Elvis Presley: Memphis (Box Set)

[ForeverElvis]

I finally got around to buying both the 5CD set and the vinyl and give (the box set) a proper listening session.
Thought Matt Ross Sprang did a great job on the Las Vegas 1969, From Elvis In Nashville and Back In Nashville box sets but this one did not catch my enthusiasm.
- For the Sun sides A Boy From Tupelo will be my go-to set.
- For The American sound sessions, I perfectly happy with the FTDs and complete sessions set and I even favor the good old Memphis Record over these mixes.
- For the Stax sessions I personally prefer Elvis at Stax, as I prefer Jungle Room Sessions (FTD) and Way Down In The Jungle Room over the representation on this album.
- The Memphis 1974 might just have a bit more punch on this release than previous mixes, but pales in comparison to the quad mix (also the original From Elvis In Memphis and Promised Land quad mixes sound blow these mixes out of the water).
Personally I am not very enthusiastic about this release and I think it is a hit and miss job with quite a few sound issues and odd mixing choices like Don't Cry Daddy. I will leave the records sealed and store the box set in my collection > not something I will revisit frequently.

I agree with you regarding the generally inferior mixes for '69, '73, '76 on this set but as far as Elvis' voice specifically, if one did an A-B comparison, it has never sounded better than here. If we could take the voice upgrade of Memphis and the instrumental mixes of the previous releases you mention (minus the often overpowering back up vocalists), then that would be a winner for me.

Why don’t we just Re-Animate Elvis and have him re-record everything while we’re at it.

[Alexander]

The Memphis 1974 might just have a bit more punch on this release than previous mixes, but pales in comparison to the quad mix (also the original From Elvis In Memphis

Now if only Ernst could dig up & locate the complete Memphis concert master tape (if in fact it exists),mixed by Dennis Ferrante in 1997 & release that, it would be quite nice. It would put ALL other mixes & releases to shame, including the latest Ross-Spang mix.

Adding up all releases so far I think this latest sound and the FTD is the best we'll ever get.
The concert recording has it's limitations in terms of thin bass track, weak snare drum and kick drum doesn't seem to be recorded at all.
Even on the Platinum mix there's no kick drum during the Steamroller intro and we know Ronnie did use it heavily.

Matt Ross stated he leaned on the audience track quite a bit and it gives you a true concert feel so I'm quite ok with the MEMPHIS audio.
The overall sound is pretty cool and Elvis voice shines.
And it's obviously better than the Legacy release but that was an easy game.

I honestly don't have a very detailed musical ear, so take it for what it is, but you mention a weak bassline and lack of kick drum. You are still very welcome to listen to the quad mix, how the mix was done over 4 channels at the time and whether you can hear this instrumentation there. Of course the quad mix is ​​closer to the original stereo mix, but what you see here is that the recording of the audience works very well: you really have the feeling that you are standing in the middle of the Midsouth Colosseum. Just saying

[drjohncarpenter]

Why don’t we just Re-Animate Elvis and have him re-record everything while we’re at it.

Frankly, imagine how much 21st century audio technology could improve "My Boy."

[sweetangeline]

Why don’t we just Re-Animate Elvis and have him re-record everything while we’re at it.

Frankly, imagine how much 21st century audio technology could improve "My Boy."

...you are my life, my pride, my joy

[drjohncarpenter]

Frankly, imagine how much 21st century audio technology could improve "My Boy."

...you are my life, my pride, my joy

It's even possible they could create an actual complete take of the song.

[Greystoke]

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[drjohncarpenter]

"Supertoys Last All Summer Long"

[minkahed]

The Memphis 1974 might just have a bit more punch on this release than previous mixes, but pales in comparison to the quad mix (also the original From Elvis In Memphis

Now if only Ernst could dig up & locate the complete Memphis concert master tape (if in fact it exists),mixed by Dennis Ferrante in 1997 & release that, it would be quite nice. It would put ALL other mixes & releases to shame, including the latest Ross-Spang mix.

Funny you mention this, as I have been doing the same comparison with the Platinum set against the Memphis one and it’s like nite and day, as I definitely prefer the Platinum mixes much better.

[TCB-FAN]

The Memphis 1974 might just have a bit more punch on this release than previous mixes, but pales in comparison to the quad mix (also the original From Elvis In Memphis

Now if only Ernst could dig up & locate the complete Memphis concert master tape (if in fact it exists),mixed by Dennis Ferrante in 1997 & release that, it would be quite nice. It would put ALL other mixes & releases to shame, including the latest Ross-Spang mix.

Funny you mention this, as I have been doing the same comparison with the Platinum set against the Memphis one and it’s like nite and day, as I definitely prefer the Platinum mixes much better.

I'm not discounting the realm of possibility that the Ferrante tape of the entire Memphis concert does exist ,because after all, BMG did release the Ferrante mix of Aloha show in 1998, which sounded fantastic, imho..... as well as the "An Afternoon In The Garden" (June 10th ,1972 A.S.) ,released in 1997. Only Ernst & his Sony team would know for sure what they have in the vaults.