New Script, Same Stage

Digipak with sticker on warpper

  

Announcement: Millbranch Music is back with its first CD release in 2024! This time we have focused our attention to Elvis´ music of the first 3 months of the year 1972!

“New Script, Same Stage” is a CD in a deluxe 2-panel Digi-Pack: We at Millbranch wanted to create an album that does justice to the recordings made at the beginning of 1972. For the part with the songs from the Opening show of January 26, 1972, we even had the opportunity to work with the original binaural tape and this clearly made an impact on the sound which presents the songs in a sound quality never heard before!

With this CD, we want to pay tribute to that turbulent time of the recording sessions where Elvis presented his new show in Las Vegas in January and February with a lot of new songs in his setlist and turned his feelings into music at Hollywood´s RCA Studio C, given the fact that his marriage was falling apart at the time. The result was a very emotional output of music as only Elvis was able to create because he had put his whole heart and feelings into the recordings, probably even meant as a public apology to his lost love. At least, the songs were kind of a statement – done coincidentally or not.

Although there never really was an Elvis Presley album from 1972 that had an impact as if recorded from the same mould, Elvis albums were indeed released that year. “Elvis Now” came out in January 1972, containing more folk-oriented songs such as Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” featuring the big hit “Put Your Hand in the Hand” by Gene MacLellan from a group called “Ocean”. Elvis had previously sung MacLellan’s “Snowbird,” which was a big hit for Anne Murray, who also had “Put Your Hand in the Hand” on her album. Additionally, “Elvis Now” included Gordon Lightfoot’s “Early Morning Rain.” In January, Elvis also released a single from the LP “Until It’s Time for You to Go” by Buffy Sainte-Marie and “We Can Make the Morning” by Jay Ramsey. In April 1972, the gospel LP “He Touched Me” was released along with the single “Bosom of Abraham.” The album won a Grammy Award in 1973 in the “Best Gospel Album” category. In June, the LP “As Recorded at Madison Square Garden” was released in a rush, making it to the stores within a week and earning Elvis a gold record by August 1972. Although the music for the albums, aside from “Madison Square Garden”, were all recorded in 1971, there were indeed recording sessions planned for 1972. RCA had made significant investments to record during the winter season in Las Vegas, where Elvis presented his completely new show - a no-nonsense show with more drama, more music, and less interaction with the audience. In March, at RCA Studio C in Hollywood, new songs were to be recorded. These songs became some of the most iconic Elvis Presley songs, including “Burning Love,” “Always on My Mind,” and “Fool” by James Last. Unfortunately, the songs mostly came out on budget LPs from RCA Camden and in 1973 on the album “Elvis,” which the public called “The Elvis Fool Album.” This record was mainly filled with various leftover songs from the archive. It is unfortunate that the songs and the concept of the songs from early 1972 were never released as a full album because when you hear all the songs in an order, they do indeed fit together.

We strongly believe that the songs on his new CD fit together very well! Hear Elvis at his best at the early stage of 1972 and make sure you´ll get your copy of our brandnew Millbranch release at your favorite dealer!