Search - Elvis Presley :: Stereo '57: Essential Elvis Vol 2

This Is Stereo At It's Earliest, A Definite Headphone Moment

08/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD will appeal to those who have an interest in very early stereo recordings of rock and roll. The following quote from the CD pamphlet explains it better than I could:"A couple of years before the advent of the stereo disc in mid-1958, major record companies had been experimenting with stereophonic recording of classical music (often referred to then as 'binaural'). In the popular-music sphere, however, state-of-the-art studios were using the new Ampex 2-track tape recorders for making binaural tapes for other purposes. The engineers would place, say, the vocalist or soloist on one track and the backing band on the other; this enabled further engineering and mixing to produce the final mono master after the performers had left. In the earliest days--as in the case of these Elvis sessions--the binaural machine was run only as a safety copy. Although these 2-track tapes were never intended for stereophonic release thirty-odd years ago, I have very carefully prepared them for stereo enjoyment utilizing techniques that I hope are compatible with the aims of the original recording team and artist. The quality and clarity of these originals certainly belie their age and permit and exciting stereo image by any standard--a tribute indeed to the Radio Recorders engineers. The discovery of these 2-track masters is nothing short of a miracle. The tape boxes have "erase" clearly written on the master log sheets. They are the only ones know to exist from the pre-stereo era".Note: the last 5 tracks (16-20) are in mono and the CD states this.We are very fortunate that Elvis signed up with RCA. Had he not, it could have been another five years before we heard him in stereo and who knows what would have happened to the master tapes from many lesser known record companies that went out of business in the sixties."

A front row seat to History

Eric Cornelius | Bethany,Oklahoma | 07/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD and makes me want more Essential Elvis releases.To hear this young,brash pioneer...to hear the creator of a new sound at work is amazing.To listen as he works up I beg of You,BlueBerry Hill, Is It so Strange and classic gospel numbers like It Is No Secret and peace in the Valley is just indescribable.Unique...Different....Historic....Awesome.Words cannot do justice to this wonderful set.Just Listen."

It's easy, see, I can sing a song all day.

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 01/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD features recordings that Elvis made in January, 1957. Tapes featuring the unedited recording sessions from January 13 & 19 were found in the late 1980s. These tapes happened to be in binaural (two track) stereo, with Elvis in the left speaker and everyone else in the right speaker. It's a very primitive form of stereo, but it's still fun to hear Elvis isolated from the rest of the band. The bulk of this CD features alternate takes from these recording sessions. These are very interesting, as you can hear what went on at the recording session. Some comments made before and after the songs are included. You can also hear mistakes made by Elvis, as he sings the wrong lyric or busts out laughing (or laughs BECAUSE he sang the wrong lyric). Elvis even hits a bad note on "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" (it even happens to the best singers). I should point out that "Mean Woman Blues" take 14 is not an alternate take, but is in fact the master take that was used on the Loving You album way back in 1957 (but this is, of course, the first time is was released in stereo). There were five songs recorded during these sessions for which no binaural tapes could be located. So, these five songs close out the CD in their original mono master take versions. This is a great CD which should appeal to any Elvis fan."