Love Letters from Elvis
Encyclopedia
Love Letters from Elvis is a 1971 studio album by Elvis Presley
.
The album was made up mostly of leftovers from Elvis' marathon June 1970 recording sessions in Nashville. Most of the other 35 songs recorded during those sessions had been used in Elvis' 1970 albums That's the Way It Is and Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)
. Wanting to squeeze out a third album from the sessions, RCA records
had producer Felton Jarvis
mix, overdub and compile the remaining songs. However, few of the songs had the rock, country, or gospel feel that inspired Elvis to his greatest performances. As a result the album was critically panned upon release, and failed to crack the top 20 of the Billboard album charts.
The song's title track was a rare instance of Presley re-recording a past hit in the studio, his original version of "Love Letters" having been released as a single in 1966. "Got My Mojo Working" is edited down from an impromptu jam session
; Presley's version incorporates lyrics from "Hands Off", a 1955 song by Frankie Castro released on the Wing record label (RCA often mislabelled this song "Keep Your Hands Off of It when the complete jam was issued on CD years later).
Three songs from this album were released on singles. The single "Life / Only Believe" was released in March 1971 and reached only #53 on the US Billboard Singles chart. It was Elvis's lowest chart position for a single since "Almost in Love" had reached #95 in late 1968. "Heart Of Rome" was placed on the B-side of the non-album track "I'm Leavin'" released as a single in August 1971.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
.
The album was made up mostly of leftovers from Elvis' marathon June 1970 recording sessions in Nashville. Most of the other 35 songs recorded during those sessions had been used in Elvis' 1970 albums That's the Way It Is and Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)
Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)
Elvis Country is the thirty-seventh studio album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Records Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) is the thirty-seventh studio album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Records Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) is the thirty-seventh studio album by Elvis Presley,...
. Wanting to squeeze out a third album from the sessions, RCA records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
had producer Felton Jarvis
Felton Jarvis
Felton Jarvis, , produced most of Elvis Presley's recordings from 1966-1977.He also released several singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s...
mix, overdub and compile the remaining songs. However, few of the songs had the rock, country, or gospel feel that inspired Elvis to his greatest performances. As a result the album was critically panned upon release, and failed to crack the top 20 of the Billboard album charts.
The song's title track was a rare instance of Presley re-recording a past hit in the studio, his original version of "Love Letters" having been released as a single in 1966. "Got My Mojo Working" is edited down from an impromptu jam session
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
; Presley's version incorporates lyrics from "Hands Off", a 1955 song by Frankie Castro released on the Wing record label (RCA often mislabelled this song "Keep Your Hands Off of It when the complete jam was issued on CD years later).
Three songs from this album were released on singles. The single "Life / Only Believe" was released in March 1971 and reached only #53 on the US Billboard Singles chart. It was Elvis's lowest chart position for a single since "Almost in Love" had reached #95 in late 1968. "Heart Of Rome" was placed on the B-side of the non-album track "I'm Leavin'" released as a single in August 1971.
Track listing
- "Love LettersLove Letters (song)"Love Letters" is a 1945 popular song with music by Victor Young and lyrics by Edward Heyman. The song appeared, without lyrics, in the movie of the same name, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song for 1945....
" (Edward HeymanEdward HeymanEdward Heyman was an American musician and lyricist, best known for his compositions "Body and Soul", "When I Fall in Love", and "For Sentimental Reasons". He also contributed many songs for films.-Biography:...
, Victor YoungVictor YoungVictor Young was an American composer, arranger, violinist and conductor. He was born in Chicago.-Biography:...
) – 2:53 - "When I'm Over You" (Shirl Milete) – 2:28
- "If I Were You" (Gerald Nelson) – 3:01
- "Got My Mojo WorkingGot My Mojo Working"Got My Mojo Working" is a 1956 song written by Preston Foster and first recorded by Ann Cole, but popularized by Muddy Waters in 1957. Waters' rendition of the song was featured on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at #359 and was inducted in the Grammy Hall of...
" (Preston Foster) – 4:36 - "Heart of Rome" (Alan BlaikleyAlan Blaikley-Early life and career:Born in London, where he survived the Blitz, Alan Blaikley was educated at University College School , Hampstead, and Wadham College, Oxford, where he read Classical Moderations and English, and was Reviews Editor of the university newspaper Cherwell.After coming down from...
, Ken HowardKen Howard (composer)Ken Howard is an English songwriter, lyricist, author and television director.-International hits in the 1960s and 1970s:...
, Geoff Stephens) – 2:56 - "Only Believe" (Paul Rader) – 2:50
- "This Is Our Dance" (Les ReedLes ReedLes Reed O.B.E. is an English songwriter, musician and light orchestra leader.-Career:...
, Geoff Stephens) – 3:16 - "Cindy, Cindy" (Dolores FullerDolores FullerDolores Agnes Fuller was an American actress and songwriter best known as the one-time girlfriend of the low-budget film director Edward D. Wood, Jr. She played the protagonist's girlfriend in Glen or Glenda, co-starred in Wood's Jail Bait, and had a minor role in Bride of the Monster...
, Buddy Kaye, Ben WeismanBen WeismanBen Weisman was an eccentric American composer significant for having written more songs recorded by Elvis Presley than any other songwriter in history. The "Mad Professor" as Weisman was nicknamed by Elvis, worked with the King from 1956 to 1971...
) – 2:32 - "I'll Never Know" (Fred Karger, Sid Wayne, Ben Weisman) – 2:25
- "It Ain't No Big Thing (But It's Growing)" (Shorty Hall, Alice Joy Merritt, Neal Merritt) – 2:49
- "Life" (Shirl Milete) – 3:10