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33+ Works 3,952 Members 33 Reviews 8 Favorited

About the Author

Peter Guralnick's books include the prizewinning two-volume biography of Elvis Presley. Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love: Sweet Soul Music; Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke; and Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll. He won a Grammy for his liner notes for Sam Cooke Live at show more the harlem Square Club, wrote and coproduced the documentary Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll, and wrote the scripts for the Grammy-winning documentary Sam Cooke/Legend and Martin Scorsese's blues documentary Feel Like Going Home. show less

Series

Works by Peter Guralnick

Nighthawk Blues: A Novel (1980) 34 copies

Associated Works

Tagged

1950s (13) 1960s (13) 20th century (18) America (10) American history (16) American music (12) biography (520) biography-memoir (12) blues (159) blues music (15) books (16) country (16) Elvis (121) Elvis Presley (117) entertainment (10) first edition (15) history (88) jazz (10) Memphis (41) music (737) music biography (34) music history (31) musicians (21) non-fiction (217) Peter Guralnick (15) pop culture (34) popular music (10) R&B (20) read (28) Rhythm and Blues (13) rock (58) rock and roll (90) rock music (34) Sam Cooke (16) soul (35) soul music (27) Sun Records (11) Tennessee (10) to-read (202) USA (43)

Common Knowledge

Birthdate
1943-12-15
Gender
male
Nationality
USA
Birthplace
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Places of residence
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Education
Boston University
Occupations
music historian
biographer
music critic
Organizations
Crawdaddy
Awards and honors
Blues Hall of Fame (2010)

Members

Reviews

 
Flagged
PeteGreen | 1 other review | Mar 13, 2024 |
Disc one
Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. My Happiness* Betty Peterson Blasco and Borney Bergantine 2:31 1953-07-18 1990 2227-2 Elvis: The Great Performances
2. That's All Right Arthur Crudup 1:55 1954-07-05 1954-07-19 Sun 209 For LP Fans Only
3. I Love You Because Leon Payne 2:42 1954-07-05 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
4. Harbor Lights Jimmy Kennedy and Hugh Williams 2:35 1954-07-05 1976-01-08 CPL1 1349 Elvis: A Legendary Performer
Vol. 2 #46
5. Blue Moon of Kentucky Bill Monroe 2:02 1954-07-05 1954-07-19 Sun 209b A Date with Elvis
6. Blue Moon Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 2:31 1954-08-19 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
7. Tomorrow Night+ Sam Coslow and Hugh Williams 2:58 1954-09-10 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone #10
8. I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin') Jimmy Wakely 2:24 1954-09-10 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
9. I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine Mack David 2:27 1954-09-10 1955-03-05 Sun 210b
10. Just Because Sydney Robin, Bob Shelton, Joe Shelton 2:32 1954-09-10 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
11. Good Rockin' Tonight Roy Brown 2:12 1954-09-10 1954-09-25 Sun 210
12. Milkcow Blues Boogie Kokomo Arnold 2:38 1954-11-12 1954-12-28 Sun 215
13. You're a Heartbreaker Jack Sallee 2:12 1954-11-12 1954-12-28 Sun 215b #74
14. Baby Let's Play House Arthur Gunter 2:15 1955-02-05 1955-04-10 Sun 217 C&W #5
15. I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone Stan Kesler and William Taylor 2:36 1955-03-05 1955-04-10 Sun 217b
16. Mystery Train Herman Parker Jr. and Sam Phillips 2:24 1955-07-11 1955-08-06 Sun 223
17. I Forgot to Remember to Forget Stan Kesler and Charlie Feathers 2:28 1955-07-11 1955-08-06 Sun 223b C&W #1
18. Tryin' to Get to You Rose Marie McCoy and Charles Singleton 2:31 1955-07-11 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
19. When It Rains It Really Pours William Emerson 2:01 1955-11-20 1983 6414-2 Elvis: A Legendary Performer Vol. 4
20. I Got a Woman Ray Charles and Renald Richard 2:23 1956-01-10 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
21. Heartbreak Hotel Mae Axton, Tommy Durden, Elvis Presley 2:08 1956-01-10 1956-01-27 47-6420 #1
22. Money Honey Jesse Stone 2:34 1956-01-10 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
23. I'm Counting on You Don Robertson 2:24 1956-01-11 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
24. I Was the One Aaron Schroeder, Claude DeMetrius, Hal Blair, Bill Peppers 2:33 1956-01-11 1956-01-27 47-6420b #19
25. Blue Suede Shoes Carl Perkins 1:58 1956-01-30 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
26. My Baby Left Me Arthur Crudup 2:11 1956-01-30 1956-05-04 47-6540b #31
27. One-Sided Love Affair Bill Campbell 2:09 1956-01-30 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
28. So Glad You're Mine Arthur Crudup 2:20 1956-01-30 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
29. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) Howard Biggs and Joe Thomas 2:01 1956-01-31 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
30. Tutti Frutti Dorothy LaBostrie and Richard Penniman 1:58 1956-01-31 1956-03-23 LPM 1254 Elvis Presley #1
+ overdubs added prior to release on LSP 3450

Disc two
Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP/EP Issue Chart Peak
1. Lawdy Miss Clawdy Lloyd Price 2:08 1956-02-03 1956-08-31 47-6642b
2. Shake, Rattle & Roll Charles E. Calhoun 2:37 1956-02-03 1956-08-31 47-6642
3. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You Lou Kosloff and George Mysels 2:40 1956-04-14 1956-05-04 47-6540 #1
4. Hound Dog Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:16 1956-07-02 1956-07-13 47-6604b The Real Elvis #1
5. Don't Be Cruel Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley 2:02 1956-07-02 1956-07-13 47-6604 The Real Elvis #1
6. Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be) Cliff Owens and Aaron Schroeder 2:13 1956-07-02 1956-09-28 47-6643b #20
7. We're Gonna Move Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:30 1956-08-24 1956-11 EPA 4006 Love Me Tender #22
8. Love Me Tender Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:41 1956-08-24 1956-09-28 47-6643 #1
9. Poor Boy Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:13 1956-08-24 1956-11 EPA 4006 Love Me Tender #22
10. Let Me Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:08 1956-08-24 1956-11 EPA 4006 Love Me Tender #22
11. Playing for Keeps Stan Kesler 2:50 1956-09-01 1957-01-04 47-6800b #21
12. Love Me Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:43 1956-09-01 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
13. Paralyzed Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley 2:23 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
14. How Do You Think I Feel Webb Pierce and Wiley Walker 2:10 1956-09-01 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
15. How's the World Treating You? Chet Atkins and Boudleaux Bryant 2:23 1956-09-01 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
16. When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again Gene Sullivan and Wiley Walker 2:20 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
17. Long Tall Sally Robert Blackwell, Enotris Johnson, Richard Penniman 1:51 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
18. Old Shep Red Foley and Arthur Williams 4:10 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
19. Too Much Lee Rosenberg and Bernard Weinman 2:31 1956-09-02 1957-01-04 47-6800 #1
20. Anyplace Is Paradise Joe Thomas 2:26 1956-09-02 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
21. Ready Teddy Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco 1:56 1956-09-03 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
22. First in Line Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman 3:22 1956-09-03 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
23. Rip It Up Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco 1:53 1956-09-03 1956-10-19 LPM 1382 Elvis #1
24. I Believe Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl, Al Stillman 2:05 1957-01-12 1957-04 EPA 4054 Peace in the Valley #3
25. Tell Me Why Titus Turner 2:05 1957-01-12 1965-12-03 47-8740 #33
26. Got a Lot o' Livin' to Do Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman 2:31 1957-01-12 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You #1
27. All Shook Up Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley 1:56 1957-01-12 1957-03-22 47-6870 #1
28. Mean Woman Blues Claude DeMetrius 2:15 1957-01-13 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You #1
29. (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me) Thomas A. Dorsey 3:22 1957-01-13 1957-04 EPA 4054 Peace in the Valley #3
Disc three
Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP/EP Issue Chart Peak
1. That's When Your Heartaches Begin Fred Fisher, Billy Hill, William Raskin 3:20 1957-01-13 1957-03-22 47-6870b #58
2. Take My Hand, Precious Lord Thomas A. Dorsey 3:16 1957-01-13 1957-04 EPA 4054 Peace in the Valley #3
3. It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) Stuart Hamblen 3:53 1957-01-19 1957-04 EPA 4054 Peace in the Valley #3
4. Blueberry Hill Vincent Rose, Al Lewis, Larry Stock 2:39 1957-01-19 1957-04 EPA 4041 Just For You #16
5. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Scotty Greene Wiseman 2:31 1957-01-19 1957-04 EPA 4041 Just For You #16
6. Is It So Strange Faron Young 2:28 1957-01-19 1957-04 EPA 4041 Just For You #16
7. Party Jessie Mae Robinson 1:26 1957-01 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You #1
8. Lonesome Cowboy Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett 3:07 1957-01-15 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You #1
9. Hot Dog Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 1:17 1957-01-18 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You #1
10. One Night of Sin Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, Anita Steiman 2:35 1957-01-24 1983 CPL1 4848 Elvis: A Legendary Performer Vol. 4
11. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe 1:45 1957-01-24 1957-06-11 47-7000 Loving You #1
12. Don't Leave Me Now Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman 1:58 1957-02-23 1957-07-01 Loving You #1
13. I Beg of You Rose Marie McCoy and Kelly Owens 1:50 1957-02-23 1958-01-07 47-7150b #8
14. One Night Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, Anita Steiman 2:29 1957-02-23 1958-10-21 47-7410 #4
15. True Love Cole Porter 2:05 1957-02-23 1957-07-01 LPM 1515 Loving You #1
16. I Need You So Ivory Joe Hunter 2:37 1957-02-23 1957-04 EPA 4041 Just For You #16
17. Loving You Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:12 1957-02-24 1957-06-11 47-7000b #20
18. When It Rains It Really Pours William Emerson 1:47 1957-02-24 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone #10
19. Jailhouse Rock Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:26 1957-04-30 1957-09-24 47-7035 #1
20. Young and Beautiful Aaron Schroeder and Abner Silver 2:02 1957-04-30 1957-10 EPA 4114 Jailhouse Rock #1
21. I Want to Be Free Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:12 1957-04-30 1957-10 EPA 4114 Jailhouse Rock #1
22. (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 1:51 1957-04-30 1957-10 EPA 4114 Jailhouse Rock #1
23. Don't Leave Me Now Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman 2:05 1957-04-30 1957-10 EPA 4114 Jailhouse Rock #1
24. Blue Christmas Bill Hayes and Jay Johnson 2:07 1957-09-05 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album #1
25. White Christmas Irving Berlin 2:23 1957-09-06 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album #1
26. Here Comes Santa Claus Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman 1:54 1957-09-06 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album #1
27. Silent Night Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber 2:23 1957-09-06 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album #1
28. O Little Town of Bethlehem Phillips Brooks and Lewis H. Redner 2:35 1957-09-07 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album #1
29. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) Aaron Schroeder and Claude Demetrius 1:54 1957-09-07 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album #1
30. Santa Claus Is Back In Town Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:22 1957-09-07 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album #1
31. I'll Be Home for Christmas Buck Ram, Kim Gannon, Walter Kent 1:53 1957-09-07 1957-10-15 LOC 1035 Elvis' Christmas Album #1
Disc four
Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP/EP Issue Chart Peak
1. Treat Me Nice Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:10 1957-09-05 1957-09-24 47-7035b #18
2. My Wish Came True Ivory Joe Hunter 2:33 1957-09-06 1959-06-23 47-7600b #12
3. Don't Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:48 1957-09-06 1958-01-07 47-7150 #1
4. Danny Fred Wise and Ben Weisman 1:51 1958-02-11 1978-12 CP1 3082 Elvis: A Legendary Performer Vol. 3 #113
5. Hard Headed Woman Claude DeMetrius 1:53 1958-01-15 1958-06-10 47-7280 #1
6. Trouble Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:16 1958-01-15 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
7. New Orleans Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett 1:58 1958-01-15 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
8. Crawfish Fred Wise and Ben Weisman 1:38 1958-01-15 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
9. Dixieland Rock Aaron Schroeder and Rachel Frank 1:46 1958-01-16 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
10. Lover Doll Sid Wayne and Abner Silver 2:09 1958-01-16 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
11. Don't Ask Me Why Fred Wise and Ben Weisman 2:06 1958-01-16 1958-06-10 47-7280b #25
12. As Long As I Have You Fred Wise and Ben Weisman 1:50 1958-01-16 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
13. King Creole Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:08 1958-01-23 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
14. Young Dreams Aaron Schroeder and Martin Kalmanoff 2:23 1958-01-23 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
15. Steadfast, Loyal And True Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 1:15 1958-02-11 1958-09-19 LPM 1884 King Creole #2
16. Doncha' Think It's Time Luther Dixon and Clyde Otis 1:54 1958-02-01 1958-04-01 47-7240b #15
17. Your Cheatin' Heart Hank Williams 2:24 1958-02-01 1965-08-10 LSP 3450 Elvis for Everyone #10
18. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck Bert Carroll and Russell Moody 2:13 1958-02-01 1958-04-01 47-7240 #2
19. I Need Your Love Tonight Bix Reichner and Sid Wayne 2:04 1958-06-10 1959-03-10 47-7506b #4
20. A Big Hunk O' Love Aaron Schroeder and Sidney Wyche 2:12 1958-06-10 1959-06-23 47-7600 #1
21. Ain't That Loving You Baby Ivory Joe Hunter and Clyde Otis 2:22 1958-06-10 1964-09-22 47-8440 #16
22. (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I Bill Trader 2:36 1958-06-10 1959-03-10 47-7506 #2
23. I Got Stung David Hill and Aaron Schroeder 1:49 1958-06-11 1958-10-21 47-7410 #8
24. Expanded Interview Segment 12:34 1958-09-22 1958-12 EPA 4325 Elvis Sails #2
Disc five: Rare and Rockin'
Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original LP Issue Chart Peak
1. That's When Your Heartaches Begin* Fred Fisher, Billy Hill, William Raskin 3:20 1953-07-18 previously unreleased
2. Fool, Fool, Fool* Nugetre 1:51 1955-01-06 previously unreleased
3. Tweedle Dee* (live) Winfield Scott and LaVern Baker 2:07 1955-04-30 1984-03 RCA 89387 Elvis: The First Live Recordings #163
4. Maybellene* (live) Chuck Berry 1:58 1955-08-20 1984-03 RCA 89387 Elvis: The First Live Recordings #163
5. Shake, Rattle & Roll* Charles E. Calhoun 2:16 1955-01-06 previously unreleased
6. Blue Moon of Kentucky (alternate) Bill Monroe 1:03 1954-07-05 1987 RCA 6414-2 The Complete Sun Sessions
7. Blue Moon (alternate) Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 2:55 1954-08-19 previously unreleased
8. I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (slow version) Stan Kesler and William Taylor 2:40 1955-03-05 1987 RCA 6414-2 The Complete Sun Sessions
9. Reconsider Baby Lowell Fulsom 2:53 1956-12-04 previously unreleased
10. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (alternate) Lloyd Price 2:07 1956-02-03 previously unreleased
11. Shake, Rattle & Roll (alternate) Charles E. Calhoun 2:25 1956-02-03 previously unreleased
12. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (alternate) Maurice Mysels, Ira Kosloff and Tom Hamilton 2:40 1956-04-14 previously unreleased
13. Heartbreak Hotel* (live) Mae Axton, Tommy Durden, Elvis Presley 2:54 1956-05-06 1980-08 CP8 3699 Elvis Aron Presley #27
14. Long Tall Sally* (live) Robert Blackwell, Enotris Johnson, Richard Penniman 2:15 1956-05-06 1980-08 CP8 3699 Elvis Aron Presley #27
15. Blue Suede Shoes* (live) Carl Perkins 4:59 1956-05-06 1980-08 CP8 3699 Elvis Aron Presley #27
16. Money Honey* (live) Jesse Stone 2:34 1956-05-06 1980-08 CP8 3699 Elvis Aron Presley #27
17. We're Gonna Move (alternate) Vera Matson and Elvis Presley 2:30 1956-08-24 previously unreleased
18. Old Shep (alternate) Red Foley 3:53 1956-09-02 previously unreleased
19. I Beg of You (alternate) Rosemarie McCoy and Kelly Owens 1:51 1957-01-13 previously unreleased
20. Loving You (slow version) Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 1:48 1957-02-14 previously unreleased
21. Loving You (uptempo version) Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 1:24 1957-02-14 previously unreleased
22. Young And Beautiful (alternate) Aaron Schroeder and Abner Silver 1:09 1957-04-30 previously unreleased
23. I Want to Be Free (alternate) Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:06 1957-04-30 previously unreleased
24. King Creole (alternate) Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 2:04 1958-01-15 1991-01 2229-2-R Essential Elvis Vol. 3
25. As Long as I Have You (alternate) Fred Wise and Ben Weisman 1:24 1958-01-16 1991-01 2229-2-R Essential Elvis Vol. 3
26. Ain't That Loving You Baby (fast version) Ivory Joe Hunter and Clyde Otis 1:48 1958-06-10 1991-01 2229-2-R Essential Elvis Vol. 3
Personnel
Elvis Presley – vocal, guitar, piano, percussion, bass guitar (on (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care)
Scotty Moore – lead guitar except "My Happiness", "We're Gonna Move", "Love Me Tender", "Poor Boy", "Let Me", "That's When Your Heartaches Begin", "I Need Your Love Tonight", "A Big Hunk O' Love", "Ain't That Loving You Baby", "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I", "I Got Stung", and "Ain't That Loving You Baby (Fast Version)"
Chet Atkins – acoustic rhythm guitar
Hank Garland – lead guitar on "I Need Your Love Tonight", "A Big Hunk O' Love", "Ain't That Loving You Baby", "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I", "I Got Stung", and "Ain't That Loving You Baby (Fast Version)"
Tiny Timbrell – acoustic rhythm guitar, possible acoustic rhythm/lead guitar on "Steadfast, Loyal, and True"
Floyd Cramer – piano
Shorty Long – piano
Dudley Brooks – piano
Mike Stoller – piano
Marvin Hughes – piano
Bill Black – double bass except "My Happiness", "We're Gonna Move", "Love Me Tender", "Poor Boy", "Let Me", "That's When Your Heartaches Begin", "I Need Your Love Tonight", "A Big Hunk O' Love", "Ain't That Loving You Baby", "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I", "I Got Stung", and "Ain't That Loving You Baby (Fast Version)"
Bob Moore – double bass on "I Need Your Love Tonight", "A Big Hunk O' Love", "Ain't That Loving You Baby", "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I", "I Got Stung", and "Ain't That Loving You Baby (Fast Version)"
D.J. Fontana – drums
Jimmie Lott – drums on "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone"
Johnny Bernero – drums on "Tryin' to Get to You"
Millie Kirkham – backing vocals
Ben Speer, Brock Speer – backing vocals on "I'm Counting On You", "I Was the One", and "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You"
The Jordanaires

Gordon Stoker – piano, backing vocals
Hoyt Hawkins – backing vocals, organ
Neal Matthews – backing vocals, bass, guitar
Hugh Jarrett – backing vocals
Ray Walker – backing vocals
Love Me Tender Sessions

Vito Mumolo – guitar on "Love Me Tender", "Poor Boy", "We're Gonna Move", and "Let Me"
Myer Rubin – double bass on "Love Me Tender", "Poor Boy", "We're Gonna Move", and "Let Me"
Richard Cornell – drums on "Love Me Tender", "Poor Boy", "We're Gonna Move", and "Let Me"
Luther "Red" Roundtree – banjo on "Love Me Tender", "Poor Boy", "We're Gonna Move", and Let Me"
Dominic Frontieri – accordion on "Love Me Tender", "Poor Boy", "We're Gonna Move", and "Let Me"
Ken Darby Trio – backing vocals on "Love Me Tender", "Poor Boy", "We're Gonna Move", and "Let Me"
Million Dollar Quartet

Carl Perkins – lead guitar and vocals on "Reconsider Baby"
Jerry Lee Lewis – piano on "Reconsider Baby"
Clayton Perkins – bass on "Reconsider Baby"
W.S. Holland – drums on "Reconsider Baby"
Johnny Cash – possible vocals on "Reconsider Baby"
Charts
… (more)
 
Flagged
carptrash | Feb 28, 2024 |
I picked this one up at a Free Little Library because of the author Peter Guralnick. It sat on the shelf for a while due to its length and heft. And I wasn't sure I wanted to get into the life of a man, from television interviews, seemed an insufferable blowhard. I decided to tackle it after hearing a Keith Richards interview with Marc Maron. Although the book didn't change my impression of the man, it made me realize the contribution, over incredible obstacles, to American music.

Thanks Keith.… (more)
 
Flagged
harryo19 | 3 other reviews | May 16, 2022 |
Peter Guralnick tells an epic tale on an epic scale. One might ask whether the life of a man who owned the studio an eighteen-year-old happened to walk into to record a song for his mother is worth covering in over 700 pages. The answer is an unequivocal yes.
The music Sam Phillips captured is enough reason for this. Phillips is so famous for being the first to record Elvis, followed in quick succession by Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and then, a little later, Jerry Lee Lewis, that one forgets how much great, path-breaking music he had recorded before that. There was “Rocket 88” with Ike Turner’s group, with Jackie Brenston on vocals—often called the first rock & roll record—but also the first sessions with Howlin’ Wolf, B. B. King, and others.
Fortuitously, Phillips was a meticulous sound engineer. Many timeless monuments of early rock and blues were cut in less-than-ideal circumstances, but Phillips captured these seminal tracks in a self-designed state-of-the-art room. Yet Guralnick makes it clear that for Sam, it was always about more than music. From childhood in rural Alabama, close to Muscle Shoals, he heard in the music of those around him, black and white, a shared human spirituality. Racial segregation made no sense to him, and for him, the cross-over appeal of his tracks was a weapon in overcoming it.
For years, he was reticent about articulating his agenda, but both the teens who bought his records and disapproving adults understood. When the pushback came, in the late fifties, the hot-button issues were the payola scandal (the revelation that chronically underpaid disc jockeys raised themselves to a living wage through the largesse of promoters) and the irregular private life of the enormously talented and arrogant Jerry Lee Lewis. The underlying worry, however, was desegregation. Also, the major record companies, slow to catch on (and cash in) on the new trend were jealous of every dollar that went to Sun Records and other independent labels such as Chess and Atlantic rather than to them.
Guralnick tells the tale well, casting it as one of dazzling success and back-breaking setbacks. There is a bit of irony, as well. After Phillips reluctantly sold his contract with Elvis to RCA, knowing that he had no chance to keep him in the long run anyway, he still had a stable full of talent. But Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison all felt neglected because of the attention Sam lavished on the one he felt most talented of all, Jerry Lee Lewis. They deserted him just before Jerry Lee’s personal life became public and his record sales dropped to nothing. It’s not always the prospectors who first find gold who get rich in the ensuing rush.
In a lengthy final chapter, the author details how he came to play Boswell to Sam’s Johnson. It’s an unusual feature, but I felt it worked. There are a few other idiosyncrasies in Guralnick’s style, however, such as the choice of the preposition “on” as in “to cut a record on [Artist’s Name].” Perhaps he picked that up from Phillips himself, but it was new to me. Another quirk is to write a sentence with a qualifier and then in parentheses take back the qualifier. Example: “almost painful (forget almost).” Even in a book of this length, one such sentence would have been enough. He also uses the verb “individuate” more than any other writer I’ve come across.
These are minor quibbles, though. My friends consider me very knowledgeable about this music, but there was much in the book new to me, such as the in-studio argument during the sessions to record “Great Balls of Fire” between Sam and Jerry Lee about whether God would send the singer to hell for blasphemy. Jerry Lee argued the affirmative, which may account for some of the anguished urgency in his vocal.
I give this book the full five stars because I believe it is worth reading not only by those for whom this music matters but for anyone interested in the social upheavals in America in the second half of the 20th century.
… (more)
 
Flagged
HenrySt123 | 3 other reviews | Jul 19, 2021 |

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