Guitar Man

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londonflash
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Re: Guitar Man

Post by londonflash »

The last verse of the 68 TV Special opening is about as rock as Elvis ever got. Tremendous.


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by jeanno »

Single version ... 4 / 5
1968 coupled with TROUBLE ... 5 / 5



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by Stevenson »

What is really a shame, it's the good song could have gotten erased/scrapped because of Parker's greed (royalty cut). It should have been a sign for Elvis to change the manager.
Like the studio master, but prefer ad-libbed extra verse from Comeback "I'm gonna get myself back on the track and never ever gonna look back".


When your heart gets restless - time to move along,
When your heart gets weary - time to sing a song,
But when a dream is calling you
There's just one thing that you can do...


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by jeanno »

Stevenson wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 10:42 pm
What is really a shame, it's the good song could have gotten erased/scrapped because of Parker's greed (royalty cut). It should have been a sign for Elvis to change the manager.
Like the studio master, but prefer ad-libbed extra verse from Comeback "I'm gonna get myself back on the track and never ever gonna look back".
Elvis should have fired him the first time Parker interfered between his client and people like Scotty or the writing team Leiber / Stoller. That will always be Elvis' biggest mistake.



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by drjohncarpenter »

jetblack wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 6:51 pm
The trouble with the 'Guitar Man' single is that it was included on the 'Clambake' album first and then released as a single three months later in January 1968. It did ok, peaking at position #43 on Billboard with sales of around 300,000. It probably would have sold better if released prior to the 'Clambake' album.

'Guitar Man' did chart better here in the UK, staying on the chart for nine weeks with a peak position of #19.

Andy



With all due respect, peaking at #43 on the "Hot 100" is a failure for someone of Elvis' stature. The fact it was a great recording just made it worse. The years of terrible singles and LPs was working against him in January 1968.

It's one of many reasons why, at their first meeting in May 1968, when Elvis asked director Steve Binder for an opinion on the Presley career he replied "It's in the toilet." Elvis laughed. The honesty bonded them together immediately.

That a remake of "Guitar Man" became a thread running through much of the TV special was the icing on the cake.


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by jurasic1968 »

Right.



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by drjohncarpenter »

Phil C. wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:49 pm
The story goes that Elvis had trouble capturing it. Mary Lynch (assistant Chet Atkins) managed to track down Reed who was casually fishing. Elvis' guitarists could not achieve ''that sound'' that Reed had mastered. It is indeed country/rock, even with some folk.


The trouble, to be precise, was capturing the distinctive guitar sound on the original RCA recording by . . . Jerry Reed.





Jerry Reed "Guitar Man" (RCA 47-9152, March 25, 1967)
Billboard "Hot Country Singles" #53, July 15, 1967



So, of course, Elvis gets Jerry to that session, unshaven, still wearing his fishing gear.

Reed's vocal is in his pronounced country style, while Presley's singing is rock 'n' roll all the way.


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by drjohncarpenter »

r&b wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 9:13 pm
Igotstung wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 7:54 pm
Love the Comeback Special version.


Yes it is spectacular, wished it wasnt lip-synched tho. Funny, the next day at work (Dec. 4th 1968) no one had ever heard the song before. As people knew I was a fan, they asked me about. A good single from 1968 went unnoticed by the general public. You had to be a fan to really know it. Sad


But it got better after that.

Also, some of his TV special renditions of "Guitar Man" do feature live vocals on top of the pre-recorded backing track.


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by TheKingOfMusicEP »

jetblack wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 6:51 pm
The trouble with the 'Guitar Man' single is that it was included on the 'Clambake' album first and then released as a single three months later in January 1968. It did ok, peaking at position #43 on Billboard with sales of around 300,000. It probably would have sold better if released prior to the 'Clambake' album.

'Guitar Man' did chart better here in the UK, staying on the chart for nine weeks with a peak position of #19.

Andy
The remixed version did even better on the charts:
Chart (1981) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #28
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles #1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary #16
Canadian RPM Country Tracks #1

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guitar_Man_(song)&wprov=rarw1



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by jetblack »

TheKingOfMusicEP wrote:
Wed Oct 30, 2024 12:26 pm
jetblack wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 6:51 pm
The trouble with the 'Guitar Man' single is that it was included on the 'Clambake' album first and then released as a single three months later in January 1968. It did ok, peaking at position #43 on Billboard with sales of around 300,000. It probably would have sold better if released prior to the 'Clambake' album.

'Guitar Man' did chart better here in the UK, staying on the chart for nine weeks with a peak position of #19.

Andy
The remixed version did even better on the charts:
Chart (1981) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #28
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles #1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary #16
Canadian RPM Country Tracks #1

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guitar_Man_(song)&wprov=rarw1
In 1981 'Guitar Man' (remix) stayed on the Billboard singles chart for fourteen weeks. It peaked at position #28 for two straight weeks.

Andy


Elvis - King of the UK charts

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Re: Guitar Man

Post by drjohncarpenter »

Stevenson wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 10:42 pm
What is really a shame, it's the good song could have gotten erased/scrapped because of Parker's greed (royalty cut). It should have been a sign for Elvis to change the manager.
Like the studio master, but prefer ad-libbed extra verse from Comeback "I'm gonna get myself back on the track and never ever gonna look back".



Pretty sure that was not an ad-lib but something added by writers Blye and Bearde during production of the 1968 TV special, with Jerry Reed's okay.

Just noticed Allan Blye passed away three weeks ago, at the age of 87. His old partner left us in April 2017. Time flies.


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by drjohncarpenter »

Found a couple more interesting Jerry Reed-related bits from 1967.

One is a huge RCA ad for his single of "Guitar Man," including a fulsome endorsement from his producer, Chet Atkins.

The other is Jerry performing his single A-side, plus a great track from the debut RCA LP which followed shortly after, called "Take A Walk."

His astonishing guitar work is on full display here, and you can imagine it was much the same when he played with Elvis in the studio in September 1967 and January 1968. On top of that, his confident and easy vocal manner is endearing.

What a tremendous and unique talent!







Jerry Reed "Guitar Man" and "Take A Walk" (syndicated "Music City USA," November 1967)




Billboard Jun 03 1967_p51.jpg

Billboard - June 3, 1967
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Re: Guitar Man

Post by Phil C. »

The '68 Comeback Special is seen as the ''comeback''. However, it actually starts in September 1967, which is a turning point, during the ''Guitar Man Sessions''. The real beginning of the ''comeback''.



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by jurasic1968 »

Yes, but Elvis's single was only on the 43 position on the Bilboard top in 1968.



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by jurasic1968 »

Later in 1968, US Male reached number 28.



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by drjohncarpenter »

TheKingOfMusicEP wrote:
Wed Oct 30, 2024 12:26 pm
The remixed version did even better on the charts:
Chart (1981) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #28
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles #1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary #16
Canadian RPM Country Tracks #1

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guitar_Man_(song)


Well, except that Elvis had been dead for over three years at that point.

This peak at #28 on the "Hot 100" held for the March 21 and 28 charts, then fell all the way to #65 on April 4. It reached #30 on the Cash Box "Top 100" for March 14, 1981.

Note also this single is not a "remix," but a re-recording. Only Elvis' vocal from 14 years earlier remains.

https://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/801016.html

What is also curious is RCA's Felton Jarvis had tried a "Guitar Man" re-record in January-February 1980, but kept it on the shelf.


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by drjohncarpenter »

Phil C. wrote:
Thu Oct 31, 2024 7:27 pm
The '68 Comeback Special is seen as the ''comeback''. However, it actually starts in September 1967, which is a turning point, during the ''Guitar Man Sessions''. The real beginning of the ''comeback''.


Don't agree with that revisionist view.

From September 1967 to December 1968, Presley delivered this work on record and at the movies:


Singles
Big Boss Man #38
Guitar Man #43
U.S. Male #28
You'll Never Walk Alone #90
Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby #71
A Little Less Conversation #69
If I Can Dream #12


Albums
Clambake #40
Elvis' Gold Records Volume 4 #33
Speedway #82
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others #96
Elvis #8


Films
Clambake
Stay Away, Joe
Speedway
Live a Little, Love a Little


No one in media, or anywhere, saw this output as a "comeback." Yes, Elvis began to care again about his studio recordings in the fall of 1967, and some single A-sides reflected that. But only hardcore fans noticed, including Ringo Starr. In theaters, and at radio and retail, as Steve Binder put it, Elvis' career was "in the toilet."

It was only after the powerhouse NBC-TV broadcast at the end of 1968, and the passionate single that was "If I Can Dream," that Elvis began to regain relevance. This is evident in the significant uptick in chart placement. The following year built on that, in a number of wonderful ways.

With hindsight, the media began to label "Singer Presents Elvis" as "The Comeback," and rightfully so.


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Stop, look and listen, baby <<--->> that's my philosophy!


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by sweetangeline »

drjohncarpenter wrote:
Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:56 pm
No one in media, or anywhere, saw this output as a "comeback." Yes, Elvis began to care again about his studio recordings in the fall of 1967, and some single A-sides reflected that.
...well said John...fits much better than the `67 Comeback :wink:



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by jeanno »

londonflash wrote:
Tue Oct 29, 2024 9:30 pm
The last verse of the 68 TV Special opening is about as rock as Elvis ever got. Tremendous.
He rocked that hard in the studio again while recording another classic, LONG BLACK LIMOUSINE, in January 1969.
Not sure it happened again after.



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by Igotstung »

drjohncarpenter wrote:
Thu Oct 31, 2024 9:56 pm
Phil C. wrote:
Thu Oct 31, 2024 7:27 pm
The '68 Comeback Special is seen as the ''comeback''. However, it actually starts in September 1967, which is a turning point, during the ''Guitar Man Sessions''. The real beginning of the ''comeback''.


Don't agree with that revisionist view.

From September 1967 to December 1968, Presley delivered this work on record and at the movies:


Singles
Big Boss Man #38
Guitar Man #43
U.S. Male #28
You'll Never Walk Alone #90
Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby #71
A Little Less Conversation #69
If I Can Dream #12


Albums
Clambake #40
Elvis' Gold Records Volume 4 #33
Speedway #82
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others #96
Elvis #8


Films
Clambake
Stay Away, Joe
Speedway
Live a Little, Love a Little


No one in media, or anywhere, saw this output as a "comeback." Yes, Elvis began to care again about his studio recordings in the fall of 1967, and some single A-sides reflected that. But only hardcore fans noticed, including Ringo Starr. In theaters, and at radio and retail, as Steve Binder put it, Elvis' career was "in the toilet."

It was only after the powerhouse NBC-TV broadcast at the end of 1968, and the passionate single that was "If I Can Dream," that Elvis began to regain relevance. This is evident in the significant uptick in chart placement. The following year built on that, in a number of wonderful ways.

With hindsight, the media began to label "Singer Presents Elvis" as "The Comeback," and rightfully so.
This summarizes it.

Also, what is the Ringo reference?



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by LSP-4445 »

The version I play the most is the 1980 overdubbed version that FJ did……..not proud of it but thats the version I definately like the best 🤷


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by bajo »

Back in the day, picking up the Big Boss Man, the Guitar Man and the U S Male singles, I knew something was changing! And it did!
To me, those are the early come back singles by Elvis! The Come Back Special really only confirmed that he was on his way back.
That said: I loved those singles, because it was Elvis "trying" to do something else. To me, I think they are great Elvis recordings.
In the time frame, the didn't give any impact to the world at large. But, to me: Hopes turned into reality! The history tells the rest!


"If you love me let me know, if you don't, ....move it!"


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by Phil C. »

bajo wrote:
Sun Nov 03, 2024 10:47 pm
Back in the day, picking up the Big Boss Man, the Guitar Man and the U S Male singles, I knew something was changing! And it did!
To me, those are the early come back singles by Elvis! The Come Back Special really only confirmed that he was on his way back.
That said: I loved those singles, because it was Elvis "trying" to do something else. To me, I think they are great Elvis recordings.
In the time frame, the didn't give any impact to the world at large. But, to me: Hopes turned into reality! The history tells the rest!
Very well said.



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Re: Guitar Man

Post by drjohncarpenter »

bajo wrote:
Sun Nov 03, 2024 10:47 pm
Back in the day, picking up the Big Boss Man, the Guitar Man and the U S Male singles, I knew something was changing! And it did!
To me, those are the early come back singles by Elvis! The Come Back Special really only confirmed that he was on his way back.
That said: I loved those singles, because it was Elvis "trying" to do something else. To me, I think they are great Elvis recordings.



Did you think Elvis "was on his way back" when you went and saw these movies, and heard the music on the soundtrack?


Clambake - Oct 1967
Stay Away, Joe - Mar 1968
Speedway - Jun 1968



bajo wrote:
Sun Nov 03, 2024 10:47 pm
In the time frame, the didn't give any impact to the world at large.



Bingo.


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Re: Guitar Man

Post by Igotstung »

bajo wrote:
Sun Nov 03, 2024 10:47 pm
Back in the day, picking up the Big Boss Man, the Guitar Man and the U S Male singles, I knew something was changing! And it did!
To me, those are the early come back singles by Elvis! The Come Back Special really only confirmed that he was on his way back.
That said: I loved those singles, because it was Elvis "trying" to do something else. To me, I think they are great Elvis recordings.
In the time frame, the didn't give any impact to the world at large. But, to me: Hopes turned into reality! The history tells the rest!
Comeback by definition is propulsive , a return to former success after a gap of relative failure/ irrelevance. That was the 1968 Special.

No doubt Elvis was waking up 66 onwards with HGTA, Guitar Man Sessions, and sharp fans like you noticed.