Elvis Presley ‘MEMPHIS’ Box Set: Full Album Tracklist & Details

RCA Records and Legacy Recordings present ‘MEMPHIS’, the definitive collection celebrating Elvis Presley’s deep connection to his hometown. This comprehensive set features over 111 tracks, tracing Elvis’s journey from his groundbreaking initial sessions at Sun Studio 70 years ago to his final poignant recordings in Graceland’s Jungle Room. ‘MEMPHIS’ showcases how the city served as both a home and a powerful muse, witnessing his artistic rebirth at American Sound in 1969, his navigation of personal challenges at Stax in 1973, and his triumphant live return to the Mid-South Coliseum in 1974. Produced by renowned Elvis authority Ernst Jørgensen, this collection offers fresh insights into the enduring bond between the King and Memphis, enriched by rare archival material and new liner notes from GRAMMY-winning music historian Robert Gordon. Essential for fans seeking the complete Elvis Presley Album Tracklist for this landmark release, ‘MEMPHIS’ is available in 5CD, 2LP, and digital formats.

Unveiling ‘MEMPHIS’: An Intimate Look at Elvis’s Hometown Recordings

A key feature of the ‘MEMPHIS’ collection, aside from the early Sun recordings, is the meticulous remixing work done by four-time GRAMMY winner Matt Ross-Spang at Southern Grooves in Memphis. Ross-Spang stripped away later overdubs, presenting the tracks as Elvis heard them live in the studio. This approach creates an unparalleled intimacy, revealing new dimensions in the recordings. Listeners can appreciate the intuitive chemistry between Elvis and ‘The Memphis Boys’ at American Sound, the subtle vocal phrasing interplay with his backing singers during the Stax sessions, and the palpable joy evident in his final Jungle Room recordings. The result places the listener right beside Elvis, experiencing the music with startling clarity and presence.

The significance of these newly mixed tracks and the story behind the ‘MEMPHIS’ box set were highlighted during a special Elvis Week listening session featuring Ernst Jørgensen, Robert Gordon, and Matt Ross-Spang, hosted by Tom Brown.

The Journey Through Memphis: Key Recording Eras

Elvis Presley’s musical evolution is intrinsically linked to Memphis, a journey meticulously documented across the ‘MEMPHIS’ set.

Sun Studio: The Birthplace of a Legend

The collection begins where it all started: Sun Studio. Located near Elvis’s teenage home, Sun was where he synthesized the vibrant sounds of Memphis – Beale Street blues, Dewey Phillips’ influential ‘Red, Hot & Blue’ radio show on WHBQ, and the powerful gospel music from Ellis Auditorium. This unique blend famously ignited the rock ‘n’ roll revolution, and the essential Sun masters capture that raw, transformative energy.

American Sound ’69: The Phenomenal Comeback

Nearly fifteen years later, Elvis returned to record in Memphis, now a global icon. Choosing American Sound Studio over Hollywood or Nashville, he collaborated with producer Chips Moman, seeking a grittier, more contemporary sound. These sessions produced career-defining hits like ‘In The Ghetto’ and ‘Suspicious Minds,’ marking a powerful artistic comeback with an earthier, more mature sound.

Stax ’73: Raw Emotion Amidst Turmoil

The 1973 sessions at Stax Records occurred during a challenging period in Elvis’s life. Grappling with personal issues, the recordings reflect the era’s turbulent energy. Tracks like ‘Promised Land’ radiate intensity, while selections such as Tony Joe White’s ‘For Ol’ Times Sake’ convey poignant loneliness. A return to Stax later that year found Elvis revitalized, delivering electrifying performances on songs like ‘I Got A Feeling In My Body’ and ‘Loving Arms.’

The Homecoming Concert ’74: Triumph at Mid-South Coliseum

Bringing his spectacular Las Vegas show home, Elvis performed at the Mid-South Coliseum in 1974, backed by a full orchestra and over 20 musicians. The setlist included tributes to rock ‘n’ roll pioneers and a GRAMMY-winning rendition of ‘How Great Thou Art.’ Addressing the crowd, Elvis acknowledged the city’s embrace, stating, “It’s always been said that a person cannot return to their hometown… But you have disproven that theory completely.”

Graceland ’76: The Final Sessions

Elvis’s final recording sessions took place at his Graceland home in 1976, using RCA’s mobile recording unit. Despite failing health, his passion remained undimmed. The stripped-down mixes from these Jungle Room sessions are particularly moving, highlighting his connection with backing vocalists on ‘Danny Boy’ (his father’s favorite) and his effortless groove on ‘For The Heart.’ These unadorned recordings reveal Elvis’s enduring quest for resonant sound and emotional depth.

Elvis Presley MEMPHIS 5CD box set from RCA Records and Legacy Recordings

Reflecting on his hometown after his army service, a young Elvis simply said he missed “Everything. I mean that—everything.” The ‘MEMPHIS’ collection powerfully illustrates how this sentiment echoed throughout his life and career, showcasing the city as a constant source of strength and inspiration.

Complete Elvis Presley ‘MEMPHIS’ Album Tracklist

Available across 5 CDs, digitally, and as a curated 2LP set, the ‘MEMPHIS’ collection provides the definitive chronicle of Elvis’s recordings in his beloved hometown. Below is the comprehensive Elvis Presley Album Tracklist for the 5-CD / Digital Edition:

DISC 1 – SUN SINGLE MASTERS

1. That’s All Right (45 rpm master) (1:59)
2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (45 rpm master) (2:07)
3. I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine (2:32)
4. Good Rockin’ Tonight (2:15)
5. Milkcow Blues Boogie (2:38)
6. You’re A Heartbreaker (2:12)
7. Baby Let’s Play House (2:19)
8. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (2:38)
9. I Forgot To Remember To Forget (2:31)
10. Mystery Train (2:30)

THE SUN RCA LP MASTERS

11. I Love You Because (RCA LP version) (2:45)
12. Just Because (2:34)
13. Tryin’ To Get To You (2:35
14. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) (2:27)
15. Blue Moon (2:43)
16. Harbor Lights (2:38)
17. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (slow version, aka My Baby’s Gone) (2:42)
18. When It Rains It Pours (2:06)
19. Tomorrow Night (3:01)
20. My Happiness (2:33)
21. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin (2:52)
22. I’ll Never Stand In Your Way (2:03)
23. It Wouldn’t Be The Same Without You (2:02)

DISC 2 – American ’69

1. In The Ghetto (2:46)
2. Suspicious Minds (3:26)
3. Don’t Cry Daddy (2:44)
4. Kentucky Rain (3:21)
5. Mama Liked The Roses (2:44)
6. Do You Know Who I Am? (3:06)
7. You’ll Think Of Me (4:00)
8. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (2:56)
9. Long Black Limousine (3:57)
10. After Loving You (3:12)
11. I’ll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) (4:32)
12. From A Jack To A King (2:25)
13. Without Love (There Is Nothing) (2:56)
14. It’s My Way / This Time / I Can’t Stop Loving You (studio jam) (3:59)
15. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’ (2:39)
16. I’m Movin’ On (2:50)
17. Power Of My Love (2:42)
18. Stranger In My Own Home Town (4:55)
19. Wearin’ That Loved On Look (2:55)
20. Any Day Now (2:59)
21. Only The Strong Survive (2:22)
22. Gentle On My Mind (3:37)
23. The Fair’s Moving On (3:09)
24. Hey Jude (4:14)

DISC 3 – Stax ’73

1. Promised Land (2:58)
2. Raised On Rock (2:58)
3. I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby (2:22)
4. If You Talk In Your Sleep (2:21)
5. My Boy (3:01)
6. Spanish Eyes (2:22)
7. Help Me (2:42)
8. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body (3:35)
9. It’s Midnight (3:22)
10. Find Out What’s Happening (2:40)
11. If You Don’t Come Back (2:52)
12. For Ol’ Times Sake (3:38)
13. Just A Little Bit (2:34)
14. Talk About The Good Times (2:54)
15. Loving Arms (2:52)
16. You Asked Me To (3:05)
17. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (4:28)
18. Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming (3:50)
19. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In) (3:10)
20. Take Good Care Of Her (2:52)
21. She Wears My Ring (3:25)
22. If That Isn’t Love (3:41)
23. Three Corn Patches (3:36)

DISC 4 – The Homecoming Concert

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra (1:15)
2. See See Rider (4:12)
3. I Got A Woman / Amen (4:52)
4. Love Me (1:50)
5. Trying To Get To You (2:08)
6. All Shook Up (1:01)
7. Steamroller Blues (2:52)
8. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel (2:03)
9. Love Me Tender (1:53)
10. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lot-ta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Mama Don’t Dance / Flip, Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog (3:33)
11. Fever (3:07)
12. Polk Salad Annie (3:32)
13. Why Me Lord (3:00)
14. How Great Thou Art (3:41)
15. Suspicious Minds (3:41)
16. Introductions (3:09)
17. Medley: Blueberry Hill / I Can’t Stop Loving You (3:05)
18. Help Me (2:52)
19. An American Trilogy (3:58)
20. Let Me Be There (3:35)
21. My Baby Left Me (2:23)
22. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (2:01)
23. Funny How Time Slips Away (2:45)
24. Can’t Help Falling In Love (1:38)
25. Closing Vamp (1:17)

DISC 5 – Graceland ’76

1. Hurt (2:07)
2. Never Again (2:50)
3. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (4:18)
4. Danny Boy (3:55)
5. The Last Farewell (4:02)
6. For The Heart (3:56)
7. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall (3:18)
8. Solitaire (4:41)
9. Love Coming Down (3:08)
10. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again (3:45)
11. Moody Blue (4:01)
12. She Thinks I Still Care (4:41)
13. Way Down (2:36)
14. He’ll Have To Go (4:35)
15. Pledging My Love (5:08)
16. It’s Easy For You (3:27)

Conclusion

The ‘MEMPHIS’ box set stands as a monumental tribute to Elvis Presley’s profound relationship with the city that shaped him. Spanning his entire career through the lens of his hometown recordings, from the explosive beginnings at Sun to the intimate final sessions at Graceland, this collection offers an unprecedented perspective. The newly stripped-down mixes provide a remarkable closeness to Elvis’s performances, enhancing the listening experience. More than just a compilation, ‘MEMPHIS’ reaffirms the deep, reciprocal bond between the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and his eternal home, making it an essential addition for any serious fan or music historian. Discover the definitive Memphis sound of Elvis Presley through this extraordinary release.