Elvis Presley - How Great Thou Art - From First Take to the Master

In popular culture, the 1968 NBC production “Singer Presents Elvis” is commonly seen as the point of resurgence in Elvis’ career following years of stagnation in Hollywood. This of course has subsequently led to the broadcast being better known as “The Comeback Special”.
In truth however, the “comeback” began just over two years earlier in May 1966 with one of the finest and most productive recording sessions in Elvis’ career. It had been over two years since Elvis made a recording not attributed to a movie soundtrack, and exactly three since a full blown recording session which was not of the soundtrack variety.
These sessions in May 1966 must have been exciting for Elvis, now that he was finally able to record his own music rather than that required for a movie. Although primarily a session which was intended to yield a gospel album, six secular tracks were also recorded, as RCA required a single for release. This single was in the guise of the wonderful “Love Letters”, but as far as secular recordings were concerned, “Tomorrow Is a Long Time” was the stand out recordings and remains one of the finest of his career.
In total, twelve gospel tracks were recorded and these would be compiled into an album which would give Elvis the first of his three Grammy awards. The title track of this album was the sublime “How Great Thou Art”, which featured both The Jordanaires and The Imperials.
The song was the second track to be recorded on 25 May 1966, the very first day of recordings at RCA’s studio B in Nashville, and Elvis had the master take achieved in just four attempts.
“How Great Thou Art” would become an integral part of Elvis’ live show with later versions featuring a power ending which usually created a standing ovation. In testament to it’s inclusion in his live shows, the version from Memphis during the final show of his first tour of 1974 is also included, as this would gain Elvis his final Grammy award for “Best Inspirational Performance”.

As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the re-edited audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!

Видео Elvis Presley - How Great Thou Art - From First Take to the Master канала The Ultimate Elvis Channel by Leon