Review by Trevor Cajiao - Elvis: The Man And His Music
This is the fifth joint venture between David English and Pal Granlund, and, like its predecessors (Welcome Home Elvis 1960, From Memphis To Hollywood, Summer Of ‘61 and Something For The Girls!), it homes in on a particular period in Elvis’ career. The bulk of this one centres around the two charity shows of February 25 1961 at Memphis’ Ellis Auditorium. Told mainly via reprints of contemporary newspaper and magazine articles annotated by connecting text and quotes from those involved (musicians, friends, fans etc.), it's easily the most detailed study yet of these often overlooked shows.
Over the years far more attention has been paid to the Hawaiian Benefit Concert the following month, probably because a recording of that one exists, whereas all we have from the Memphis shows are photographs. And this book offers lots of them! Certainly all the previously published ones I recall seeing are here, joined by oodles of others from not only the two shows themselves (gold jacket for the afternoon show, white jacket for the evening performance), but several from the pre-show luncheon / awards ceremony / press conference.
Working through the 268 pages chronologically, we begin with a history of the Ellis Auditorium, including a timeline of all of Elvis’ known appearances there (either as an audience member or performer), then a host of press stories explain how the shows came about - the first announcement being as early as February 1960.
The photos from the luncheon held at the Hotel Claridge show Elvis with a variety of friends, family, colleagues and dignitaries, including Mayor Henry Loeb, Freddy Bienstock, Steve Sholes, The Browns, various Memphis Mafia and, most importantly, three with Sam Phillips. Interestingly, a couple of photos reveal a cameraman filming the proceedings, yet no such footage has ever emerged.
The matinee show is covered in approximately thirty images, mainly black and white but with a dash of colour snaps here and there. Press clippings and other memorabilia are dotted about too, and although what we see is a far less wild Elvis than that ofthe ‘50s, it still appears he was rocking out.
Next up we're at the evening show, backstage at first, with Elvis pictured talking to Hoyt Hawkins, Tom Diskin, Boots Randolph, Gordon Stoker etc. Then we're into the second show - like before, a mixture of black and white and fan-shot colour pictures - with over two-dozen images to enjoy.
Set lists of both gigs are featured, though with eye-witness accounts varying on what was actually performed, there’s guesswork involved.
Following more press on how successful the shows were and how local charities would benefit from them, the book then covers Elvis’ trip to Nashville on March 8 1961, to be honoured by the Tennessee State Legislature. A selection of rare black and white photos - most of them previously unpublished - show him arriving at the State Capitol building, being greeted by various officials and enjoying the company of Ann Ellington, daughter of the Governor. We also see Elvis addressing the House of Representatives.
There follows an interesting piece on Johnny Bragg of The Prisonaires, who Elvis dropped by to visit at the Tennessee State Prison once his “official” duties were over. Sadly, there's no photographic record of the occasion, but there is a photo of Elvis watching Bragg singing at Governor Frank Clement's mansion in December 1957.
The book closes with sections on the Something For Everybody sessions March 12 and 13), Elvis’ visit to the National Quartet Convention (October 13 and 14) and a piece on his involvement with several Memphis charities.
So much attention to detail and so many unseen images makes Memphis To Nashville '61 another essential item from this team, and I hope there’s lots more to come in the future.
As a bonus there’s a CD too, though I'm afraid I can't get excited over a mono version of the Something For Everybody album - the original stereo recordings are just perfect as they are.
The disc also includes a cleaned-up version of the twenty-minute February 25 press conference, plus twenty-four minutes of audio of Elvis being made an honorary Colonel at the State Legislature on March 8, though the sound is ropey and there’s lots of waffle before you get to Elvis‘ three-minute acceptance speech.
Memphis To Nashville ’61 is another very worthy addition to your Presley library.
Buy with confidence.
