Elvis Presley - Love Letters - From First Take to the 1966 and 1970 Masters

After his regular recording session on 26 and 27 March 1963, it would be over three years, on 25 May 1966, before Elvis entered a recording studio for a regular recording session again. Though no regular recording sessions occurred during this time, Elvis did have a mini session on 12 January 1964, consisting of two remakes and yielding one of the best recordings Elvis ever made: "It Hurts Me".
The recording sessions which began on 25 May 1966, the first of four consecutive recording days, are where the roots of recovery in Elvis' career would begin to sprout. Here, he began work on the second gospel album of his career, and this first day's session yielded two songs which would become Elvis classics: "How Great Thou Art", and Elvis' magnificent interpretation of Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time". These sessions, aided by a further mini-session three weeks later, would also result in a worldwide hit, "Love Letters"; another of his finest recordings, "I'll Remember You"; one of his finest Christmas recordings, "If Everyday Could Be Like Christmas"; and, most importantly from a career legacy perspective, the award of his first Grammy for the album "How Great Thou Art". Despite the success of these sessions, there was still some way for Elvis to travel on the musical road to public redemption. However, this new-found confidence would follow Elvis into his next regular session in September 1967 at which he recorded "Guitar Man", before entering the most creative and triumphant period of his career between 1968 and 1972.
Whilst it is an excellent recording, "Love Letters" was not the best secular song recorded during the 1966 sessions. Nevertheless, it was the most commercially viable song, which would explain its choice as a single release. As good as Elvis' cover of the song is, it is Ketty Lester's 1961 version, itself a cover of Dick Haymes' 1945 original, which probably remains the definitive version, especially as Elvis' version contains a very similar arrangement to Lester's. Elvis' recording reached #19 in the US charts and #6 in the UK. This could be considered something of a success - Elvis' status as a recording artist had largely been forgotten, and such status was considered irrelevant at this point. Regardless, it was this release as a single that began to place him back, ever so slightly, in the consciousness of the music-buying public.
In a very strange move, probably in an attempt to improve or update the 1966 recording, Elvis decided to re-record the song on 7 June 1970 during "The Nashville Marathon". This was the final song recorded on the penultimate day of recordings, and there are obvious sounds of strain in Elvis' voice. This appears to have been caused by the previous three days of intensive recordings, as well as the eight songs preceding the recording of "Love Letters" on this particular day. This, however, is not the problem with the 1970 re-recording. Instead, it is the schmaltzy string overdubs added in post-production by Elvis' producer, Felton Jarvis, that is problematic, and this was further exasperated in 2017 when the Royal Philharmonic arrangement took the schmaltz to another level, smothering the piano, gentle percussion and vocal backings that had been the essence of the original 1966 recording.
As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!

[@donnalawlor1497]

Love this song. Elvis brings his own unique style and heart to his music. He remains to be the very best artist of all time. No one like him, we lost him too soon. I've been a fan since I was twelve and I am now in my late seventies. Miss him and his legendary beauty!!!

[@marleneperok8517]

OMG I listened to every take and I'm just carried away by the quality of his voice every time. I have been singing at church for years and could never count on my voice to stay that clear for 8 takes. He is so dreamy.

[@gilbertbunn305]

Same Here 1960 Gi Blues Wooden Heart I’m 77

[@LaurenceOConnor-fg4dk]

Happy Christmas to you, ma'am, from Ireland. 😊

[@soniaevans-ty7gz]

The 70’s version is the heart and soul of Elvis. He’s beyond a treasure. ❤️❤️❤️

[@Zoro007]

A true master at work, constantly working at getting it right he knew instantly if it wasn't up to his standards. Were so lucky to have these recordings for prosperity just imagine if we'd had an actual tape of Mozart or Beethoven composing some of their classics or ultimately Vavaldi's Four Seasons... it's in that class for historians to be able to listen to and wonder at the majesty of this man's voice, truly and utterly God given.Thank you.

[@LaurenceOConnor-fg4dk]

Ernst Jorgensen is to be thanked for his stellar work of remastering and putting Elvis Presley's music into a coherent fashion after the destruction of it at the hands of Col. Parker.

[@bradhuskers]

An iconic artist, the likes of which may never be seen again.

[@ontheroadhome4796]

I would change only 1 thing about your comment. Instead of "May" I'd say "WILL" never be seen or heard again. There is no one like Elvis and he sang from the heart, even from his soul.

[@bradhuskers]

@@ontheroadhome4796 100% correct. Brilliantly said.

[@RLS424]

Perfection. He had it. he knew it and shared it with the world. his love song to us. But God loved him more. He is our Love letter. Jesus.

[@ontheroadhome4796]

He always wanted to be able to sing in a lower register like JD Sumner. But, Elvis's voice was beautiful. He truly had God touch his vocal cords. He was a rare rare gem...

[@nataliejanvrin5964]

Wow absolutely stunning song his voice absolutely stunning....

[@debbyhelm8171]

😭😭 PURE HEAVEN 😭😭 ❣😭❣😭❣😭❣😭 JUST LISTEN TO THAT VOICE!!! BEAUTIFUL ❤ JUST LISTENING TO HIM EVEN TALK GIVES ME CHILLS!!! 😭❣

[@ClaudiaJuarez-nb8hr]

Yes! When he talks is like singing 😊❤

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Это лучшее, это он устраивает театр из своего голоса, он поет с разными эмоциями, как будто от разных мужчин с оазным жизненным опытом, он актер, талант, он певец талант, чудо ,чудо во всем, самый крупный бриллиант в истории музыки

[@ClaudiaJuarez-nb8hr]

And company with his marvellous face 😊❤

[@DavidBowieFan1990]

I love this song so much.

[@heisseswasser1]

Seine Song sind so wunderbar 🕊️💎♥️🕊️💎♥️🕊️💎♥️🕊️💎♥️

[@brandonvandine1695]

70 version is better so much more heart and soul and feeling and it's still smooth

[@yvetteheller1083]

His voice is so silky and oh so smooth as he sings! Even during his retake.....❤❤❤

[@LT1HILLINGHOE]

The '66 master is, hands down, by far the best.

[@mikelong8762]

I always like hearing Elvis Presley recording a song. So he put his unique style to the song.

[@yvetteheller1083]

Wow! Beautiful version by the handsome and phenomenal singer, Elvis! ❤🎉❤🎉

[@Aquarius69]

Super smooth. I like the 1970's version a little bit more, because of Elvis more matured voice. But both versions of this song are splendid👑

[@toshiojohnston3732]

Same here 1966 is good but in 1970 elvis was on a roll singing many incredible songs from June and Sept plus live proud Mary Polk salad Annie let it be me and the wonder of you this version of love letters was a part of that great session.

[@user-pf4wl3st6n]

Like many of you, I really, really like this song. I prefer the 1970 version. Elvis has such a deep, low voice with wonderful intonations - the voice of a mature and a little tired master

[@russjohnson2478]

I think that maybe Congress should have passed a law long ago, stating that it was illegal to use overdubs in Elvis’ recordings 😊. I say that because of this- when Elvis was in a recording session, that session was all about the “here and now”. Elvis had to have a connection with his musicians. You see that perfectly during the Nashville Marathon. And, the musicians had to connect with Elvis. That’s why when Elvis recorded, he recorded with his musicians. He didn’t “lay down vocals” after the musicians recorded. Honestly, I don’t think Elvis would have ever changed his recording style. Elvis used his voice as an instrument, and that instrument had to connect with the other instruments. You can hear an example of this, when Elvis is recording “Just Pretend” (I think it was this one, or maybe Sylvia). But, he tells his drummer, Jerry Carrigan (who was an exceptional drummer) to make sure that he really lays into it, because that helps Elvis sing. You can also see the relationship he has with his other musicians. Just listen to the undubbed master of “How The Web Was Woven”. James Burton and Elvis were basically doing a duet at times. You hear Elvis singing, “No matter how I tried, I can’t sleep in my bed”. You can hear James playing those lyrics too. During the Nashville Marathon you can really hear that connection. I guess that’s why his live performances were so great. Just a big rehearsal with a crowd present. Also, if RCA would have released the undubbed masters of songs, like “Sylvia” and “The Sound Of Your Cry”, they would have been smash hits. Those are some of Elvis’ best vocals. You can also throw in “Heart Of Rome” and “Tomorrow Never Comes”. I love watching the TTWII rehearsals. As epic as those series of concerts are, some of the best music made was during the rehearsals (Just listen to Elvis on the piano on “How The Web Was Woven”, or “Stagger Lee”).

[@maggieshome]

I agree with everything you said so true

[@rayjackson6917]

As well as Oh Happy Day!!!

[@martawankiewicz7222]

So sweet, so soft... pure magic

[@mariawagner1811]

The beautiful magical voice of Elvis Aaron Presley, " I'm not alone in the night" you are forever in my heart Elvis!!!

[@ontheroadhome4796]

I never go with what they put on the grave stone. He's still Elvis Aron Presley as his birth certificate shows. And another reason is because Elvis is truly unique. There's not ever going to be another. And because he is unique his name is Unique too. Elvis Aron Presley. 😊

[@gracielagomezchirico5768]

QUE SUBLIME Y CUANTA TERNURA PARA INTERPRETAR. ES UN MAESTRO. SIEMPRE SERA EL MEJOR CANTANTE POR SIEMPRE 😪🙏💔🇺🇾😪🙏💔🇺🇾😪🙏💔🇺🇾

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Элвис как комета,мы только успели увидеть вспышку и сфотографироват ь свет, а он полетел дальшено успел дать нам свое сердце,,,модитесь теперь за чудо,по имени Элвис , мне 66 лет,я из Сочи, России,люблю всех,кто фанат

[@ClaudiaJuarez-nb8hr]

Thanks x ❤me ❤u too😊

[@sabrinadecristofano7538]

Wow...magical,so special. His voice has the power to make me fly away in another dimension. ❤️🇮🇹

[@roseannprocida4426]

I love this song 🎵 ❤

[@MartaTarra-rj9bc]

Bože to je krása❤děkuji ❤

[@DreamyElvis]

Oh my! THANK You! One of my Favorites!!!! This is an incredible gift you have given Elvis fans! Thank You!

[@aaroncoleman9140]

One of my favorites! I agree, too, with your assessment of "It Hurts Me." It happens to be my favorite pre-1969 Elvis song. But the softness and emotion of how he does Love Letters is nothing short of genius. You can just feel it!

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Благодарю, благодарю, за этот ролик,как живой Элвис,он вылечил меня от панических атак,он несёт нам радость и по сей день я фанатка,его голос звучит во мне, даже когда сплю,кроме него ничего слушать не могу, до него не было ничего и после него не будет никого,он затмил все твсех навсегда,,

[@donaldperrotta8514]

Gotta love listening to the recording process !!!!! Fabulous !!!!!

[@ClaudiaJuarez-nb8hr]

Velvet voice 😊❤

[@helenludlow2331]

Love this song - both versions are great in their own way - Elvis's voice is so smooth and delicious 😘

[@TA07DRY]

2.35 that note and his effortless vocal abilty his voice is absolutely immense, god showed of when he made elvis

[@maggieshome]

Beautiful Elvis voice beautiful thank you it's so relaxing

[@heisseswasser1]

Elvis mit seinen Grossartigen Song ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@RonWatti]

Very lovely song Semper Fi Elvis❤

[@juliecumbie7072]

Love all of it. Every single version. The 70's version, maybe had an edge bc his voice is a little richer. This man can't be topped. I can't wait to get to heaven bc my idea of it will be to sit and listen to this God created voice.

[@concepciongallo229]

Elvis Presley maravilloso ÚNICO INOLVIDABLE VIVE EN NUESTRO CORAZÓN POR SIEMPRE NADIE LO IGUALARÁ SU VOZ SU MUSICA CON SU BANDAMUSICAL TODOS FUERON MARAVILLOSO ELVIS PRESLEY FOREVER ♥️ 💕 ❤️ GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR BENDICIONES ♥️ 💕 💖 ❤️ 💜 2024 18 2 ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

[@jorgeneya.bresciani208]

Grandes artistas como Elvis, Michael Jackson,Bruce Lee e muito outros suad imagens e memórias são eternas.

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Благодарю за редкую запись репетиции,казалось ,что ему просто не еужна репетиция, что лн поет сразу все ,он репетирует ради музыкантов

[@ClaudiaJuarez-nb8hr]

Amaba lo q hacia y amaba a todos aquellos q amaban lo q El hacia es x nosotros sus fans q dejo su maravillosos legado🎵🎶❤

[@jariheikkila4782]

Marvelous outtakes. Thanks Leon. I listen outtakes all day long 🎤

[@sergioalfred4679]

Elvis the King Forever

[@MariaMiotke]

Dlaczego tacy królowie. Tak szybko odchodzą czy to jest jakieś fatum ❤❤❤❤❤

[@karenhill6012]

Love both versions!

[@anY-bf9ud]

Elvis,s voice is an instrument of resonating sound. Other than his musicians he needed no embellishments. Elvis was furious when his vocals were tampered with, he was the producer in every recording session and rightly so. For me personally his earlier recording of this beautiful song was just perfection, his 60,s vocals were much softer and sweeter in tone, as he matured so did his vocals. The Nashville recording took on a more bluesy deeper feel, thus giving it a different dynamic to the original, likewise the musicians gave it a more country/ bluesy rythnm . Both versions equally as well delivered though.

[@josefacouto]

. Lindas mucias do Elvis 🌟 estrela linda 🔯💕💕😮

[@frankconti6591]

‘⚜️🎭🎵 ‘Ouch this feels real’ ’ good 👑

[@nataliekriegler9329]

Thank you Leon for posting these…all are sooooo beautiful. This is one of my most favorite songs that Elvis sang. He’s amazing…absolutely beautifully sung 💜💖❤

[@socorropontigo2736]

Thank you Leon, thank KZbin for posting songs and recording sessions. This is a jewel. Every one and single take are the same song and yet differet. Elvis put his one personal signature in every take, either complete or not. Love it and thank you from my heart. My recently late husband and I wrote each other letters. He finished school and had to work far, or so i thought. No celphones, no emails, just pure letters.

[@kangavalma7399]

💃🕺🇦🇺🙋‍♀️💞💕 ELVIS, This is so beautiful, Thank You 😊 ❤️ 💖

[@sherylmcclure400]

My god I love this song but not that master give me the undubbed version anyday you can hear the raw talent of Elvis's voice when Elvis's voice is overpowered by the music you take away the most beautiful voice ever

[@WimGelok]

I will never understand why Elvis rerecorded this song ; the definitive version of thos 2nd version lacks the subtility of the first - definitive - version. And REALLY : forget the 2016😮 version !!

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Он бы мог показать еще 100 варианто и все были бы великолепны, что за годос, сплошное волшебство,знал ди это он про себя ❤🎉❤❤

[@ClaudiaJuarez-nb8hr]

Bien dicho! Era perfecto😊

[@shjssjjs7015]

اعظم فنان على مر العصور لم ولن يتكرر الملك بدون منازع

[@ClaudiaJuarez-nb8hr]

True ❤

[@socorropontigo2736]

And as we Say in México "esta canción me pega fuerte" And thought Memo, My husband isn't here any longer i treasure his and my letters we wrote each other " and I'm not alone in the night". MANY THANKS LEON 😢

[@scouseronthewirral]

Some men find it hard to sing a song that is known as a female song but Elvis just naturally eases into it without difficulty and is definitely a pioneer of the piano ballad

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Благодарю за качество и Зе все, что вы делаете от Элвиса,слушаю ... Постоянно и сплю с его голосом,спаси его Господи

[@user-fc8zk5bh3b]

Love Elvis Presley 💕💕

[@knowglobal-Redwoman]

Listen to the 1976 life elvis. 1000 %%%%% he sings all and every little bit to full sound magic.and laughs about his mastership.❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@janewray8]

I LOVED ALL OF THIS!!! I LOVE THE TALKING & CORRECTING & STARTING OVER & I LOVE THE ORCHESTRA AS WELL 🙏💖MASTER OF MASTERPIECE 💗⚡🌹

[@brendamitchell2387]

Turn turn turn past ❤

[@patgrimes298]

I can listen to this recording of Elvis' over and over. If he did not sing it perfect, he almost did. I do not know if I could hear someone else sing this love song (professional artist or not), because of Elvis' recording. ❤From A Nashville Girl❤

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Он спел идеально всегда, поэтому мы слушаем его постоянно,даже во сне к меня он поет это

[@mariaamorim1460]

Simplesmente ESPETACULAR

[@josefacouto]

Que lindo ❤❤q, suave 🎉

[@josefacouto]

Que maravilha 💙💞❤️💜 sempre vai ser o melhor cantor Elvis Presley canta con ó coração 💓 e alma pura 😮❤❤❤🙏🏼🙏🏼💕💕👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💯💯💯💯🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@cards1985]

KING🎤

[@daggen7273]

I think Love letters and Anything that's part of you, is his best songs from the 60 ies.

[@francacaminati1190]

Elvis meraviglioso ❤ thank s

[@darlagreen6519]

Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful difference between the two!

[@362pat]

Dreamy! Love it, thanks Leon.

[@frankconti6591]

King of Rock & Roll ⚜️🎵🎭🦅🍿🎸🎈✝️🙏🏼⚜️😎

[@rosco1pug]

The simplicity of its production, and the quality of its parts, makes this such an enduringly beautiful song

[@AmyWinehouse.914]

Ironic that apart from the Jan 12th 64 sessions Elvis recorded only soundtracks in 64 and 65 yet the Roustabout album in 64 and it made no1.

[@BirgitKonopka]

I love you DARLING

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Я могу слушать всегда, его голос звучит у меня во сне,,,это волшебно, Элвис росланец бога жля того, чтобы мы ощущали счастье ,молитесь за него

[@stephenmorse8811]

I love the original overdubs on the 1970 version !

[@jaimedilanaguilarsalinas7966]

Quizas para mi no era solo una carta. era el sonido de la melodia de su corazon que conseguia viajar conmigo a donde quiera que fuese y por esplendor sus palabras eran exactas y honestas simplificando tanto en tan poco y cuidando las emociones vueltas caricias de su alma. Gracias por tanto isa ..:)

[@mariatumminieri274]

💫

[@haykg7151]

Thank you very much for posting all these clips "From first take to..."... It is so interesting to hear the changes from take to take! Great job! Where did you get all the original recordings from?

[@TheUltimateElvisChannelbyLeon]

Hi Hayk. The recordings come from a combination of official and unofficial sources. Officially, that is outtakes released on albums by Sony's collectors label "Follow That Dream". However, most of those are incomplete, or have gaps, so sometimes the outtakes have to be sourced from unofficial session releases.

[@haykg7151]

@@TheUltimateElvisChannelbyLeon Hi Leon. That is very interesting! And really a great job and a lot of work you did.

[@angelviscarrara7426]

@@haykg7151 so che Elvis la cantava in piedi sul pianoforte!!!! Nessuno ha un video? Sarebbe fantastico

[@mariatumminieri274]

💙💫

[@holaquetal8405]

❤

[@frankconti6591]

Just meant too be !!! 🎵🙏🏼🇺🇸✝️🎭🎸🦅⚜️🍿🎈

[@MisterMasterShafter1]

Great stuff, Leon.

[@veronicaezquiaga392]

👑⭐❤️🇺🇾🔥

[@mariatumminieri274]

🌹

[@bbo1779]

Great! I think the 66 version is superior to the 70 one. Just my opinion of course.

[@mrsongman]

(Excluding all the movie tracks I never listen to) this is one of those extremely rare moments for me where I don't like something he does...to the point that I actually wince when I hear it. I love the song but I'm talking about what he does with the word "sign" on the 1970 recording. I can see what he's going for...with a clearer throat and some rest he would have made it work I'm sure.

[@ANNA-sd5ys]

oooOooo ❤🥴

[@tapsa412]

❤🇫🇮

[@delorespetree3243]

I wish he could of sang that to me

[@barbarap1477]

just pretend!

[@marleneperok8517]

I agree! Wish he could have sung it to me!

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Элвис мог прожить песню так как хотел в эту минуту,он умел делать с голосом все, мог даже петь без слов, и было бы все понятно

[@mecetnoca]

Jonh Lennon's song 'God' reminds me Love Letters Instrumental piece. Odd.

[@frankconti6591]

And I love you Priscilla

[@thepuma2012]

I always liked the 1970 better, i dont mind the violin overdub in that one, but the RPO version -NO

[@scouseronthewirral]

I had high hopes when I learned that love letters was Gonna be on the rpo album as I thought they would go with the 66 vocals but they didn’t they basically did a like for like string arrangement on the 70 version

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Может быть что ему нужно только фортепиано и ударные и него волшебный голос ,...и он бы так же был королем,. Оркестр, гитары это для нашего удовольствия, его голос как оркестр так могуч,колоритен.он пробует версии голосов мужчин как бы разных возрастов,а самому ему все понятно, все подвластно он художник, который рисует музыку каждый раз не повторяясь,чудесный Элвис будь счастлив там, где ты сейчас,,ты видишь нашу любовь.

[@sussancronoro3875]

Linda cancion me tranposta al cielo buena vercion el rey majestuoso siempre su voz profunda da clase

[@AmyWinehouse.914]

Any ideas why Elvis did two studio versions?,,,,,,,Same with Blue suede shoes.

[@LaurenceOConnor-fg4dk]

He was unhappy with the '66 version. Elvis Presley was a perfectionist.

[@user-jx2xi9km4i]

Я не сошла с ума ,но на 16:42 поет голос пастора боба, тембр точно,это или шутка или Элвис это пастор Джойс ,послушайте сами

[@holgerkysela9841]

Take 4 the drum ist slowing down. Playing IT layed Back ist cool, but Not slowing down ist difficult. Amazing anyway. Today they are sampling and cutting even parts of words. They die IT in one Take.

[@knowglobal-Redwoman]

Wonderful elvis. American musician orchestra cant get the european emotion rythm .

[@hl1958]

who were the backing singers ?

[@TheUltimateElvisChannelbyLeon]

On the 1966 master they were The Jordainaires, The Imperials, Milli Kirkham, June Page and Dolores Edgin. On the 1970 Master there were none. Hope this helps.