Elvis' new album is out!
The Clarksdale Sessions is out and has been reviewed by a fan -
I'm enjoying it, but it's undeniably slight, sort of like getting half of a Rhino bonus disc. It also covers similar territory to the recent FUTURAMA SESSIONS, and I expect less obsessive fans to think both projects are the same thing.
It has a very rough and "live" sound throughout, which isn't surprising, since these are rehearsals and jams rather than finished tracks. Bits of studio chatter appear between songs.
It runs 26 minutes in all. Here's my attempt at a track-by-track breakdown:
The Monkey: The same version previously available in Japan and on the vinyl TDM. Ho hum.
Country Darkness: Not all that different from the album version, but with a rougher sound and more prominent guitar from EC (and none from John McFee). Davey's vocals are notably absent, although it sounds like he may be singing off-mike.
Needle Time: Played at roughly the tempo of the FUTURAMA SESSIONS version (which is to say slower than the album), but the overall effect is more relaxed thanks to the subtler guitar sound.
The Scarlet Tide: EC's voice accompanied by only piano (apparently played by EC) and low-in-the-mix accordion (Steve). This is nice, although EC ruins my favorite line in the song by singing "jokers who break everything" rather than "brokers..."
In Another Room : I think this is a really good song, so I'm a little disappointed to think this is going to be the official version. It could have been great with a little more studio polish. This sounds like the unfinished rehearsal that it is, and as a result it is merely pretty good.
Tipitina: This is not listed anywhere on the packaging, and I don't know if it should really be considered its own track. Elvis shouts the title of this Professor Longhair song, and the band launches into a 30-second instrumental which is certainly similar to "Tipitina," although it may not be quite close enough (or long enough) to require paying any royalties.
The Delivery Man: Like "Country Darkness," this is not all that different from the album version, but it's a bit heavier and more guitar-driven.
Dark End Of The Street: Begins with a bit of Steve playing this song on his own and being asked what song it is. It then cuts abruptly to a full-band performance with a nice vocal from EC. Unfortunately, it fades out while he's still singing the last verse.
( Submitted by And No Coffee Table)
I'm enjoying it, but it's undeniably slight, sort of like getting half of a Rhino bonus disc. It also covers similar territory to the recent FUTURAMA SESSIONS, and I expect less obsessive fans to think both projects are the same thing.
It has a very rough and "live" sound throughout, which isn't surprising, since these are rehearsals and jams rather than finished tracks. Bits of studio chatter appear between songs.
It runs 26 minutes in all. Here's my attempt at a track-by-track breakdown:
The Monkey: The same version previously available in Japan and on the vinyl TDM. Ho hum.
Country Darkness: Not all that different from the album version, but with a rougher sound and more prominent guitar from EC (and none from John McFee). Davey's vocals are notably absent, although it sounds like he may be singing off-mike.
Needle Time: Played at roughly the tempo of the FUTURAMA SESSIONS version (which is to say slower than the album), but the overall effect is more relaxed thanks to the subtler guitar sound.
The Scarlet Tide: EC's voice accompanied by only piano (apparently played by EC) and low-in-the-mix accordion (Steve). This is nice, although EC ruins my favorite line in the song by singing "jokers who break everything" rather than "brokers..."
In Another Room: I think this is a really good song, so I'm a little disappointed to think this is going to be the official version. It could have been great with a little more studio polish. This sounds like the unfinished rehearsal that it is, and as a result it is merely pretty good.
Tipitina: This is not listed anywhere on the packaging, and I don't know if it should really be considered its own track. Elvis shouts the title of this Professor Longhair song, and the band launches into a 30-second instrumental which is certainly similar to "Tipitina," although it may not be quite close enough (or long enough) to require paying any royalties.
The Delivery Man: Like "Country Darkness," this is not all that different from the album version, but it's a bit heavier and more guitar-driven.
Dark End Of The Street: Begins with a bit of Steve playing this song on his own and being asked what song it is. It then cuts abruptly to a full-band performance with a nice vocal from EC. Unfortunately, it fades out while he's still singing the last verse.