Discs 1 and 2 feature the master takes. The second cd features the religious songs and the Xmas tunes. Strangely though Sony allocated "Amazing Grace" to the folk/country songs and therefore presents the hymn on disc number 1. To return to the introduction of this review, tap on the cover.

The hymn was recorded on May 18, 1971. In contrast to most other tracks of this era, Elvis did without overdubbing choires and orchestras. The harmony singers were left in place, so we get to hear a remix of what we know from the "He Touched Me" album. Everything sounds cleaner and brighter here, the piano was brought to the fore. For me the song sounds better than ever.

This one wasn't overdubbed, too. Matt put the focus on bass and guitar, which adds some drive to the performance. Back in 1972 the version on the "He Touched Me" album was shortened, but here we get the complete recording. At the end Elvis tries to be a bass singer.

Matt Ross-Spang did the same here and managed to inject more zest.

Here we have a spiritual re-make of the country ballad "There Goes My Everything", which Elvis had recorded the previous year. He recorded five takes, the master take is a splice of his 3rd and 5th attempt. In general his performance is quite sloppy, he sings much less accurate than in 1970. His voice also sounds comparatively weary. The master included overdubbed strings, which are missing here. The remix puts the focus on the piano, the drums and the guitar.

On the same day the king also recorded seven takes of "Bosom Of Abraham", of which the 6th one was approved for release. Because there were no overdubbs and the instrumentation is sparse, the remix doesn't sound all that different. However, the new mastering worked wonders. Elvis' version of "Bosom Of Abraham" never sounded better than here!

The same applies here. It's just Elvis, the harmony singers and a piano. So there wasn't much to remix. But once again the audio quality was improved.

Elvis and The Imperials recorded six takes of "Lead Me, Guide Me". The final one was released, once again without any overdubs. The remix brings the piano and the drums to the fore. For me this is the ultimate version. 

Matt Ross-Spang emphasized the rhythm, which makes the performance a bit more snappy.

Originally the 9th take was enhanced with horns and strings. Of course they are missing in the remix, which absolutely meets my taste.

Elvis needed just two takes to record "I, John" and seemed to be ok with the result. But when the release date of the "He Touched Me" album neared, he suddenly wanted more harmony voices. So Felton Jarvis recorded additional singers on February 8, 1972. But for his boss it still sounded too thin, so more voices were added on the 21st of the month. Here I agree with Mr. Presley. The original studio recording is good and the new mix really lets it shine. But the song sounds better with more singers.

There are no overdubs to leave out, so the remix really is a new mix of the well known recording. But once again it sounds better than what Mr. Jarvis did back in 1972.

This rockin' religious tune was recorded after "Reach Out To Jesus" within two takes. However, instead of being released on the "He Touched Me" album it became a part of "Elvis Now", the king's previous longplayer. The remix focuses on the drums and on the guitar, the harmony singers are taken a bit to the background. The result has more drive than the original mix.

This one was also issued on "Elvis Now". The 4th take was enhanced with a harmony vocal and a background choir. Of course strings were added, too. The result sounds quite tacky, there simply is too much of everything. The remix does without all these voices and violins and sounds much more tasteful.

Without the overdubbed choir, strings and horns the Xmas classic sounds completely different to the version we know from the album "Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas". Suddenly the bombast turns into an intimate performance, carried by a piano, an organ, drums and the voice of the king. I like the master very much, but this simpler remix is just as good.

In the studio Elvis performed "The First Noel" with very few musicians. This remix doesn't feature the overdubbed harmony voices. Once again the rendition becomes more intimate.

This lovely ballad also improves due to leaving out the strings and choirs.

Elvis didn't like "Winter Wonderland" and did little to hide his feelings. The remix puts the focus on the drums and the guitar, which improves the track.

The original recording was enhanced with strings and horns. Once again less is more, the ballad sounds better without all the "Vegas stuff".

The overdubbed voices and strings somewhat hid the bluesy note of "It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)". Because the basic track sounds a bit empty without the orchestra, Matt Ross-Spang brought the organ to the fore. It sounds good and works well. However, I don't like the glockenspiel at all. But I guess Elvis thought, it provided some "Xmas feeling".

Here we have another song with a touch of blues. I like this stripped down version very much, but I would like it even better, if Matt had added the drums, which had been recorded later.

Without the harmony voices, the strings and horns the songs sounds less flamboyant...and better.

The same applies here.  The original release was pasted up with harmony vocals and strings. Beneath all that sugar coating lies a beautiful, sentimental ballad.

Here we get the unedited jam. Mr. Ross-Spang emphasized the drums, the bass and the guitar. The performance is one of Elvis' finest blues renditions ever and the new mix really lets it shine. A true gem!

Without the orchestra, the choir and the glockenspiel the Xmas kitsch suddenly turns into a lovely, ironic ballad.

The disc closes with Elvis re-recording of "I'll Be Home On Christmas Day". The song was played faster and drums were included. That's why I like the second version better. The king himself thought differently and had the first one released.