Album Highlight #16: Way Down In The Jungle Room - Elvis Presley

 

 

Way Down in The Jungle Room - Elvis Presley

Released August 5, 2016

Format: Compact Disc

Track Listing:

Disc 1:

1. Way Down
2. She Still Thinks I Care
3. Bitter They Are, The Harder They Fall
4. Pledging My Love
5. For The Heart
6. Love Coming Down
7. He'll Have To Go
8. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
9. Hurt
10. Never Again
11. Danny Boy
12. Solitaire
13. Moody Blue
14. It's Easy For You
15. I'll Never Fall In Love Again
16. The Last Farewell
    

 

 

Disc 2:

1. Bitter They Are The Harder They Fall (Take 1)
2. She Still Thinks I Still Care (Take 10)
3. The Last Farewell (Take 2)
4. Solitaire (Take 7)
5. I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Take 5)
6. Moody Blue (Take 1)
7. For The Heart (Take 1)
8. Hurt (Take 3)
9. Danny Boy (Take9)
10. Never Again (Take 9)
11. Love Coming Down (Take 3)
12. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (Take 4)
13. She Thinks I Still Care (Alternate Version Take 2)
14. It's Easy For You (Take 1)
15. Way Down (Take 2)
16. Pledging My Love (Take 3)
17. For The Heart (Take 4)

Executive Producer: Elvis Presley

Associate Producer: Felton Jarvis

Compilation Producers: Mikael Jorgensen & Robe Santos 

Engineers: Brian Christian (February 1976), Mike Moran (October 1976)

Musicians:

• Ronnie Tutt - drums
• James Burton - guitar
• Glenn D. Hardin - piano
• David Briggs - piano, clarinet
• Jerry Scheff - Bass
• The Stamps* - backing vocals

Alternate Musicians:

• Norbert Putnam -bass
• Billy Sanford - guitar
• Bobby Emmons - keyboards

*The Stamps are: Bill Baize, Ed Enoch, Ed Hill, Larry Strickland

 

 

I came across this Elvis compilation at my local library(you never know where you'll find music) and had to have it. The compilation is of recordings from Elvis's last two albums, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee(5/76) and Moody Blue (6/77), before passing away. A part of allure of this recordings are that they are recorded in the den of the King's world famous home Graceland. At this stage Presley much preferred to be at home rather than trekking to a studio. RCA brought to studio to him. The first disc is the finished studio work that finally went on the two albums. The second is the studios outtakes. 

 

 

Even at this stage of his life Elvis still had his voice in all it's deep baritone richness. The songs are well produced and are a mixture of country/pop/rock of the time. Many are covers passed through filter of unmistakable Elvis. The outtakes are incredible and even a bit humorous with Elvis's comments at times which are pure gold like phones ringing and dogs barking(in the background). On the song Hurt  he reached his voice a bit too far at the beginning of the song and exclaimed that "That hurt!" with irony and humor as he and the other musicians chuckle in the background. Other times he gives some direction to musicians. Even these takes sound amazing and sharp music wise.