much tamer and
more subtle than Elvis' original performance.
The finale is very powerful and everyone is
running at full throttle. It's a very good
track, certainly one of the highlights of this
album.
In The Garden
Here the new arrangement differs just slightly
from the original one. It may sound a tad more
modern.
He Is My Everything
Back in 1971 Elvis didn't put much effort in his
sacred re-recording of "There Goes My
Everything" and delivered a sloppy performance.
The producers of this album re-arranged the
harmony voices and used more singers to cover
the king's shortcomings. It works very well, so
I dare to say that I like this new edition
better than Elvis' original recording.
Amazing Grace
For the finale the producers tried to come up
with something innovative by changing the pitch.
As a result the whole thing sounds somewhat
weird, Elvis seems to miss a lot of notes. In
the spring of 1971 his voice wasn't in the best
condition, but it certainly didn't sound as bad
as it does here. The album "The Wonder Of You"
includes a previous remake of "Amazing Grace",
which sounds much better than this one.
Verdict
Compared to the remake albums with The
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra the
arrangements are more edgy, but everything
still sounds quite conservative.
Nevertheless a lot of the tracks differ from
the original recordings and are interesting
to hear.
(C) Sony Music
Entertainment