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Elvis Sessions III

Sessions III –
When all IS cool!
JAT Publishing By: Joe Tunzi
Review By: Jordan Ritchie
Well folks, I ordered this
massive book as soon as it was
to be released at the end of
August 2004, and it has taken me
until NOW to get through this
massive Six-Hundred-Thirty page
book. The question you are
probably asking is should you as
the Elvis fan get it? If you
don’t want to read the review
and want your answer now.. It is
YES! And do it soon, because the
book is about sold out in it’s
first printing.. But have no
fear; a second printing I’m told
is on the way soon!
Now, onto the contents of the
book. The book starts with a
forward by Bill Porter who was
Elvis’ sound Engineer back in
the day. He had also worked hand
in hand with the DCC release “24
Carat Gold Hits” remastered cd.
Then, it’s onto the explanations
of the Sessions layouts and what
all the abbreviations mean.
There had been many rumors of a
“Better” layout.. But, why fix
something that isn’t broken? One
welcome sight to the sessions
listing was the addition of song
titles in the session notes
along with the matrix numbers.
This has come in handy because
you no longer have to stop, and
go back to the sessions and
cross-reference the matrix
number to the song titles.
Another addition to the book
after each session is a listing
of all the available outtakes
from that session on official
BMG/FTD releases. Maybe in the
next edition he can
cross-reference each songs
outtakes much like this
printing, but add where the
songs are on “Import” releases?
Now, this book has a bit of
“Something for everybody.” Not
only does it have an exhaustive
be all, end all (for now)
sessionography. It also contains
many many never before seen
photographs throughout the book.
They are all in B&W, but the
rarity of the shots make up for
that! After all if they were in
color you could smack a much
larger price tag onto this book
that is a steal at its going
rate. More on that in a minute!
Ok, so I’ve read all about the
sessions and learned a bunch of
tidbits like:
- There
was an additional
standup show in the ’68
special!
-
Soundboards exist from almost
every season and tour!
-
“Little Mama” is out there!
- Many
unknown rehearsals.
- And
much more!
Now
onto the fans of statistics!
This book contains a complete
listing of Elvis’ RIAA awards;
Top ten albums – extended plays
– and singles. As well as a
listing of Grammy award
nominations. This book also
gives a good overview of the
Elvis import cd scene (ok
bootlegs..) in it’s “Essential
Bootlegs” section. Complete with
song listings!
All in all, this is a
fantastic book for the serious
Elvis fan, and beginner Elvis
alike. You can order this book
by emailing
Joe Tunzi, or by
visiting his website:
J.A.T. Publishing
The book is $59.95 and worth
every cent! |