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Elvis-TheKingsCourt _ A Song In The Spotlight _ 1969 - SUSPICIOUS MINDS

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 04:09 PM

The 41st Anniversary of SUSPICIOUS MINDS

Is with us NOW !

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10338

Recorded in the Early Morning hours of the 23rd January 1969 (during the 4am to 7 am Sesson)
At AMERICAN SOUND STUDIOS - Memphis.

"Suspicious Minds" is a song about being trapped in a mistrusting and dysfunctional relationship.

Originally, and most notably, a Big Hit for Elvis in 1969.

"Suspicious Minds" was widely regarded as the Single that jump-started his career after his successful '68 Comeback Special.

It was his eighteenth and last number-one single in the United States.

Rolling Stone later ranked it #91 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 04:26 PM

The SONG.....

Written by Mark James (aka Francis Zambon) in 1968, who was also co-writer of "Always On My Mind", which Elvis would later record,

The song first was recorded and released by James.

Even though James' recording initially was not commercially successful Elvis decided he could turn it into a hit on reviewing the song as presented to him by Memphis Soul producer Chips Moman, owner of American Sound Studio, in 1969.

Elvis recorded "Suspicious Minds" along with the two hit singles—"In the Ghetto" and "Don't Cry Daddy"—during The Memphis sessions" of January 1969 at American Sound Studio.

The 45 rpm single was released in the fall. (Shipped out to Retailers 26th August 1969)

It reached Number One in the United States in the week of November 1 and stayed there for that week.

Very soon selling over 1,250,000 copies in the USA

In Great Britain by Late November it reached Number # 2 (18 weeks on the Chart)

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 04:43 PM

Notable in this song is a fadeout at about 3 min 52 secs, into the song, which lasts for about 15 seconds before fading back in.

After the overdubs ~ The master has an Extra Ending added...

This fadeout was intentional, as it helped convey a message of relationship in the song... and later as Elvis Started to Perform it in Vegas in August 1969 it REPLICATES the way Elvis has come to Sing it onstage... the first ending fades out~down... then slowly comes back up for the listeners...

This has caught out many Radio DJs over the years.

Elvis fans at the time thought if was a really cool Idea... Chip Moman the producer hated it.(...the fade out part that it....)

In Vegas... the song that the audience is really Buzzing about is SUSPICIOUS MINDS.

- Elvis has developed Special Karate Stance movements and Leg Stretch's in the fade down part of the Number, and a very Energetic series of movements during the complete song.

He first performed the song at the Las Vegas International Hotel in the Season starting on July 31, 1969

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10339

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 05:02 PM

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10312

This picture is taken on the 22nd January, the final day of the January American Sound Studios Session.

Elvis' part though didn't start until 12.30am on the 23rd January
(with WITHOUT LOVE & I'LL HOLD YOU IN MY HEART 12.30 TO 3.30AM)

After a 30 minute Break.. (probably for refreshments and listen to playback and demos)

Elvis re-Started this session with I'LL BE THERE at 4am.... followed by....
SUSPICIOUS MINDS (Finishing about 7am.)

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=9998

(Left to right~Bobby Wood, Mike Leech, tommy Cogbill, gene Chrisman, Bobby ~Emmons, Reggie Young, Ed Lollis, and songwriter Dan Penn)
(Photo © Knox Phillips)

Elvis' "EIGHT" ~ Backing Band Musicians

(Reggie Young (Guitar) ~ Tommy Coghill (Bass) ~ Mike Leech (Bass) ~ Gene Chrisman (Drums) ~ Bobby Wood (Piano) ~ Bobby Emmons (Organ) ~
John Hughey (Steel Guitar) ~ Ed Killis (Harmonica) ~ ELVIS (Guitar & Piano)

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 05:46 PM

The sessions were coming to an end.

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10340

This was to be Elvis's last night, though Chips still had plenty of overdubbing work to do with the Memphis Horns and the girl singers.

Just after midnight Chips urged Elvis to try his hand at "Suspicious Minds," a song that had gone nowhere when Chips had recorded it by its young writer, Mark James.

Marty Lacker, George Klein, and Elvis's foreman Joe Esposito all recognized the song as a potential smash and encouraged Elvis to give it a shot.

Working from the original arrangement, the band faltered after the first take, but Chips steered them toward the right groove; at the same time Elvis worked at getting the lyrics down, even asking Bobby Wood to sing along to help prevent Elvis from repeating mistakes.

It felt good from the first take, and Elvis was relaxed enough to practice karate exercises between takes.

"Save the last take for me," he sang jokingly as they neared the finish line; by the time they left that evening, they knew they'd saved one of the best for last.

The only cloud on the horizon was Chips Moman's refusal to give up any piece of "Suspicious Minds" or "Mama Liked The Roses."

Freddy Bienstock, Tom Diskin, and Chips Moman were all headstrong men, and it took RCA representative Harry Jenkins, always the diplomat, to prevent publishing disputes from derailing Elvis's most significant new work in years.

In a rare gesture of interference in the business side of his own career, Elvis declared that he wouldn't let a publishing dispute stop him from recording and releasing a song he liked.

His enthusiasm carried into a rare, early-morning interview, when Elvis, clad in white shirt and trousers, raved to a reporter from the Memphis Commercial Appeal: "It all started right here in Memphis for me, man."

With a gracious Chips Moman by his side, he celebrated his new surroundings. "It feels so good working in this studio," he said, and Chips returned the compliment:

"He is one of the hardest-working artists I have ever been associated with.... What energy and enthusiasm he has while working."

"We've done some hits, haven't we, Chips?" Elvis asked.

"Maybe some of your biggest," was the modest response.

(sourced from Ernest's DAY BY DAY with thanks)

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:04 PM

CHIPS MOMAN "Remembers"

Hill and Range wanted the publishing rights to "In the Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds" I just blew up! I said, "Hey, there ain't no more session!"

We had already done some sides, and I said, "You can take everything we've done so far, be my guest, and just get out of my studio, 'cause there ain't no sessions!"

Thats when Harry Jenkins ~ he was with RCA at the time - stood up for me. Harry said, "Hey, speaking for RCA, we haven't even said anything about what Elvis has been recording since he's been with us, but I'm gonna tell you right now, this boy's right (talking about me), "so we're gonna stay here and we're gonna do these sessions his way."

CHIPS MOMAN "on SUSPICIOUS MINDS"

"Suspicious Minds" was a song that Mark James had written. I had recorded it with Mark, but nothing was happening with his record 'cause I don't think Mark had really got the vocals on it the way Elvis did later.

I played it for Elvis and he loved it. We did the arrangements about the same as on Mark's record - but we had that Elvis voice!

Elvis was a great singer, man. He could sell a song! And the rest is history.

It was one of the biggest records Elvis had had in years, a great song for him.

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:09 PM

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

"Lyrics" by Mark James

We're caught in a trap
I can't walk out
Because I love you too much baby

Why can't you see
What you're doing to me
When you don't believe a word I say?

We can't go on together
With suspicious minds
And we can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds

So, if an old friend I know
Drops by to say hello
Would I still see suspicion in your eyes?

Here we go again
Asking where I've been
You can't see these tears are real
I'm crying

We can't go on together
With suspicious minds
And be can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds

Oh let our love survive
Or dry the tears from your eyes
Let's don't let a good thing die

When honey, you know
I've never lied to you
Mmm yeah, yeah

Posted by: elvislady Jan 23 2010, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the great info rex...here is a link to what chips said about elvis in aug 2009.

http://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/aug/14/chips-moman-gives-a-little-more/

elvislady

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:16 PM

QUOTE

ELVISLADY: 23rd January 2010: ~Thanks for the great info rex...here is a link to what chips said about elvis in aug 2009. elvislady
http://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/aug/14/...-a-little-more/
MANY THANK "ELVISLADY" very nice link... wonderful ! ! !

SUSPICIOUS MINDS ~ (Feb?) 1972 !

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10341

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:28 PM

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

August 1970 - Las Vegas (TTWII)

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10344

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10343

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:29 PM

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

August 1970 - Las Vegas (TTWII)

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10342

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=8436

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:35 PM

SUSPICIOUS MINDS
12th January 1973 (Rehearsal Show)

HIC Arena ~ HAWAII

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=3718
(1st. Picture Screen Capture ~ with thanks to 'Charlierodgers' DONNA)

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10345

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:41 PM

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

12th January 1973 (Rehearsal Show)

HIC Arena ~ HAWAII

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10351

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10350

(All other Elvis ~"Screen Captures" ~ by REX)

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:42 PM

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

12th January 1973 (Rehearsal Show)

HIC Arena ~ HAWAII

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10349

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10348

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:46 PM

SUSPICIOUS MINDS "Ending!"

12th January 1973 (Rehearsal Show)

HIC Arena ~ HAWAII

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10347

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10346

Posted by: REX Jan 23 2010, 06:50 PM

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

14th January 1973 Broadcast Show

HIC Arena ~ HAWAII

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10353

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10352

Posted by: charlierogers Jan 23 2010, 08:15 PM

Thanks REX

excellent presentation as always

Posted by: REX Jan 24 2010, 02:07 PM

QUOTE (charlierogers @ Jan 23 2010, 08:15 PM)

Thanks REX - excellent presentation as always

"Caught in a Presentation, I can't get out" thankyou Donna.

12th January 1973: HAWAII Rehearsal Show Video

Posted by: JohanD Jan 24 2010, 03:19 PM

Great info about a truly fantastic song!!
Maybe even one of his absolute best!!
I know it was my first single...many moons ago,it never left me....

Posted by: elvislady Jan 24 2010, 03:24 PM

Thanks rex...some stunning pics and a great video!
elvislady

Posted by: NightRider Jan 24 2010, 04:30 PM

Great thread again Rex !

Suspicious Minds was one of the very first Elvis songs that i heard. It remains to this day a firm favourite. I do think that the undubbed version is even better ! I just love to listen to Elvis' voice...he was in amazing form. I always wished that it contained another verse. The end of the song can be repetitive...and it would have improved it even more. Wonderful song all the same......as Johan has said....right up there with his ultimate best !

Posted by: Tigerman Jan 25 2010, 09:20 AM

this quickly became one of my favourite Elvis tunes, I remeber as a kid when I first saw "TTWII" and I where in awe of the performance Elvis did of the song. The song was perfect for Elvis.

Posted by: J Jan 25 2010, 05:48 PM

It's a cool tune... not a favourite of mine, but definitely cool... I personally much prefer the '69-'70 live versions to the studio take. It was indeed a perfect cut for Elvis, live... just like with Polk Salad Annie, he could really let loose during it. ..... If my memory serves me, the original trailer for TTWII ends with a "Suspicious Minds" ending, which is one of the coolest things ever... I think it's from the August 12th midnight show... maybe you Rex can take a few HQ captures of it...

Posted by: fre211 Jan 25 2010, 07:06 PM

A great song that was stopped from getting to number one here in the uk by "TWO LITTLE BOYS" from Rolf harris of all people!!!!

Posted by: hexia Jan 25 2010, 07:30 PM

Cool thread once again, Rex. Very interesting and informative as always.

Posted by: REX Jan 27 2010, 05:19 PM

QUOTE (J @ Jan 25 2010, 05:48 PM)

Thanks Everyone... yes the Chain Suit "Jouni" 12th August 70 M.S. (as captured below....)

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10487

http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/index.php?autocom=gallery&req=si&img=10488

SUSPICIOUS MINDS.. first Karate stage floor "down" !

Posted by: The Batman Jan 27 2010, 05:40 PM

wow 41 years and its till an undated awesome song