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Elvis Presley - Stereo '57 (Essential Elvis Volume 2)


Label:

Analogue Productions

Genre:

Pop/Rock

Product No.:
AAPP 057-45
UPC: 753088005770
Availability:
In Stock
Category:

45 RPM Vinyl Record


No. of Discs: 2
Note: 180 Gram

45 RPM    
(Not Eligible for Additional Discount)

$60.00

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Also available on:
Hybrid Stereo SACD




Nearly lost to history, Elvis 2-track masters saved by chance

Now presented as a double LP cut at 45 RPM and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings!

Mastered at Sterling Sound

Deluxe gatefold jacket

The discovery of these 2-track masters comprising Stereo ‘57 - The Essential Elvis Volume 2, is nothing short of a miracle, and this 180-gram pressing cut at 45 RPM from Quality Record Pressings sounds so astonishing, your jaw will hit the floor!

From the moment Elvis began working with a new song, sound engineer Thorne Norgar had the 15 ips mono tape machine rolling simultaneously with a 2-track protection copy. The machines weren't switched to pause until Elvis was satisfied with the take.

A couple of years before the advent of the stereo LP in mid-1958, major record companies were experimenting with stereophonic recordings, often refered to then as binaural. Studios were using the new Ampex 2-track tape recorders for other purposes, such as for recording session back-ups. But few Elvis fans know how close history came to permanently losing these precious audio glimpses of a young Elvis engrossed in the creative process.

Founded in 1933, Radio Recorders of Los Angeles was the preeminent recording studio of its day, and its director of recording, long-time engineer Thorne Nogar, engineered all of the Elvis sessions from 1955 to 1961. Some of popular music's greatest hits: "Jailhouse Rock," "All Shook Up," "Loving You," and "Teddy Bear," are just a few of the blockbusters that Nogar oversaw Elvis record at the studios, located at 7000 Santa Monica Blvd.

Elvis would be right in the center of everything, at every recording session, Nogar would later recall. "Like with the Jordanaires when he sang, we would set it up with a unidirectional mike, so he would be standing right in front of them, facing them, and they would have their own directional microphone and they would be singing to one another."

The 2-tracks from which this record was pressed could not have sounded better, and there was no one more careful, more experienced and technically skilled to record these historic sessions than Nogar, says Acoustic Sounds' founder and CEO Chad Kassem.

Yet one day years later when Thorne was "cleaning out" his tapes closet, remarkably, he set these 2-track backup tapes aside, intending to dispose of them. Noted producer Bones Howe had worked for Nogar as a tape operator at Radio Recorders, and thanks to him the tapes were saved from a final resting place in the trash can. Bones took the tapes home with him. He'd put them safely away in a bank vault.

These 2-tracks have "erase" clearly written on the master log sheets. They're from January 1957 sessions at which Presley produced material for two EPs and the film "Loving You" soundtrack. They're the only known ones surviving from the pre-stereo era.

RCA's Essential Elvis series was a vehicle for the release of Presley's alternate takes. On this double LP set, listeners hear Presley at work, refining band arrangements and working through the nuances of his vocal performance. The LP reveals the Jordanaires voices' sparkling with a natural lifelike sound that's both sonically rich and detailed.

The Jordanaires, a vocal quartet originally formed as a gospel group in 1948, gained fame largely for being Elvis' background singers, both in live appearances and recordings, from 1956 to 1972. If discovering these rare, almost lost recorded treasures weren't enough, the sound reproduction puts this release over the top! When the Jordanaires sing "Peace in the Valley," you'll swear you're hearing a melody sent from heaven. An audiophile's prayer come true!

There are a number of first and second takes, during which Presley and his backing musicians make tentative passes at the material. As the record progresses, arrangements take shape and Presley, growing more confident that a keeper take is imminent, sings with more enthusiasm. Throughout, Presley is heard directing the proceedings and demonstrating a lot of "aw shucks" charm in the process, goofing with band members and laughing through his and others', flubs.

Like other reissues pressed by QRP, this magnificent 180-gram LP is notable for its absolutely silent background. The vocal harmonies are tingle-inducing, life-sized and utterly natural.

For serious Elvis fans and anyone else interested in the creative process, Volume 2 meets the first definition of "essential" as well as the second: it's indispensable stuff. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Side 1
I Beg Of You Take 1
Is It So Strange Take 1
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Take 2
It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) Takes 1,2,3

Side 2
Blueberry Hill Take 2
Mean Woman Blues Take 14
There’ll Be Peace In The Valley Takes 2,3
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Take 6

Side 3
Blueberry Hill Take 7
That’s When Your Heartaches Begin Takes 4,5,6
Is It So Strange Takes 7,11

Side 4
I Beg Of You Takes 6,8
There’ll Be Peace In The Valley Take 7
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Takes 12,13
I Beg Of You Take 12

Customer Reviews (4.33 Stars) 6 person(s) rated this product.

Love It!

posted on 03/15/2021
5 Stars
Reviewer: Evan
First, let me qualify this by stating I'm not an Elvis fan, so I understand why if you're looking for Elvis purely singing songs it could be disappointing. I found this recording so intimate, so emotionally involving, so toe-tappingly engaging that it demands full attention. It reminds me a bit of Will the Circle be Unbroken by The Nitty Gritty Dirtband where they just let the tape roll while great musicians played, singed, and talked. Highly recommended.


left channel?

posted on 04/10/2019
5 Stars
Reviewer: Brian Weaver
Is it just me or is the right channel stronger than the left, this having Elvis come out more in the background (his voice comes mostly out of the left channel, making his voice faint). Otherwise beautiful sounding LP.


never mind the "bungling"

posted on 05/03/2014
5 Stars
Reviewer: AJAY
one of the finest reissues of elvis in any format.it really does not matter that there are retakes.....after all all the retakes have something to offer,apart from fantastic sound and quality of the remaster...this is one album that anyone who claims to be an elvis fan MUST HAVE.


Sounds great but ...

posted on 07/31/2013
1 Stars
Reviewer: Jeff
I was really looking forward to this album after reading the other two reviews, but I'm really disappointed in this album and wish I'd bought something else from the normally wonderful Analogue Productions 45 RPM series. To be fair, the recording quality is great, and of course Analogue Productions did a masterful job on this LP set like they always do. But the music? If you want to listen to song after song of screwed up takes in the studio with wonderful sound quality this album is for you, but otherwise I don't recommend it. There's maybe two songs on this album that are musically worth listening to. There's a reason that most of the tracks on this album were never released, as they were bungled in the studio and weren't intended to be heard. If you want a behind the scenes collection of Elvis bloopers in the studio in ultra-high fidelity this album is for you, those hoping for an album of music should stay clear.


King of cool

posted on 05/11/2013
5 Stars
Reviewer: adrian naunton
Another fantastic bit of vinyl for elvis fans. This is a great collection of out takes in superb quality. Its hard to imagine it could sound any better than this. This release is just so much better than the rca version released many years ago. A quality release in every respect. Fingers crossed for more elvis on vinyl soon!


Hurry up and purchase this LP!!!

posted on 04/29/2013
5 Stars
Reviewer: Greg D.
What a treasure. Hearing Elvis working at Radio Recorders and so masterfully represented by this effort, you will think you are in the control room on the other side of the glass. Such a fun record.The Jordanaires sound amazing blending with Elvis.The vinyl is purely quiet and flawless. Well worth the price of admission.


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