Elvis Presley in the 70's...

[Rick Henry]

Elvis' hits continued into the late 70's. He had more than 20 hits during the decade.

One of my favorites is "Way Down" from 1977. This song was the one on the charts at the time of his death. It sold over 1 million copies. It is on the 1977 album named "Moody Blue"


Click Here for Elvis Presley "Way Down"

Will come back with more Elvis from the 70's.

[Rick Henry]

Here's another great Elvis hit from the 70's.

"Moody Blue" is a song made famous by Elvis Presley.

Written by Mark James (who also penned Elvis' "Suspicious Minds"), the song became Presley's last No. 1 hit in his lifetime, topping the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart in February 1977. RCA also issued an extremely limited quantity of the "Moody Blue" single in an experimental translucent blue vinyl pressing, with "She Thinks I Still Care" as the B-side. Six months after "Moody Blue" topped the chart, Presley was dead.

The song was recorded in February 1976 in the Jungle Room of Presley's Graceland home.

"Moody Blue" reached #31 on the U.S. singles chart in 1976.


Click Here for Elvis Presley "Moody Blue"

[timo]

I've always had a soft spot for Elvis's '70's music. I used to collect his LP's (I had something like 60 different ones - which isn't much!) in the 70's and 80's and even if it was "hip" then to dig the early stuff, I mostly listened to his final recordings like these two which are represented here. The fire of his early performances is gone but there is a genuine feeling of a man singing his heart out for you. It sends shivers down my spine - still.

[Rick Henry]

Dec 2, 2008 12:04:10 GMT -5 timo said:

I've always had a soft spot for Elvis's '70's music. I used to collect his LP's (I had something like 60 different ones - which isn't much!) in the 70's and 80's and even if it was "hip" then to dig the early stuff, I mostly listened to his final recordings like these two which are represented here. The fire of his early performances is gone but there is a genuine feeling of a man singing his heart out for you. It sends shivers down my spine - still.

I'm with you Timo... as much as I love Elvis' 50's and (some of his) 60's hits... my favorite era was the 70's. He had some great hits during this time such as "Burnin' Love", "Kentucky Rain" and the two I posted links to.

I really enjoyed the entire "Moody Blue" album... I purchased that one when it was released. One of my favorite songs from that album is "Pledging My Love" which was the flipside of "Way Down".

btw... I had to repost the YouTube link above for the song "Way Down"... take a look at the new video... it excellent.

[timo]

The video is truly magnificent - so was Elvis!
I've always loved the Elvis On Tour-film from 1973 (?) where Elvis is recording Always On My Mind (hey - another Mark James classic!) in the studio - it's a true proof of his genius. Parts of that is shown on this video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI94AsuvUUA

[Rick Henry]

Elvis did a fine job with "Always On My Mind"... a favorite which I also liked by Willie Nelson.

I mentioned the song "Pledging My Love" in an above post. This song reached the top 5 on the Country Music chart. This is one of my Twenty most favorite Elvis tunes...

Click Here for Elvis Presley "Pledging My Love"

[enigma]

I hesitate to use the words washed up when referring to Elvis Presley because he is such an icon that on his worst day he still sounded pretty good but I do feel his best years were behind him by the time the 1970s came along. However I like some of his stuff most notable Burning love My Way to a degree and he did do a pleasant version of Always on My Mind.

[Rick Henry]

Dec 28, 2008 17:08:21 GMT -5 enigma said:

I hesitate to use the words washed up when referring to Elvis Presley because he is such an icon that on his worst day he still sounded pretty good but I do feel his best years were behind him by the time the 1970s came along. However I like some of his stuff most notable Burning love My Way to a degree and he did do a pleasant version of Always on My Mind.

By all means we really couldn't say Elvis was "washed up" in the 70's... but I do agree he wasn't quite as consistent with the great songs as he was in the 50's and early 60's.

He had some excellent tunes in the 70's... with "Burnin'' Love" being one of his best.

I never really cared for his renditions of "My Way" or "Always On My Mind"... but overall I just don't really care for either song by any artist.

I do however love his upbeat tunes from the 70's such as "Moody Blue" and the fantastic "Way Down"... I really love his low voice in "Way Down"... now that was an excellent song.

[timo]

It's Elvis's birthday today and he would be in his 70's (74 I think) these days.
I just listened to The Complete '68 Comeback Special-CD and as much as I'm a fan of his 1970's music, I have to admit that he's at his rocking best in that TV show (which was 40 years ago) - The Tiger Man Strikes For The Last Time.
He just went and got better in many other ways after that!
Happy B-Day E!

[Rick Henry]

yes, January 8, 1935 is the day Elvis Presley was born. Although, I do not consider him one of my all-time favorites... I do like a good amount of his music.

Some of my favorites by Elvis are "Blue Suede Shoes", "Guitar Man", "Little Sister" (a big favorite), "Blue Moon Of Kentucky", "Don't Be Cruel", "Hound Dog", "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck", "Hard Headed Woman", "King Creole", "Dixie Land rock", "Crawfish", "Fame and Fortune", "Return To Sender", "Frankie and Johnny", "U.S. Male", "A Little Less Conversation", "In The Ghetto" (another big favorite), "Suspicious Minds", "Rubberneckin'", "Kentucky Rain", "Burnin' Love", "Moody Blue", "Way down" (my favorite by Elvis), "Pledging My Love", "Guitar Man" (1981 mix)(another big big favorite).

Anyway, I wish he was still around because I'm sure he had some great music left in him... judging form those great singles "Moody Blue" and "Way Down" which were the last two he released before his death Elvis was getting back to his rock and roll roots.

[timo]

That would make a great compilation album - most of my favorites are included - I think I'd add Big Boss Man because I also love the late great Jerry Reed's guitar pickin' a lot! (btw. Guitar Man and US Male are his songs) + If I Can Dream, that's a thundering performance. And from the '70's a bunch (20 Days And 20 Nights, Until It's Time For You To Go, I've Got A Thing About You Baby, Promised Land, Make The World Go Away etc.)
Just last week I saw Elvis by the slot machine at my local store here in Helsinki...

[Rick Henry]

Jan 8, 2009 4:15:59 GMT -5 timo said:

That would make a great compilation album - most of my favorites are included - I think I'd add Big Boss Man because I also love the late great Jerry Reed's guitar pickin' a lot! (btw. Guitar Man and US Male are his songs) + If I Can Dream, that's a thundering performance. And from the '70's a bunch (20 Days And 20 Nights, Until It's Time For You To Go, I've Got A Thing About You Baby, Promised Land, Make The World Go Away etc.)
Just last week I saw Elvis by the slot machine at my local store here in Helsinki...

Oh yes, "Big Boss Man"... I love that tune. Elvis recorded tons of music it's easy to miss some here and there.

Probably my favorite album of all his is the soundtrack for "King Creole" from 1958... it has a bit of the dixieland jazz influence... it's a very tasty album.

[timo]

And King Creole is his best movie.