Representing Elvis on tape would not be complete without reflecting on sound quality. The closest in sound to the original RCA master tapes, was the 7½ IPS reel-to-reel format. So it’s safe to say that the 7½ IPS reel-to-reel is superior to all tape formats, including the 3¾ IPS reel-to-reel — which comes close but still falls a little short
Despite the 7½ IPS reel sound quality, there was nothing better than the sound of an Elvis 8-track blasting out of your car stereo, while cruising the streets on a summer night, with the windows down! However, 8-tracks did have one major quirk — love it or hate it — songs had the potential to be split between programs. For some, it may have initially hindered your ability to get lost in the music, but you adapted to it. For example, Find Out What’s Happening (found on Raised on Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake) has an instrumental bridge that concludes on program three, but plays again at the start of program four. Fortunately, the quadraphonic 8-track, with only two programs, eliminated the need to break songs.
My introduction to the cassette was brief at first. My friend no longer wanted an 8-track player in his car, so he replaced it with a cassette player. This was around 1972, the year when the cassette was gaining traction. Excited as can be, we popped in Elvis’ Gold records, but much to our dismay, it sounded more like Alvin and the Chipmunks! We tried another and another, to no avail. The following week, the 8-track player was back in the car.
In defense of the cassette player, they vastly improved not only the car units, but the home units as well. By 1979, I transitioned to full cassette in the car. The cassette format was also added to my home, where all available formats had (and still have) representation. Analog cassettes remained the primary format well into the early 1990s, running a close second to vinyl LPs. They were superior to the first digital CDs, made around 1985.
It’s worth noting that songs on 8-track and songs on cassettes had several audible differences. Though there weren’t any different mixes or versions that appear on reel-to-reel, Elvis, That’s The Way It Is ran a few seconds slower, at the recorded speed of 3¾. Of course, there was the quadraphonic reel-to-reel of Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite, which continues to be the ultimate sound experience.
Following is a breakdown of notable anomalies on Elvis tapes
Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Volume 1 (Stereo 8/Cassette)
This impressive set is an amazing discovery with impressive sound. It contains a mix of both stereo and mono tracks — unlike the four individual tapes or vinyl box set that contain only mono and would eventually replace this box set. Additionally, many of the stereo tracks were remixed, along with superbly done mono versions of Viva Las Vegas, Don’t Cry Daddy, Suspicious Minds, and If I Can Dream. A true indication that the mastering of this set was given the utmost attention.
You’ll never Walk Alone / Elvis’ Christmas Album (Stereo 8)
This 1971 twin pack truly packs a double punch. Aside from fantastic sound quality, it is the first time If Everyday Was Like Christmas and Mama Liked the Roses were released in stereo. Unfortunately, many were led to believe the stereo debut of these songs to be on the 1982 posthumous release Memories of Christmas (If Everyday Was Like Christmas) and on the 1985 release The Memphis Record (Mama Liked the Roses). Furthermore, Mama Liked the Roses contains a fantastic mix that rivals any version released before, or since.
G.I. Blues (Stereo 8)
Program four closes out with a preceding message by an unknown announcer, informing the listener that the tape has ended.
On stage (February, 1970) (Stereo 8/Quad 8)
Elvis’ dialogue was moved to a more fitting point on the stereo 8. The quadraphonic version has the same occurrence, in addition to dialogue not included on the stereo 8 or the standard album.
Promised Land (Stereo 8/Quad 8)
There is an extended version of Love Song of the Year on the stereo 8, while the quadraphonic 8-track has a entirely remixed version of the title track.
That’s The Way It Is (Quad 8)
This includes the 45 rpm single of Patch It Up in 4-channel. It is, without a doubt, the best version ever released.
Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis (Stereo 8/Quad 8)
On the stereo 8, I Got a Woman/Amen was shortened, excluding JD Sumner’s bass solo and much of Elvis’ dialogue. Help Me was made longer, while Let Me Be There removed Elvis’ reprise to make it shorter. On the quad 8, How Great Thou Art was shortened by removing Elvis’ concluding reprise.
Elvis: As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (Stereo 8)
The Closing Vamp is repeated after Al Dvorin’s famed announcement: “Ladies and Gentleman, Elvis has left the building.”
Welcome to My World (Stereo 8)
This includes a longer version of For The Good Times.
Roustabout (Stereo 8)
This includes a shorter reprise of the title track that closed out program four. This was likely edited to match the running times of the four programs.
Elvis in Concert (Stereo 8/Cassette)
The stereo 8 contains an edited version of How Great Thou Art by repeating the end verse. This edit adds a nice touch and, surprisingly, benefits the song. They reprised If You Love Me, Let Me Know, which removes Elvis’ mention of the song being done by Oliva Newton-John. Additionally, the chorus is repeated to make the song longer. There is also a reprise of Hound Dog, closing out program four, which is not edited. The cassette includes the same exact reprise version of If You Love Me, Let Me Know, as on the stereo 8.
It Happened at The World’s Fair (Stereo 8)
The bridge is removed from A World Of Our Own, to make a shorter version.
Love Letters From Elvis (Stereo 8/Cassette)
These contained a shorter version of Got My Mojo Working.
Elvis Sings Flaming Star / Let’s Be Friends (Stereo 8)
This twin pack has a great version of Tiger Man from Elvis-TV Special. Due to the mix and separation of the song, it really does sound like true stereo.
Back In Memphis (Stereo 8)
This contains a longer version of You’ll Think Of Me and The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind.
Fun In Acapulco (Stereo 8)
This contains a shorter version of Vino, Dinero y Amour.
Elvis-TV Special (Stereo 8)
This album will get a special mention, simply for the incredible, yet avant-garde song sequences which are completely different from the vinyl LP.
From Elvis In Memphis (Stereo 8)
This contains a shorter version of I’ll Hold You In My Heart.
Elvis (Fool) (Stereo 8)
The song Padre, on the oft-referred to “Fool Album,” contains a shorter intro, prior to vocal entry.
Pure Gold (Stereo 8)
New mixes, such as Kentucky Rain, I Got A Woman, All Shook Up, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, Don’t Be Cruel, and Loving You, all seemed to make another new attempt at remixing, to replicate the old electronic stereo sound.
Moody Blue (Stereo 8)
Program four repeats Its Easy For You and Little Darlin’.
A FEW FINAL NOTES: Many of the 8-track and cassette running orders differ from their vinyl LP counterparts, as an effort to keep running orders even on all programs/sides of a tape. Additionally, this book represents tapes released and scheduled for release during Elvis’ lifetime. As a result, some 1978 releases or reissues were included, where appropriate. This includes an album, which was scheduled for release in the mid-1970s, titled Mahalo From Elvis, but was shelved until 1978 (see page 76). Finally, I would be remiss if I did not at least acknowledge Brookville, a mail order company which issued two top-selling albums, titled Elvis (1973) and Elvis In Hollywood (1976)
In closing, we know 4-channel, quadraphonic 8-tracks had new mixes, but many of the Stereo 8-Tracks (particularly the 1970s releases) also had unique mixes. It is believed that this was a direct result of the acoustics of the fast-growing car audio system. Regardless, it’s fascinating to hear all these 8-tracks again, over 50 years later. Overall, with all their anomalies and artwork, Elvis tapes provided a flavor to appeal to everyone.
Joseph A Tunzi