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Posted by: Steve May 20 2006, 10:09 AM

Long Black Limousine Studio Sessions for RCA, January 13-14, 1969

First LP release:

FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS



for more info on this LP:
http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?showtopic=1125

Lyrics:

Long Black Limousine

(V. Stovall - B. George)

There's a long line of mourners
Driving down our little street
Their fancy cars are
such a sight to see, oh yea
They're all rich friends
who knew you in the scene
And now they've finally brought you
Brought you home to me

When you left you know you told me
That some day you'd be returnin'
In a fancy car,
all the town to see, oh yea,
Well now everyone is watching you
You finally had your dream, yea
You're ridin' in a long black limousine

You know the papers told of
how you lost your life, oh yea
The party, the party and the fatal crash that night
Well the race along the highway,
oh the curve you didn't see
When you're riding in that long black limousine

Through tear filled eyes
I watch as you pass by oh yea
A chauffeur, a chauffeur
at the wheel dressed up so fine
Well I never, I never, never, never
Oh my heart, all my dreams yea,
they're with you In that long black limousine

Yea, yea, they're with you
in that long black limousine

Yea, yea, they're with you
in that long black limousine

Takes:

XPA5 1142 January 13 (Mon.): 19:00 - 22:00

Take 01 FS 1:02 Preceeded by rehearsal

Take 02 LFS 2:38

Take 03 FS 0:34

Take 04 FS 0:43 Actually announced as "take number 4"

Take 05 FS 0:50 "We're rolling, number 5"

Take 06 PB 4:30

Take 07 FS 0:29

Take 08 FS 0:24

Take 09 (M)

Further overdubs:

Long Black Limousine (vocal repair)
XPA5 1142
January 22 (Wed.): 01:00 - 04:00

V.O. (M) Vocal repair of part on January 21-22

Overdubs (M) Brass & piano('bell') overdubs on January 23

Overdubs (M) 3:44 Backup vocal overdubs on January 24

Overdubs M 3:43 Strings overdubbed on March 18

Musicians:

Guitar :
Reggie Young

Guitar :
Elvis Presley

Bass :
Tommy Cogbill

Bass :
Mike Leech

Drums :
Gene Chrisman

Piano :
Bobby Wood

Organ :
Bobby Emmons

Studio :
American Sound, Memphis, Tennessee

Producer :
Chips Moman, Felton Jarvis

Engineer :
Al Pachucki

Posted by: BJBAmerica May 20 2006, 02:33 PM

A real stand out track from the 69 Memphis Sessions for me. Elvis sings with real conviction on this one.....This is amongst the most mature work Elvis would record, IMO, as were the other songs recorded during these sessions.

As always, a great and informative post, Steve....Thanks! [img]style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif[/img]

Posted by: The Batman May 20 2006, 02:35 PM

Definatly one a favourite song of mine it is one I sKip whenever I play a CD with it on

Posted by: JohanD May 20 2006, 03:58 PM

One of Elvis' most perfect haunting songs.
It's in a way,his own story....
Only the Black cadillac is changed later in a white one...

Posted by: Bama May 20 2006, 05:46 PM

[img]style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif[/img] He did an awesome interpretation of the song. [img]style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif[/img] One of my favs. Lately 69 the yar has become my favorite. lol [img]style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif[/img]

Posted by: NightRider May 20 2006, 10:35 PM

A Totally OUSTANDING track...one of the very best IMO. Great info as usual Steve [img]style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif[/img]

Posted by: songs4u May 20 2006, 11:11 PM

I have this record and the cd. I really liked that track and all the others on that album. He was supposed to have had a cold at the time or just getting over one when he recorded this didn't he? I heard somewhere that's why his voice seemed to be sort of gravelly at times. I don't know if that's what it was but I thought his voice was great in that session.

Posted by: colonel snow May 21 2006, 05:33 PM

the song is original recorded in july 1958 by Wynn Stewart but this version stayed unreleased at the time; composer Vernon Stovall recorded a version in 1961 (Crest 1080) ; Glenn Campbell recorded the song twice>> on 15-06-62 for a LP version and again on 12-09-62 for single on Capitol 4856.

colonel snow

Posted by: Pacer Jun 3 2006, 12:06 AM

This song is an absolute STORMER!!!! Elvis is in fine voice and full of conviction he truely believes in what he is singing and lets fly with a full on in your'e face rendition that leaves you totally gobsmacked!!!!
The King at his very best.

Posted by: BJBAmerica Jun 3 2006, 12:17 AM

QUOTE (Pacer @ Jun 3 2006, 01:06 AM)

Posted by: Pacer Jun 3 2006, 11:02 PM

[img]style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif[/img] Cheers Bazza!!! [img]style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif[/img]

Posted by: Ian Jun 5 2006, 07:21 PM

This is a great track from Elvis' finest recording sesssions - Memphis 1969. This was the sort of song Elvis really believed in, and you can tell by the conviction with which he sings it. Elvis vocal was passionate, and powerful in equal measure, giving a standout performance. This was the first song of these legendary sessions, and it set the standard for things to come - many more classic tracks and what many believe to be the album of his career! [img]style_emoticons/default/00000407.gif[/img]

Posted by: Tigerman Jun 5 2006, 09:56 PM

This is one of my all time favorite Elvis songs, wich most of the songs recored in 1969 is. Grate song that tells a story, and Elvis takes an allready perfect song even higher.

Posted by: Brad Jun 6 2006, 08:28 AM

This is a Fantastic song [img]style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif[/img]

to me it is one of the best songs Elvis covered [img]style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif[/img]

Thanks for the great information on the song Steve, fantastic as always [img]style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif[/img]

Posted by: Memphis-Man Mar 11 2007, 04:01 AM

GREAT work, Steve. Thanks very much. This has been one of my all time favorite Elvis albums and songs.

M-M

Posted by: skelvis Mar 26 2007, 04:28 PM

For me it`s the most soulful song elvis ever sung. And for this time i like the overdubbs (horns, backing vocals).
Sven

Posted by: missclawdy68 Jun 1 2007, 12:24 PM

One of my all time favorite songs of Elvis....truly such a passionate song, I remember crying when I heard this "Gem" for the first time.....He sang it so beautifully and you really do believe what he is saying, he truly sings from the heart and that's what makes a true artist....believing in what your singing....I just get chills everytime I hear this song...I always listen to it before I end my day...It soothes me and haunts me for some reason lol.....And Great great info Steve! It's very Informative!

Posted by: Monique Jul 16 2009, 01:48 PM

A great song...and great info Steve. Thank you!

Posted by: colonel snow Jul 16 2009, 07:27 PM

meanwhile we know more facts about the recording of the song:

recorded 13-01-69:
take 1 till 8 + count-in for take 9 are available on CD American way vol. 3 (mono);
take 9 is possibly errased.

take 6 in stereo available on CD Memphis sessions;

recorded 21-01-69:
vocal repair master take 9 (unreleased in this form)

overdub 22-01-69
extra instruments and female backing vocals; this version is on the draft mix tape and unreleased on CD; this version is circulating on tape or CDR in collector's circles.

overdub 18-03-69 afternoon
strings; this version is the completed master and released; remixed on CD The Memphis record (1987) and remixed again on the releases afterwards.

colonel snow

Posted by: cece Aug 7 2009, 05:52 AM

QUOTE (songs4u @ May 20 2006, 11:11 PM)

Posted by: Crawfish Jul 17 2010, 10:44 PM

A very soul sounding Elvis, a very good track indeed.

Posted by: matteo Jul 20 2010, 10:09 AM

Completely agree!

Posted by: dino78 Oct 11 2010, 01:12 PM

One of my all-time favourites!!!
Can't get enough of listening to it

Posted by: rickeap Mar 21 2011, 06:03 AM

Thanks for these posts Steve, remind me how good Elvis was