Roughly two weeks after his celebrated meeting with The Beatles, Elvis Presley made a pivotal decision: to record a gospel album. He felt an increasing dissatisfaction with the direction his career was heading and sought new avenues for creative expression, wanting the world to know ‘there’s more to me than a lot of people might think’. While reflecting on the album, four simple words come to mind that sum up this release: how great thou art. This new FTD Special Edition 2 CD set arguably surpasses all previous releases, primarily due to the superior sonic quality of the outtakes, not to mention the superb quality of the masters themselves. The detail captured in the harmony vocals on this release is unprecedented.
Anyone familiar with the FTD (Follow That Dream) Collectors Label Classic Album CD sets knows the high standard of presentation, second only to a vinyl LP. This particular album is widely recognized as a great work, and the FTD treatment elevates it further. The sound utilizes the very latest masters, and the inclusion of outtakes provides incredibly interesting and enjoyable listening. The “How Great Thou Art” album stands out as one of the superior releases in the extensive Elvis Presley catalogue. The production on the masters is crisp, and even on older vinyl copies, the vocals were crystal clear. The backing vocals provided by The Jordanaires and The Imperials are truly stellar throughout the album.
The album remains an essential acquisition for any admirer of gospel music, and especially for fans of Elvis Presley. Elvis demanded more from himself artistically and wished to demonstrate that he possessed significantly more depth as both an artist and a genuinely caring individual. Having relinquished creative control over his film projects and their accompanying soundtracks early in his career, Elvis turned to what he did best: singing. He was quoted as saying about this album, “millions of people around the world are going to hear this album. It’s not rock and roll, man; it’s God’s music, and it’s going to reach people in ways we can’t even imagine. I can’t be a channel if my ego is in the way. I have to empty myself so that the message can be heard loud and clear. And I’m not going to use my voice until I’m guided by that still, small voice within.” Elvis was brimming with creativity and became deeply involved in the album’s creation process, his artistic passion reigniting. He personally handpicked every song, a stark contrast to the often-redundant and cliché filler tracks found on his movie soundtracks. He dedicated months to meticulously reviewing countless selections from his personal collection of LPs, which he had carefully curated over the years. Immersing himself in the music in a way he hadn’t since he actively oversaw his recordings in the 1950s, he listened intently to hundreds of recordings by famed black gospel singers from the past, some on old, worn-out, scratchy 78 rpm records. Elvis’s vision and passion for this project culminated and were best expressed by the classic gospel song “How Great Thou Art,” which fittingly became the album’s title. For those interested in exploring the different songs included, resources detailing the elvis presley how great thou art songs are invaluable.
In the creation of this album, Colonel Parker and RCA Records took a backseat; Elvis was firmly in control. He placed significant reliance on Red West and Charlie Hodge, who played crucial roles in sifting through tons of demo tapes they received from Tom Disken, Colonel Parker’s assistant, and Freddy Bienstock of Hill & Range Music. They would forward songs they believed might pique Elvis’s interest and were instrumental in assisting Elvis in preparing for this significant upcoming album project in numerous ways.
The original “How Great Thou Art” album reached number 18 on the Billboard album charts. However, it demonstrated remarkable longevity in sales, ultimately surpassing every single one of his movie soundtracks in terms of sales figures, with the sole exception being the Blue Hawaii soundtrack.
The traditional hymn and title song, “How Great Thou Art”, proved to be a perfect vehicle for showcasing Elvis’s powerful voice. The track opens with a choir introduction before transitioning to Elvis’s voice accompanied solely by a piano for the majority of the song. If someone wants to experience 1960s Elvis at his vocal peak, the song how great thou art elvis presley is the ideal place to start. “In The Garden” continues the focus on Elvis’s vocals, supported by subtle backing from piano, bass, and strings. “Stand By Me” is a true classic, delivered with heartfelt sincerity in a smooth performance. “Somebody Bigger Than You and I” is a more elaborate production featuring a prominent organ, a full choir, plus strings, with Elvis’s voice soaring majestically above the mix. The song builds throughout, culminating in an emotionally powerful conclusion led by Elvis.
Back cover of the How Great Thou Art FTD Special Edition 2 CD set
Side two of the original LP offered a more up-tempo selection, featuring three faster-paced numbers. “So High,” “Where Could I Go But To The Lord,” and “If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side” are all delivered with a lively bounce by Elvis, providing a dynamic counterpoint to the serious and inspirational tone of the first side. The album concludes with the 1965 hit single “Crying In The Chapel.” While not strictly a gospel song by all definitions, its spiritual theme made it a fitting addition to this album. It was recorded in 1960 but was not included on the His Hand In Mine album at the time. Released as a standalone single five years later, it soared to number three on the charts. Elvis strips this old standard down to its essentials and provides a uniquely moving interpretation. As a public declaration of his deepening spiritual life, the “How Great Thou Art” album eventually earned Elvis the first of his three career Grammy Awards.
Front cover of the booklet included with the How Great Thou Art FTD set
This FTD Special Edition 2 CD set is a testament to Elvis’s passion for gospel music and his desire to be recognized as a serious artist beyond his commercial successes. The enhanced sound quality of the masters and the inclusion of numerous outtakes provide fans with an intimate look into the creation of this Grammy-winning album. It reinforces the fact that for Elvis, gospel music was not just a genre to record, but a deeply personal expression of his faith and artistic aspirations. For collectors and casual listeners alike, this edition offers the definitive way to experience this important chapter in Elvis Presley’s musical legacy.
Front view of the Elvis Presley ‘How Great Thou Art’ FTD CD case
How Great Thou Art : The Tracklisting
Disc 1
Original Album Side 1
01 How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine)
02 In The Garden (Charles A. Miles)
03 Somebody Bigger Than You And I (John Lange/Hy Heath/Sonny Burke)
04 Farther Along (Arranged by Elvis Presley)
05 Stand By Me (Arranged by Elvis Presley)
06 Without Him (Mylon LeFevre)
Original Album Side 2
07 So High (Arranged by Elvis Presley)
08 Where Could I Go But To The Lord (James B. Coats)
09 By And By (Arranged by Elvis Presley)
10 If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side (Henry Slaughter)
11 Run On (Arranged by Elvis Presley)
12 Where No One Stands Alone (Mosie Lister)
13 Crying In The Chapel (Artie Glenn)
Bonus Songs
14 You’ll Never Walk Alone (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein)
15 We Call On Him (Fred Karger/Ben Weisman/Sid Wayne)
16 If Everyday Was Like Christmas (Red West)
First Takes
17 How Great Thou Art – takes 1 & 2
18 Somebody Bigger Than You And I – takes 1,3,11
19 Stand By Me – takes 1 & 2
20 Without Him – take 1
21 So High – take 1
22 By And By – take 4
23 If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side – take 1
24 Run On – takes 1 & 2
25 Where No One Stands Alone – takes 1 & 4 spliced
26 You’ll Never Walk Alone – take 1
27 We Call On Him – takes 1 & 2
Disc 2
May 1966 Sessions
01 Run On – takes 3-6
02 Stand By Me – takes 5-7
03 Stand By Me – takes 9 & 10
04 Where No One Stands Alone – takes 2, 3 & wp 1
05 Where No One Stands Alone – wp takes 2, 3 & 5
06 So High – takes 2 & 3
07 Farther Along – takes 1& 2
08 By And By – takes1, 2, 3, 4 (fs), 5 & 7
09 By And By – takes 8 & 9
10 In The Garden – takes 1-3
11 Somebody Bigger Than You And I – take 12
12 Somebody Bigger Than You And I – takes14 (fs), 15 & wp 5
13 Without Him – takes 4 & 8
14 Without Him – takes 11, 13 & 14
15 If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side – takes 2-4
16 If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side – take 6
June 1966 Sessions
17 If Every Day Was Like Christmas – takes 1 & 2 (undubbed master)
September 1967 Sessions
18 We Call On Him – takes 4 & 5
19 We Call On Him – take 7
20 We Call On Him – take 8
21 You’ll Never Walk Alone – take 2
22 You’ll Never Walk Alone – takes 3, 4, 6 & 8
Wp = work parts
Fs = false start
The How Great Thou Art Sessions
May 25, 1966 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee
Run On TPA4 0908-07
How Great Thou Art TPA4 0909-04
May 26, 1966 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee
Stand By Me TPA4 0910-11
Where No One Stands Alone ____-04
Down In The Alley TPA4 0912-09
Tomorrow Is A Long Time TPA4 0913-03
Love Letters TPA4 0914-09
May 27, 1966 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee
So High TPA4 0915-04
Farther Along TPA4 0916-03
By And By TPA4 0917-10
In The Garden TPA4 0918-03
Beyond The Reef TPA4 0919-02
Somebody Bigger Than You And I ____-16
Without Him TPA4 0921-12
May 28, 1966 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee
If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side TPA4 0922-05
Where Could I Go But To The Lord? TPA4 0923-02
Come What May TPA4 0924-08
Fools Fall In Love TPA4 0925-05
June 10, 1966 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee
Indescribably Blue (Track) -NA
I’ll Remember You (Track) -NA
If Every Day Was Like Christmas (Track) ____-NA
June 12, 1966 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tennessee
Indescribably Blue (Vocal Overdub) TPA4 0982-02
I’ll Remember You (Vocal Overdub) TPA4 0983-SP
If Every Day Was Like Christmas (Vocal Overdub) MWA5 9102-02
June 14, 1966 MGM Sound Stage – Hollywood, California
All That I Am (Overdub) ____-NA
June 20, 1966 RCA Studio B – Nashville, Tessessee
If Every Day Was Like Christmas (Celeste Overdub) TPA4 0984
Disc 1 tracks 1-12 and 17-24 & disc 2 tracks 1-16 recorded May 25-27, 1966 at RCA’s Studio B, Nashville.
Guitar: Scotty Moore, Chip Young; Bass: Bob Moore; Bass & Harmonica & Guitar: Charlie McCoy; Drums: D. J. Fontana; Drums & Tympani: Buddy Harman; Piano: Floyd Cramer; Piano & Organ: Henry Slaughter, David Briggs; Steel Guitar: Pete Drake; Sax: Rufus Long, Boots Randolph; Vocals: Millie Kirkham, June Page, Dolores Edgin, The Imperials, The Jordanaires
Disc 1 track 13 recorded October 30, 1960 at RCA’s Studio B, Nashville.
Guitar: Hank Garland, Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley; Bass: Bob Moore; Drums: Buddy Harman, D. J. Fontana; Piano: Floyd Cramer; Vocals: Millie Kirkham, The Jordanaires
Disc 1 track 14 & disc 2 track 17 recorded June 10, 1966 at RCA’s Studio B, Nashville. Elvis’ vocals recorded June 12, 1966 at RCA’s Studio B, Nashville.
Guitar: Harold Bradley, Scotty Moore, Chip Young; Bass: Bob Moore; Drums: D:J. Fontana; Drums & Tympani: Buddy Harman; Piano: David Briggs; Organ: Henry Slaughter; Steel Guitar: Pete Drake; Vocals: Millie Kirkham, June Page, Dolores Edgin, The Jordanaires, The Imperials
Disc 1 tracks 14-15 & disc 2 tracks 18-22 recorded September 11, 1967 at RCA’s Studio B, Nashville.
Guitar: Harold Bradley, Scotty Moore, Chip Young; Bass: Bob Moore; Drums: D.J. Fontana, Buddy Harman; Piano: Floyd Cramer, Elvis Presley on ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’; Organ & Harmonica & Guitar: Charlie McCoy; Steel Guitar: Pete Drake; Vocals: Millie Kirkham, The Jordanaires
Compilation produced and Art directed by Ernst Mikael Jorgensen & Roger Semon
Mastered by Sebastian Jeansson
Original A&R: Felton Jarvis, Steve Sholes (disc 1 track 13)
Original engineers: Jim Malloy, Bill Porter (disc 1 track 13), Al Pachucki (September 1967)
