Review by Troy Yeary - Pastimescapes.com
When I heard FTD was re-releasing Elvis: That's The Way It Is on 2xCDs as part of its Classic Album series, at first I wasn't too excited, believe it or not. Why? Well, I bought the original That's The Way It Is on CD back in 1993 and was thrilled with it. In 1995, I bought the 5xCD set Walk A Mile In My Shoes, which included all of the songs from That's The Way It Is (except the live versions of 'Patch It Up' and 'I've Lost You', for which the studio versions were included).
In 1996, I bought A Hundred Years From Now: Essential Elvis Volume 4, which included outtakes from the June 1970 sessions that produced That's The Way It Is.
In 2000, I bought That's The Way It Is again when RCA/BMG released a three-disc “Special Edition” version to stores to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the album and documentary.
In 2002, I bought even more outtakes from the June 1970 sessions, on FTD's excellent The Nashville Marathon CD. Plus, I have bought three or four other That's The Way It Is related CDs, with rehearsals and live performances.
When it comes to That's The Way It Is, you could say I'm pretty well covered. Did I mention it's my favorite album? Much like Agent K in Men In Black ('This is gonna replace CDs soon; guess I'll have to buy the White Album again'), I have learned to accept my fate. I will be buying Elvis: That's The Way It Is at least once a decade for the rest of my life. Hey, that's not such a bad deal!
Anyway, I wasn't too interested in this FTD release, which compiles the original album with the relevant alternate takes from A Hundred Years From Now and The Nashville Marathon, as well as few other alternates and tracks. However, was it worth it?
Elvis: That's The Way It Is - The review
So, I already have the 3-disc That's The Way It Is: Special Edition from 2000, what do I need with this new two-disc version?
Though it included the original album, the focus of the 2000 version was really on the rehearsals and live performances, as captured for the film. The focus of this new two-disc version is on the June 1970 studio work for the album and its singles, so the releases are actually quite different. However, there is a lot of overlap with A Hundred Years From Now and The Nashville Marathon.
For the real verdict, let's go through it song-by-song.
'I Just Can't Help Believin'
Disc 1, Track 1, Live Master - August 11 1970 dinner show:
This original album version sounds good, but, surprisingly, the quality is slightly lower than the 2000 That's The Way It Is: Special Edition set. When listening with headphones, there is noticeable hiss on the quiet portions of the later track that is not present in the 2000 track. As I noted above, the song does not serve well as an album opener. No other versions are included on this release. Elvis never formally recorded this song in the studio, but there are rehearsals and other live versions available. FTD was wise to focus on the Nashville session work here rather than taking up space with additional versions of 'I Just Can't Help Believin'. The performance on the August 11 1970 midnight show, on RCA/BMG's Live In Las Vegas box-set, is the best live version of this song released so far - much less sleepy than this album master track.
'Twenty Days And Twenty Nights'
Disc 1, Track 2, Master - Take 9:
This is the original album version, one of my favourites. The sound quality here is also a notch lower than the 2000 set. The 2008 track again has a noticeable hiss in softer parts of the song, such as the beginning. For me, this song represents the adult Elvis, the recording artist Elvis that the mainstream so often overlooks in favour of songs like 'Hound Dog' or, even worse, lousy imitators with fake sideburns, bad jumpsuits, and horrid voices.
Disc 1, Track 15, Take 8:
This complete take is a previously unreleased track. While nice to add to the collection, it is mostly unremarkable. It is interesting to note, though, that Elvis nailed the master version on the very next take after this one.
Disc 2, Track 2, Rehearsal, Takes 1-3:
Blink and you'll miss the unreleased rehearsal (Elvis sings off-microphone) and instrumental Takes 1 and 2, which take about a minute total. Take 3, the bulk of this track, was previously released on The Nashville Marathon. Sound quality is slightly better here, though.
Disc 2, Track 16, Takes 5 and 6:
Elvis sings a brief snippet of one of his ‘50s classics (‘I Got A Woman’) before Take 5 here - a nice surprise. For some reason though, these two takes are not listed and are left out of the “In And Outtakes” section in the booklet. Both are incomplete takes which are previously unreleased until now.
Disc 2, Track 17, Master - Take 9 - Rough Mix:
This previously unreleased “rough mix” is notable mostly for being about twenty seconds longer than the released version. Some of the mixing is slightly different as well, though the released mix is better.
'How The Web Was Woven'
Disc 1, Track 3, Master - Take 3:
Another tough choice, but this is probably my favorite song of the original album. This is a great love song, which I rank right up there in the same league as the more well-known 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. Sound quality here is again a disappointment compared to the 2000 edition. There is more noticeable hiss at the beginning of this 2008 track than there is on the 2000 track. Otherwise, sound quality is about the same.
Disc 2, Track 7, Rehearsal, Take 1:
This rehearsal and take were previously released on The Nashville Marathon. The rehearsal is about a minute longer here, though, which is quite welcome. Take 1 is as good as, possibly even better than, the master. Sound quality is the same as The Nashville Marathon. I wonder what happened to Take 2? I'd like to hear it, assuming it wasn't just a blown opening or something else extremely short.
'Patch It Up'
Disc 1, Track 4, Live Master - August 12 1970 dinner show:
Compared to the excellent studio version, this live version from the original album just feels like a throwaway (though you won't think that if watching Elvis perform it in the film). Sound quality is slightly crisper on the 2000 release, though.
Disc 1, Track 13, Studio Master - Take 8:
This is a great performance and the sound quality here is significantly better than on Walk A Mile In My Shoes. The mix is slightly different as well (I don't have the 1970 single version of this song, unfortunately, so no way for me to determine which, if either, mix is “correct”). The song also goes on about fifteen seconds longer than the 1995 release before fading. Crank this one up!
Disc 1, Track 19, Take 1:
This is a previously unreleased take. The 'Patch It Up' song itself is actually rather insignificant, yet you hear through this and subsequent takes that Elvis could take a mediocre song like this one and turn it into something special.
Disc 1, Track 20, Takes 2-7:
More previously unreleased takes, all of which are blown or cut short. This is that “fly-on-the-wall” aspect that makes this kind of release so appealing. You can hear Elvis putting this song together, improving it little-by-little until he gets an acceptable master take. Elvis literally curses out the song on the seventh take. The very next take would be the master.
Disc 1, Track 21, Take 9:
This is one take after the master, previously released on A Hundred Years From Now. Sound quality here is slightly better, though. Not a bad performance, but the master was appropriately chosen.
'Mary In The Morning'
Disc 1, Track 5, Master - Take 5:
This is a pretty, if forgettable, love song from the original album. As noted for previous master tracks, sound quality was better on the 2000 release, particularly at the beginning of the track. Are the master recordings ageing poorly? That's a scary thought. I'm hoping the problem is a technical glitch or even a (strange) mixing choice.
Disc 2, Track 10, Takes 1-4:
Two previously unreleased takes, followed by Takes 3 and 4, which were first released on The Nashville Marathon. Like 'Patch It Up', the appeal is the illusion of being in the studio while Elvis and gang work through the song. 'Mary In The Morning' is harder to listen to repeatedly, though. It just keeps going and going. Troy in the morning would fall back asleep if he had to listen to this song. Sound quality on Takes 3 and 4 is slightly better than The Nashville Marathon.
'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me'
Disc 1, Track 6, Master - Take 3:
I hate to sound like a broken record, but once again the 2000 edition of this song from the original album beats the 2008 edition. Play them back to back, as I did, and you will hear more power in the 2000 edition. The 2000 edition knocks you back in your seat with, “When I said . . . I needed you...” while the 2008 edition just ruffles your hair a little.
Disc 2, Track 5, Rehearsal Composite:
This previously unreleased track is presumably edited together from a number of rehearsals. The editing here is nearly seamless, a fine job. Great to hear Elvis' producer Felton Jarvis say enthusiastically at the end, “Bravo! That's a gas, man!”
Disc 2, Track 11, Take 1, Take 2:
Take 1 is a short, previously unreleased flub. Take 2 first appeared on A Hundred Years From Now. Sound quality on this 2008 version is much improved.
'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Disc 1, Track 7, Live Master - August 12 1970 midnight show:
This live performance from the original version of the album is the definitive version of this song, by Elvis or anyone else. This is Elvis at his best, on stage doing what he loved the most. Sadly, this 2008 edition of the track also features the mysterious hiss issue. The 2000 version is superior. Incidentally, also released on that 2000 CD set as a separate track, was an even longer version of the same performance of this song. Elvis does a fantastic reprise and the track time runs about two minutes longer.
The August 12 1970 midnight show is one of the best Elvis concerts I've ever heard, and it alone makes it worth picking up the 2000 edition.
'I've Lost You'
Disc 1, Track 8, Live Master - August 11 1970 dinner show:
While I love this live version of 'I've Lost You', one of the original album tracks and certainly a highlight, I prefer the studio version because the lyrics and the arrangement are more complicated. That being said, this is still a great version. I used to play the heck out of it for years until I first heard the studio version on Heart And Soul. This 2008 track suffers from the hiss issue, compared to the 2000 edition.
Disc 1, Track 14, Studio Master - Take 7:
This is another absolute favourite for me. Sure, this wasn't on the original album, but this single did serve to promote that album. An extraordinary performance. The sound quality for this track is on par with its 1995 release on Walk A Mile In My Shoes. Just close your eyes and listen. This is Elvis.
Disc 2, Track 3, Rehearsal, Take 1:
During the previously unreleased rehearsal, Elvis complains about the number of words in the song. This is likely why it was simplified for the live version. Take 1 originally appeared on The Nashville Marathon, with similar sound quality. It's a quiet take, with more deliberate phrasing - probably because he's reading the lyric sheet.
Disc 2, Track 14, Takes 4-6:
The previously unreleased Takes 4 and 5 are cancelled before Elvis even sings a note. Take 6, which is an improvement over Take 1, but not as good as the master on Take 7, was previously released on A Hundred Years From Now. Sound quality here is slightly better.
'Just Pretend'
Disc 1, Track 9, Master - Take 3:
How much Elvis greatness can one man take? This is another favourite, an impressive performance from the original album that only Elvis could deliver. Once again, though, you'll want the 2000 edition over this track, for this 2008 version contains annoying hiss.
Disc 2, Track 12, Takes 1 and 2:
Take 1 is previously unreleased. You guessed it, though, it's just a false start. It barely starts at all, actually. Take 2 was previously released on A Hundred Years From Now, although the sound quality is better on this 2008 release, though.
'Stranger In The Crowd'
Disc 1, Track 10, Master - Take 9:
This is yet another great song, one of the best on the original album. Now do you see why I love this album so much? Once again, the 2000 release sounds better than this one, though.
Disc 2, Track 8, Rehearsal, Takes 1-5:
Finally, some outtakes of this song! All of these are previously unreleased. Take 5 is nearly complete, but Elvis blows it near the end. “I'm sorry about that, man”, he says.
Disc 2, Track 9, Master - Take 9 - Rough Mix:
This previously unreleased rough mix runs about forty-five seconds longer than the final version. This has a slightly different mix, with horns a bit lower. Nice to have as an alternate listening experience.
'The Next Step Is Love'
Disc 1, Track 11, Master - Take 11:
Here's one studio song, from the original album, where I actually prefer the live version. The song is a little hokey either way, but the studio arrangement, complete with xylophone(?), doesn't help matters. Stick to the 2000 version on this song, too, by the way.
Disc 2, Track 6, Rehearsal, Takes 2, 3 and 6:
The interesting thing about this previously unreleased rehearsal is that you can hear the song's demo record playing in the background. The previously unreleased Take 2 and Take 3 are quick flubs. Take 6 was previously released on the Elvis: Today, Tomorrow And Forever box-set. Sound quality is slightly better here, though.
Disc 2, Track 13, Takes 7-10:
Well, you know the pattern by now. Three previously unreleased blown takes, followed by one previously released, complete take. The Nashville Marathon included Take 10, with similar sound quality. This is actually a nice take of the song. No xylophone!
'Bridge Over Troubled Water'
Disc 1, Track 12, Studio Master - Take 8 (with overdubbed applause):
Unfortunately, the Heart And Soul version of this track, with Elvis' vocal raised in the first verse and without the overdubbed applause, was not included on this release. I would have given up 'Tiger Man' or one of the other unrelated songs to have this. As for this original version from the album, it's really not one I ever listen to, once the studio version proper was released. It doesn't do justice to his performance. The Heart And Soul version, though, I would contend as the best version of this song by anyone. Just for fun, though, I checked this 2008 version against the 2000 version. Yes, there's extra hiss here.
Disc 1, Track 16, Live Master - August 11 1970 dinner show:
If RCA wanted to close out That's The Way It Is with a live version of this song, why not use an actual live version? The August 12 1970 midnight show performance, for instance, is nearly as good as the studio version. This track from the August 11 1970 dinner show was originally released on the Platinum box-set, with similar sound. My question is, why didn't FTD place an unreleased live version here instead? They could have used a performance from the August 12 1970 dinner show or the August 13 1970 dinner show.
Disc 2, Track 4, Take 1:
Just when I thought I was tired of hearing this song, this take came on. Beautiful. This was also on The Nashville Marathon with similar sound.
Disc 2, Track 15, Rehearsal, Takes 2 and 5:
The previously unreleased rehearsal is interesting, for it features a much faster take on the song. “I don't know, we'd better not”, Elvis says with a laugh. Too bad they apparently didn't try a whole take like this! Take 2 is previously unreleased and really stops before it even starts. Take 5 was previously released on A Hundred Years From Now, but the sound on this 2008 version is far superior.
Other Songs (not on original album)
Disc 1, Track 17, 'Little Sister/Get Back' (Live - August 12 1970 midnight show):
This great live track first appeared on the Elvis Aron Presley box-set and was also on the That's The Way It Is: Special Edition (2000) set. This features Elvis on electric guitar. Not to be missed.
Disc 1, Track 18, 'Something' (Live Master - August 11 1970 midnight show):
Another great live track. This one first surfaced on Walk A Mile In My Shoes. It appeared again on Live In Las Vegas, this time without the censoring of a mild curse by Elvis. Strangely, this FTD track is the censored version. In any event, this is Elvis' best version of this Beatles’ classic released thus far.
Disc 2, Track 1, 'Tiger Man' (Studio Jam - June 4 1970):
This instrumental jam first appeared on The Nashville Marathon, though, curiously, that CD labels the track as 'Mystery Train’/’Tiger Man' while this release of the same track only acknowledges 'Tiger Man'. Elvis can be heard off-microphone singing 'Tiger Man' but not 'Mystery Train', as far as I can tell, so perhaps that's the reason. However, the guitar opening of the jam itself sounds suspiciously like 'Mystery Train'. In concert, Elvis normally performed these two songs together,as a medley. His 1969 and 1970 live versions of this coupling are fantastic.
So, there you have it, kind of a mixed bag as far as sound quality. Most of the alternate takes have as good or better sound quality than previous releases. I’m not sure why most of the master takes have the extra hiss, which does not seem to
add to or otherwise improve the overall sound but, rather, has the opposite result. Without headphones, though, you are not likely notice the difference. Most people who will buy this kind of album will likely already have the 2000 edition anyway, though.
That said though, due to the content on Discs 2 and 3 of the 2000 edition, it's not like you would throw that one out in favour of this Follow That Dream edition anyway.
