Elvis Presley – Hard Knocks | CD

1960s Movie Studio Outtakes & Alternate Takes
Elvis Presley – Hard Knocks is an interesting collectors' CD devoted to Elvis' movie soundtrack recordings of the 1960s. Released in Europe in 2014, the album contains 27 tracks featuring studio outtakes, alternate takes and masters from a selection of Elvis movie recording sessions.
Instead of concentrating solely on the familiar finished soundtrack masters, Hard Knocks takes the listener inside the studio. Multiple takes of several songs reveal how performances developed during the sessions before the final versions were selected.
Elvis' Movie Recording Sessions
The CD opens with Easy Come, Easy Go – Take 10, followed by alternate performances of I'll Take Love and Sing You Children.
Two versions of She's A Machine follow, including Take 15, identified as the master for the record version. The Love Machine is also presented in two versions, with Take 14 representing the movie-version master.
One of the most interesting sequences features four consecutive takes of Yoga Is As Yoga Does. Takes 1 through 4 provide collectors with the opportunity to hear the song evolve during the recording process.
Hard Knocks, Kismet & What'd I Say
The title track Hard Knocks is included as Take 11/master, while other highlights include Little Egypt, It's A Wonderful World, Mexico, Marguerita and The Bullfighter Was A Lady.
Multiple takes of Wisdom Of The Ages and Kismet continue the session-oriented approach of the collection.
Towards the end of the disc, collectors get an extensive selection of Shake That Tambourine takes, followed by three entries devoted to What'd I Say, concluding with Take 4/master.
Rather than being simply another collection of Elvis soundtrack songs, Hard Knocks offers a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process during Elvis' Hollywood years.
Track Listing
1. Easy Come, Easy Go – Take 10
2. I'll Take Love – Takes 1-2A & Take 3
3. Sing You Children – Takes 18-20 / Take 20 Call Only
4. She's A Machine – Take 14
5. She's A Machine – Take 15 / Master – Record Version
6. The Love Machine – Take 13
7. The Love Machine – Take 14 / Master – Movie Version
8. Yoga Is As Yoga Does – Take 1
9. Yoga Is As Yoga Does – Take 2
10. Yoga Is As Yoga Does – Take 3
11. Yoga Is As Yoga Does – Take 4
12. Hard Knocks – Take 11 / Master
13. Little Egypt – Take 21 / Master – Movie Version
14. It's A Wonderful World – Take 17 / Track Only
15. Mexico – Takes 1-2
16. Marguerita – Takes 7, 6
17. The Bullfighter Was A Lady – Take 10 / Remake
18. Wisdom Of The Ages – Take 4
19. Wisdom Of The Ages – Take 5 / Master
20. Kismet – Takes 1-2
21. Kismet – Takes 3, 4, 5 / Master
22. Hey Little Girl – Takes 1-2
23. Shake That Tambourine – Take 14
24. Shake That Tambourine – Takes 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 16
25. What'd I Say – Takes 1, 2
26. What'd I Say – Take 3
27. What'd I Say – Take 4 / Master
Product Details
Artist: Elvis Presley
Title: Hard Knocks
Format: CD
Country: Europe
Released: 2014
Tracks: 27
Recording type: Studio recordings
Period: 1960s
Contents: Movie soundtrack outtakes, alternate takes & masters
Elvis Presley – Hard Knocks is a worthwhile addition for collectors interested in the recording process behind Elvis' movie soundtracks. With numerous alternate performances and session takes, it offers a different perspective on both familiar and lesser-known songs from his Hollywood years.
Available from your Elvis specialist Bennies Fifties and the online Fifties Store.