Record #0687: The Ballad of Paladin / The Wild Westerners – DUANE EDDY

 RCA Victor 47-8047 (original) USA, June 1962

Music by:  Side A – Johnny Western, Richar Boone, Sam Rolfe; Side B – Duane Eddy, Lee Hazlewood
Musicians: Duane Eddy (lead “twang” guitar), Barney Kessel (guitar), Bill Pitman (guitar), Jimmy Bond (bass), Earl Palmer / Frank Capp (drums), Larry Knechtel (piano), Plas Johnson (tenor sax), George Tracy (harmonica), Francis Howard (trombone), Vincent DeRosa, Richard Perissi (French horn)
Recording sessions: Produced by Lee Hazlewood at RCA Victor Studio 2, Hollywood, CA, on 10. May 1962
Highest chart positions:  US #33, Canada #9, UK #10, Ireland #8

This post is for the memory of Duane Eddy, who passed away on 30. April 2024.

The Western Writers of America included the title song in the “Top 100 Western Songs of All Time”. The flip was written for a 1962 western “The Wild Westerners”, where Eddy played the role of deputy marshal Clint Fallon.

The recording session included top notch musicians of the Wrecking Crew.

List price:  Very Good+ is $6, Near Mint is $12; picture sleeve is $12,50 for VG+ and $25 for NM.

Record #0686: Loving You / (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – ELVIS PRESLEY

 

RCA PB-11109 (reissue) USA, October 1977

Words & Music by:  Side A – Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller; Side B – Kal Mann, Bernie Lowe
Musicians: Elvis Presley (vocals, rhythm guitar on side A, percussion on side B), Scotty Moore (lead guitar), Bill Black (upright bass), D.J. Fontana (drums), Dudley Brooks (piano), The Jordanaires (backing vocals), Hilmer J. Timbrell (rhythm guitar on side B)
Recording sessions: Side A - Produced by Steve Sholes at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA, Feb. 24, 1957; Side B - Produced by Walter Scharf at Paramount Scoring Stage, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 16, 1957
Highest chart positions:  No info on the reissue. The original release did well; Side A - US #20, US Country #15, UK #24; Side B - US #1, US Country #1, US R&B #1, UK #3

This is one of the many reissues that were released soon after Elvis’ death in 1977.

Both tracks are from his 1957 movie and album "Loving You". The original single came out about 3 weeks before the album did. The movie was released on July 9, 1957.

Elvis played the belly of his guitar as a percussion on "Teddy Bear". He did the same also in the movie scene, which is about in the middle of the movie. The scene where he performs "Loving You" is about five minutes before the end.

"Teddy Bear" required 13 takes and "Loving You" was nailed on the 4th take in the studio.

List price:  Not found in the catalog (it ends in PB-10601). This is available in various places for $10-$20.

Record #0685: In the Ghetto / Any Day Now – ELVIS PRESLEY

 

RCA Victor 47-9741 (original) USA, 14. April 1969
Words & Music by:  Side A – Scott Davis; Side B – Bob Hilliard, Burt Bacharach
Musicians: Elvis Presley (lead and harmony vocals, guitar), Reggie Young (guitar), John Hughey (steel guitar on side A), Gene Chrisman (drums), Bobby Emmons (organ), Tommy Cogbill / Mike Leech (bass), Bobby Wood (piano), Mary 'Jeanie' Greene, Mary Holladay, Ginger Holladay, Donna Thatcher (backing vocals on side A), Wayne Jackson, R.F. Taylor (trumpet), Joe D’Gerolamo, Tony Cason (French horn), Jackie Thomas, Jack Hale (trombone), Glen Spreen (sax) and strings led by Glen Spreen
Recording sessions: Produced by Chips Moman and Felton Jarvis at American Sound, Memphis, TN, Side A - on 20. January 1969; Side B – on 20. February 1969
Highest chart positions: US #3, US AC #8, US Country #60, Canada #2, UK #2, Australia #1, Norway #1, Finland #14

Here's another single from Elvis’ 1969 Memphis sessions. Mac (Scott) Davis wrote the title song and other hits like “A Little Less Conversation”, “Memories” and “Don’t Cry Daddy” for Elvis.

Both sides of the single are included in Elvis’ 9^th studio album “From Elvis in Memphis”, released on 2. June 1969. The album was a major success, reaching #13 in US albums, #2 in US country albums and #1 in UK albums.

List price:  Very Good+ is $4, Near Mint is $8. Picture sleeve is $10 for VG+ and $20 for NM. 2002 re-issue sleeves have text "This is a replica of the original packaging" on rear at lower right.

Record #0684: Don’t Cry Daddy / Rubberneckin’ – ELVIS PRESLEY

RCA Victor 447-0674 (re-issue) USA, 1976
Words & Music by:  Side A – Scott Davis; Side B – Dory Jones, Bunny Warren
Musicians: Elvis Presley (lead and harmony vocals, guitar), Reggie Young (guitar), John Hughey (steel guitar on side B), Gene Chrisman (drums), Bobby Emmons (organ), Tommy Cogbill / Mike Leech (bass), Bobby Wood (piano), Ed Kollis (harmonica on side A), Mary 'Jeanie' Greene, Mary Holladay, Ginger Holladay, Donna Thatcher (backing vocals on side A), strings led by Glen Spreen (on side A)
Recording sessions: Produced by ChipsMoman and Felton Jarvis at American Sound, Memphis, TN, Side A - on 15. January 1969; Side B – on 20. January 1969
Highest chart positions: No info on the re-issue’s chart success. The original release: Side A - US #1, US AC #3, US Country #13, Canada #2, UK #8, Australia #3, Norway #4, Finland #32; Side B – US #6, Australia #3

I mentioned this single in my previous post as both singles were recorded in the Memphis sessions. The original release (RCA 47-9768) came out on 11. November 1969.

This single follows Elvis’ 60’s format; put a soft ballad on the A-side and a more upbeat track on the flip.

“Rubberneckin’” was included in Elvis’ 1969 film “Change of Habit”. It was recorded in the same session with an earlier hit song, “In the Ghetto”.

List price:  Very Good+ is $4, Near Mint is $8.