(Small) imperfections on studio masters

[LSP-4445]

The backup singers can be heard talking during the last verse of Mary In The Morning.

Great topic.
Regarding “Mary”… this was very annoying when I heard it for the first time, and it was a huge issue back then.
Even Ernst Jorgensen commented on it in TMAHM magazine.
The worst example is on the ’70s box set from 1995, but over the years Sony has managed to fix this pretty well.
As for imperfect masters, there are many, mainly due to Elvis’ voice cracks/breaks during the songs. Some are worse than others, and for some reason this happens quite often during the 1970 studio sessions.
The worst of the worst example is not on a master, but on “Tomorrow Never Comes” – take 2.

Yes, and Stranger in the Crowd has bothered me a little for a long time, but many people don’t hear that it isn’t a great take.

[sun215]

The laughter at the end of If You Talk In Your Sleep, which funnily enough doesn't feature on every version of the master.

The false starts at the beginning of I'll Hold You In My Heart. It's hard to imagine what the song would sound like with a clean intro after all these years...

I kinda like that. Portrays a relaxed atmosphere and adds to the song which is very repetitive

[sun215]

The 'squeak' in So Glad You're Mine during the instrumental break. Been annoying me since 1956!

[dougkapp]

In the song “I'll Hold You in My Heart” from the album From Elvis In Memphis, you can hear someone speaking in the first few seconds of the song, someone even says “Okay”....

[Bilbobaggins]

In the song “I'll Hold You in My Heart” from the album From Elvis In Memphis, you can hear someone speaking in the first few seconds of the song, someone even says “Okay”....

Yes indeed. @rockinrebel mentioned this a few posts back. In fact, the master is preceded by two false starts on the final cut. They left the two false starts on the master... wich sounds quite good that way. It gives the song a spontaneous feel.

[rockinrebel]

The laughter at the end of If You Talk In Your Sleep, which funnily enough doesn't feature on every version of the master.

The false starts at the beginning of I'll Hold You In My Heart. It's hard to imagine what the song would sound like with a clean intro after all these years...

I kinda like that. Portrays a relaxed atmosphere and adds to the song which is very repetitive

Agreed. I miss it when it's not there to be honest...

[rockinrebel]

In the song “I'll Hold You in My Heart” from the album From Elvis In Memphis, you can hear someone speaking in the first few seconds of the song, someone even says “Okay”....

Yes indeed. @rockinrebel mentioned this a few posts back. In fact, the master is preceded by two false starts on the final cut. They left the two false starts on the master... wich sounds quite good that way. It gives the song a spontaneous feel.

If my memory is correct there is a clean intro on this boot:

https://elvisoncd.com/frame.htm?https:/ ... is1969.htm

[John]

Over 20 years ago I started putting together a list of things to listen out for, which included most, if not all, mentioned above. It was called Things to Listen Out For and published on an Elvis website hosted by a guy called Narek (anyone remember him?).

These background sounds and errors always fascinated me. I've tried to update it occasionally. Here are some more.
Over the years people added to the list. These are not all masters, but still, fun to listen to.

A Thing Called Love - creaky chair in the intro
Are You Sincere opening on Raised On Rock FTD (take 4) - someone bumps into a mic?
Bossa Nova Baby at 2'04" - comment frpm Elvis?
Bringing It Back on Today FTD disc 1 track 15 take 1 - strange noise at 3'12"
Danny Boy - Moody Blue/Boulevard CD first quarter second or so of the opening note is missing
Doin' The Best I Can (take 13) - Creaking Chair/paper rustle/tape fault at the beginning
Don't - 30 #1 Hits squeaks during the first 12 seconds
Don't Cry Daddy - 2nd To None groaning at 1'13", 1'18" 2'33" and tape crackle at 2'38"
Down In the Alley - opening few beats are missing on From Nashville To Memphis
Fun In Acapulco - It Happened At The World’s Fair & Fun In Acapulco the song is faded out
Funny How Time Slips Away - Elvis Country 2000 reissue noise after yeah at 2'52" (not as clear on this release)
Got My Mojo Working - Elvis Country 2000 reissue comment from Elvis at 3'13", coughing at 1'50', gir's laughter in right channel at 3'05"
Have A Happy - Elvis Sings For kids, strange sound at 1'41"
Hound Dog - Pop on Elvis 30 No 1 Hits
How Great Thou Art - Peace In The Valley glitch at 2'56"?
I Believe In The Man In The Sky - pop on helP at 0'41" Peace In The Valley
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (take 4) Platinum glitch at 3'30"
It Ain’t No Big Thing - Love Letters From Elvis & Elvis Country 2000 reissue, bad guitar playing at 1'31" and 1'37"
It Feels So Right take 3 - about a minute in just after you thrill me so, "fucked up"
It's Midnight - Strange sound after about a minute
Little Sister - mispronounces “l'il”, sounds like "r'il" at 0'44"
Love Me Love The Life I Lead - Take 4 on the "I Sing All Kinds" cd features James Burton on his guitar ; on the "Fool" cd , James has been removed from the mix of that same take
Love Song Of The Year - Promised Land (2000) shout at 3'30"
Mean Woman Blues - talking in the background
Miracle Of The Rosary - Slight murmur right at the beginning
My Little Friend - U.S. Male CD 0'00" - 0'04" Backing singers can be heard
O Come, All You Faithful Take 2 - Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas FTD, around 1'46" comes in early on line, then coughs
Please Don’t Drag That String Around - Studio B 2’04” Squeaky guitar string?
Reach Out To Jesus - Peace In The Valley, 0'13" whisper in the intro
Rock-A-Hula Baby - extra "rock" by a Jordanaire 1'27"
Separate Ways - Always On My Mind 1985 issue 2’11” Poor guitar note
Snowbird - Elvis Country 2000 reissue 0’03” Glitch
Speedway - sounds like he sings sings Feedway at 1'22"
Susan When She Tried - Today FTD disc 2 track 5 2'13" backing singer sings wrong words
There Goes My Everything - Elvis Country 2000 reissue 1’07” Harmony comes in too early on “of my dreams”
This Is Our Dance - Love Letters From Elvis 0'21" Creaky chair
T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Walk A Mile In My Shoes 0'31", 1'53" audible sniffs after TROUBLE and after I-N-G, no audible sniffs on Yesterday Today
Way Down - Elvis' Golden Records Vol 5 (1997)/Moody Blue 1988) 2’36” Dog barking
Woman Without Love - Elvis Today metallic distortion present in the closing seconds
Stay Away - take 2 Stay Away Joe FTD 2'18" Laugfhter or talking after "Where The Eagles Fly" line
Kentucky Rain -Master T10 Clang after "I'll go walking through"
Five Sleepy Heads - Master T03 Paper rustling at the beginning
I'll Never Let You Go -Sun Sessions CD Master T01 First two notes of intro missing

[Bilbobaggins]

Over 20 years ago I started putting together a list of things to listen out for, which included most, if not all, mentioned above. It was called Things to Listen Out For and published on an Elvis website hosted by a guy called Narek (anyone remember him?).

These background sounds and errors always fascinated me. I've tried to update it occasionally. Here are some more.
Over the years people added to the list. These are not all masters, but still, fun to listen to.

A Thing Called Love - creaky chair in the intro
Are You Sincere opening on Raised On Rock FTD (take 4) - someone bumps into a mic?
Bossa Nova Baby at 2'04" - comment frpm Elvis?
Bringing It Back on Today FTD disc 1 track 15 take 1 - strange noise at 3'12"
Danny Boy - Moody Blue/Boulevard CD first quarter second or so of the opening note is missing
Doin' The Best I Can (take 13) - Creaking Chair/paper rustle/tape fault at the beginning
Don't - 30 #1 Hits squeaks during the first 12 seconds
Don't Cry Daddy - 2nd To None groaning at 1'13", 1'18" 2'33" and tape crackle at 2'38"
Down In the Alley - opening few beats are missing on From Nashville To Memphis
Fun In Acapulco - It Happened At The World’s Fair & Fun In Acapulco the song is faded out
Funny How Time Slips Away - Elvis Country 2000 reissue noise after yeah at 2'52" (not as clear on this release)
Got My Mojo Working - Elvis Country 2000 reissue comment from Elvis at 3'13", coughing at 1'50', gir's laughter in right channel at 3'05"
Have A Happy - Elvis Sings For kids, strange sound at 1'41"
Hound Dog - Pop on Elvis 30 No 1 Hits
How Great Thou Art - Peace In The Valley glitch at 2'56"?
I Believe In The Man In The Sky - pop on helP at 0'41" Peace In The Valley
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (take 4) Platinum glitch at 3'30"
It Ain’t No Big Thing - Love Letters From Elvis & Elvis Country 2000 reissue, bad guitar playing at 1'31" and 1'37"
It Feels So Right take 3 - about a minute in just after you thrill me so, "fucked up"
It's Midnight - Strange sound after about a minute
Little Sister - mispronounces “l'il”, sounds like "r'il" at 0'44"
Love Me Love The Life I Lead - Take 4 on the "I Sing All Kinds" cd features James Burton on his guitar ; on the "Fool" cd , James has been removed from the mix of that same take
Love Song Of The Year - Promised Land (2000) shout at 3'30"
Mean Woman Blues - talking in the background
Miracle Of The Rosary - Slight murmur right at the beginning
My Little Friend - U.S. Male CD 0'00" - 0'04" Backing singers can be heard
O Come, All You Faithful Take 2 - Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas FTD, around 1'46" comes in early on line, then coughs
Please Don’t Drag That String Around - Studio B 2’04” Squeaky guitar string?
Reach Out To Jesus - Peace In The Valley, 0'13" whisper in the intro
Rock-A-Hula Baby - extra "rock" by a Jordanaire 1'27"
Separate Ways - Always On My Mind 1985 issue 2’11” Poor guitar note
Snowbird - Elvis Country 2000 reissue 0’03” Glitch
Speedway - sounds like he sings sings Feedway at 1'22"
Susan When She Tried - Today FTD disc 2 track 5 2'13" backing singer sings wrong words
There Goes My Everything - Elvis Country 2000 reissue 1’07” Harmony comes in too early on “of my dreams”
This Is Our Dance - Love Letters From Elvis 0'21" Creaky chair
T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Walk A Mile In My Shoes 0'31", 1'53" audible sniffs after TROUBLE and after I-N-G, no audible sniffs on Yesterday Today
Way Down - Elvis' Golden Records Vol 5 (1997)/Moody Blue 1988) 2’36” Dog barking
Woman Without Love - Elvis Today metallic distortion present in the closing seconds
Stay Away - take 2 Stay Away Joe FTD 2'18" Laugfhter or talking after "Where The Eagles Fly" line
Kentucky Rain -Master T10 Clang after "I'll go walking through"
Five Sleepy Heads - Master T03 Paper rustling at the beginning
I'll Never Let You Go -Sun Sessions CD Master T01 First two notes of intro missing

Thank you John, for this list. It will be fun checking out some of the ones you mention.

But wich ones are masters as originally released? So not edited masters or so on later releases, or pressing faults on later releases, etc. The outtakes are obvious, of course. But as my OP was meant: what masters have imperfections?

[John]

Over 20 years ago I started putting together a list of things to listen out for, which included most, if not all, mentioned above. It was called Things to Listen Out For and published on an Elvis website hosted by a guy called Narek (anyone remember him?).

These background sounds and errors always fascinated me. I've tried to update it occasionally. Here are some more.
Over the years people added to the list. These are not all masters, but still, fun to listen to.

A Thing Called Love - creaky chair in the intro
Are You Sincere opening on Raised On Rock FTD (take 4) - someone bumps into a mic?
Bossa Nova Baby at 2'04" - comment frpm Elvis?
Bringing It Back on Today FTD disc 1 track 15 take 1 - strange noise at 3'12"
Danny Boy - Moody Blue/Boulevard CD first quarter second or so of the opening note is missing
Doin' The Best I Can (take 13) - Creaking Chair/paper rustle/tape fault at the beginning
Don't - 30 #1 Hits squeaks during the first 12 seconds
Don't Cry Daddy - 2nd To None groaning at 1'13", 1'18" 2'33" and tape crackle at 2'38"
Down In the Alley - opening few beats are missing on From Nashville To Memphis
Fun In Acapulco - It Happened At The World’s Fair & Fun In Acapulco the song is faded out
Funny How Time Slips Away - Elvis Country 2000 reissue noise after yeah at 2'52" (not as clear on this release)
Got My Mojo Working - Elvis Country 2000 reissue comment from Elvis at 3'13", coughing at 1'50', gir's laughter in right channel at 3'05"
Have A Happy - Elvis Sings For kids, strange sound at 1'41"
Hound Dog - Pop on Elvis 30 No 1 Hits
How Great Thou Art - Peace In The Valley glitch at 2'56"?
I Believe In The Man In The Sky - pop on helP at 0'41" Peace In The Valley
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (take 4) Platinum glitch at 3'30"
It Ain’t No Big Thing - Love Letters From Elvis & Elvis Country 2000 reissue, bad guitar playing at 1'31" and 1'37"
It Feels So Right take 3 - about a minute in just after you thrill me so, "fucked up"
It's Midnight - Strange sound after about a minute
Little Sister - mispronounces “l'il”, sounds like "r'il" at 0'44"
Love Me Love The Life I Lead - Take 4 on the "I Sing All Kinds" cd features James Burton on his guitar ; on the "Fool" cd , James has been removed from the mix of that same take
Love Song Of The Year - Promised Land (2000) shout at 3'30"
Mean Woman Blues - talking in the background
Miracle Of The Rosary - Slight murmur right at the beginning
My Little Friend - U.S. Male CD 0'00" - 0'04" Backing singers can be heard
O Come, All You Faithful Take 2 - Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas FTD, around 1'46" comes in early on line, then coughs
Please Don’t Drag That String Around - Studio B 2’04” Squeaky guitar string?
Reach Out To Jesus - Peace In The Valley, 0'13" whisper in the intro
Rock-A-Hula Baby - extra "rock" by a Jordanaire 1'27"
Separate Ways - Always On My Mind 1985 issue 2’11” Poor guitar note
Snowbird - Elvis Country 2000 reissue 0’03” Glitch
Speedway - sounds like he sings sings Feedway at 1'22"
Susan When She Tried - Today FTD disc 2 track 5 2'13" backing singer sings wrong words
There Goes My Everything - Elvis Country 2000 reissue 1’07” Harmony comes in too early on “of my dreams”
This Is Our Dance - Love Letters From Elvis 0'21" Creaky chair
T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Walk A Mile In My Shoes 0'31", 1'53" audible sniffs after TROUBLE and after I-N-G, no audible sniffs on Yesterday Today
Way Down - Elvis' Golden Records Vol 5 (1997)/Moody Blue 1988) 2’36” Dog barking
Woman Without Love - Elvis Today metallic distortion present in the closing seconds
Stay Away - take 2 Stay Away Joe FTD 2'18" Laugfhter or talking after "Where The Eagles Fly" line
Kentucky Rain -Master T10 Clang after "I'll go walking through"
Five Sleepy Heads - Master T03 Paper rustling at the beginning
I'll Never Let You Go -Sun Sessions CD Master T01 First two notes of intro missing

Thank you John, for this list. It will be fun checking out some of the ones you mention.

But wich ones are masters as originally released? So not edited masters or so on later releases, or pressing faults on later releases, etc. The outtakes are obvious, of course. But as my OP was meant: what masters have imperfections?

Understood. I thought I'd just chuck everything in that was on my list.

[dougkapp]

The backup singers can be heard talking during the last verse of Mary In The Morning.

Hello, at what point in the song can we hear that? In which phrase or minute, please.

[Bilbobaggins]

The backup singers can be heard talking during the last verse of Mary In The Morning.

Hello, at what point in the song can we hear that? In which phrase or minute, please.

@dougkapp : It can be heard around 3:48. During and shortly after the words "for a life time we will share"... in the right channel. You can hear them talking/whispering. It is not very loud, but it's audible, and annoying (at least to me, that is). It's such a beautiful performance!

[Philobeddo]

The backup singers can be heard talking during the last verse of Mary In The Morning.

Hello, at what point in the song can we hear that? In which phrase or minute, please.

@dougkapp : It can be heard around 3:48. During and shortly after the words "for a life time we will share"... in the right channel. You can hear them talking/whispering. It is not very loud, but it's audible, and annoying (at least to me, that is). It's such a beautiful performance!

Don't listen to the ondubbed master because it's not there, it's from the back up singers that was a later done session. The full overdubbed album version of TTWII. I heard it on the first cd version back the 90's. Later versions they tried to put it back in the mix.

[dougkapp]

Mary In The Morning - Thanks, everyone, for the tips. I managed to hear something on the FTD TTWII Classic Album. I think it really is someone talking or singing... but it's interesting. I had never noticed it before and had to listen to it several times on different sound systems.
Thank you!!

[KingElvis]

Mary In The Morning - Thanks, everyone, for the tips. I managed to hear something on the FTD TTWII Classic Album. I think it really is someone talking or singing... but it's interesting. I had never noticed it before and had to listen to it several times on different sound systems.
Thank you!!

IMO,its most noticable on the 70s 5CD box release from 1995 …and with headphones.

[NinaFromCanadaEh]

January 10, 1956

Elvis arrived at the RCA studio at McGavock Street. He worked from 2.00 to 10.00 p.m. and recorded his first sides for his new label.
Elvis was backed by his stage drummer, D.J. Fontana for the first time in the studio, in addition to Scotty Moore, Lead Guitar and Bill Black Bassist who were contracted to Elvis, along with RCA guitarist Chet Atkins, piano player Floyd Cramer, Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires and two members (Ben and Brock) of the Speer Family gospel group in an eight hour recording session.

RCA Studios – Nashville, Tennessee
January 10 1956 (Tuesday)
I Got A Woman G2WB 0208-08
Heartbreak Hotel G2WB 0209-07
Money Honey G2WB 0210-SP

But everyone agreed: they didn’t catch the sound Elvis wanted. There is too much echo effect and the sound is nothing like Sam Philips had created in the Sun studios. Elvis was very disappointed.

RCA even phones Sam Phillips who tells them to let Elvis produce the session and a little about how to place the microphones. For Heartbreak Hotel, the studio door is left open, the hallway creating the echo. The sound of a coke bottle being dispensed is included on the master take. Experimental sounds adding theatrical ambiance.


for more:
https://elvisinfonet.com/spotlight_hear ... hotel.html

[Bilbobaggins]

A couple of times, during Teddy Bear, it sounds like Elvis sings "let me vvvvbe... your teddy bear". Once I noticed it... I never managed to 'unhear' it. I suppose he did this to avoid so-called mikepops while singing the 'b' in the microphone. I don't know if some of you can hear it... but I do...

The same thing is heard on the master of 'Love Me Tender' where Elvis is singing "I'll vvvvbe yours through all the years" a couple of times.

[suave harv]

I've always thought there's a bum note from someone (possibly the bass?) at 1.04 during the master of In Your Arms. Something just sounds off there to me.

[katele18]

As has been pointed out Elvis sings vein instead of brain in the chorus of Inherit The Wind. Does anyone have the know how to fix this?

[Alexander72]

A major imperfection is the sound of frying saucages that can be heard all the way through the master of Tender Feeling.