moody blue

Elvis Presley's final album was culled from sessions at the jungle room and various live tracks.  In his later years, Elvis was reluctant to go to recording studios. RCA was eager to get new material and set up facilities at his home in Graceland.  Producer Felton Jarvis brought session musicians there in February and October of 1976, during which time only a few tracks were recorded as Elvis was distracted with his collections of police badges, guns, and motorcycles.  Studio time was booked in Nashville, Tennessee for January 1977; but Elvis said he was sick after arguing with his girlfriend Ginger Alden when she refused to come with him.  Elvis continued to tour during 1977, even though his health had drastically deteriorated with an enlarged colon, glaucoma, high blood pressure, and  liver damage  from his misuse of prescription drugs.  He had otherwise become a recluse hiding out in hotel rooms.  When RCA could not get him to show up in a studio, they decided to use live tracks from his shows that year for the remainder of the 'Moody Blue' album.  



It was released in July on blue vinyl.  It sold moderately after the success of the title single; but after Elvis was found dead at Graceland on August 16, 1977, it rocketed up the charts, reaching number forty-six in Sweden; three in the Netherlands, Norway, in the UK, and on the US pop album chart; two in Canada, and number one in New Zealand and on the US country album chart.  'Moody Blue' sold over two millions copies.  







http://www.elvis.com/

The song "Moody Blue" was written by Mark James, who had also written 'Suspicious Minds'.  It wasa recorded at Graceland during the sessions on February 4, 1976 and held over for this album.  It went to number fifty-seven on the Canadian pop chart; thirty-one on the US pop chart; three on the Canadian country chart; two on the Canadian and US adult contemporary charts; and number one on the US country chart.  It was Elvis' last number one hit during his lifetime.  







"Way Down" (Layng Martine, Jr.) was recorded at Graceland on October 29, 1976.  It was his current single when he died, having peaked at number thirty-one and fallen out of the top forty.  It began to rise back up the chart, going to eighteen.  It went to number one on the Canadian and US country charts.  The recording features gospel bass singing legend J.D. Sumner singing backup and hitting a double low C note, which, according to theGuinness Book of World Records, is the lowest recorded note ever produced by the human voice.





His live version of the Righteous Brothers classic "Unchained Melody" (Alex North and Hy Zaret) was recorded on tour April 24, 1977.  It went to number six on the Canadian and US country charts.







The album included two Olivia Newton-John covers written by John Rostill:  

"If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" was recorded on tour April 26, 1977.


"Let Me Be There" was reprised from the album, 'Elvis: As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis' from a concert on March 20, 1974.

full album:




Side A
1. "Unchained Melody" (recorded on tour) Alex North, Hy Zaret April 24, 1977 2:32
2. "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" (recorded on tour) John Rostill April 26, 1977 2:57
3. "Little Darlin'" (recorded on tour) Maurice Williams April 24, 1977 1:52
4. "He'll Have to Go" (recorded at Graceland) Joe Allison, Audrey Allison October 31, 1976 4:28
5. "Let Me Be There" (from the album, Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis) John Rostill March 20, 1974 3:26
Side B
1. "Way Down" (recorded at Graceland) Layng Martine, Jr. October 29, 1976 2:37
2. "Pledging My Love" (recorded at Graceland) Don Robey, Ferdinand Washington October 29, 1976 2:50
3. "Moody Blue" (recorded at Graceland) Mark James February 4, 1976 2:49
4. "She Thinks I Still Care" (recorded at Graceland) Dickey Lee, Steve Duffy February 2, 1976 3:49

5. "It's Easy for You" (recorded at Graceland) Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice October 29, 1976 3:26