Elvis Presley - It's a Matter of Time - From First Take to the Master

Slight error in one of the captions in this video, The RCA master actually comes after the overdubbed version!!
Elvis' March 1972 studio session in RCA's Studio C in Hollywood produced seven studio masters over three days between 27 and 29 March. Of these songs only two, "Fool" and "Where Do I Go From Here" were ever released on a regular studio album, titled "Elvis", early the following year, although the album would soon become to be known as "Elvis (including Fool)" after the bracketed words below the albums main title. This was likely to distinguish it from his original 1956 album also titled “Elvis”.
Apart from "For The Good Times" which would not see an official release in Elvis' lifetime, the remaining four "Always On My Mind", "Burning Love", "It's A Matter Of Time" and "Separate Ways" would be released on albums through RCA's budget label Camden usually mixed amongst sixties studio or movie tracks.
Four of the seven tracks recorded at this March 72 session had strings added a couple of months later and then subsequently removed before release and the final RCA master recordings are bereft of the string overdubs.
As discussed in previous posts on the alternate orchestral versions of "Always On My Mind" and "Separate ways" they are not without merit particularly "Always On My Mind" and in either case it may not be immediately apparent why the strings were removed.
In the case of "It's A Matter Of Time", an obscure Elvis studio track almost completely unknown outside the Elvis community, the reason for their removal is perhaps more obvious. The introduction sounds as if it would be more at home in Madrid or Guadalajara! Even after this fussy beginning the strings seem to drown the song and therefore serve no discernible purpose.
This version is not to my taste, I prefer the undubbed master, but others may disagree!!
Although Elvis took five takes to record the final mater version only take four is a complete run through with takes 1 through 3 being either false starts or aborted takes. Take 5 with the overdubs removed would become the master take and would be released in late 1972 on "Burning Love and Hits From His Movies".
As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the re-edited audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!

[@helenludlow2331]

Haven't heard this song in a long long time and had forgotten how lovely it is - so glad he got to sing it live for the audience what a thrill for them it must have been. Great country/pop song that Elvis strolls through 💗

[@krisasheets]

This song reminds me so much of my dad. It was one of his favorites he used to sing it all the time. 💖

[@freesia5345]

Thanks so much Leon for sharing this beautiful song. I think whether this Elvis's song is completed or not, hearing his voice is happiness itself. And I think Elvis is a man who combines GOD given musical talent and beauty. Elvis's voice itself is art and no one can surpass him. I am looking forward to seeing next video with a lot of expectation. Leon! I wish you all the best..!!

[@mitchellwestford9312]

GOD MAKES SUPER STAR ELVIS WAS THE 1 and only to this day Elvis Presley Never be forgotten He lives by his billion Of fans around the world TCB and thank you2022

[@freesia5345]

@@mitchellwestford9312 I woke up at dawn and saw your reply. I think I am the first and the biggest fan among Elvis's billions of fans. Thanks for reply and Thanks all Elvis's fans!!

[@lauramuttoni130]

Amazing gospel! Hear his songs make me feeling better! Thanks for sharing.

[@freesia5345]

@@lauramuttoni130I listen to Elvis's gospel songs a lot without missing a day. One of my favorite Elvis's gospel songs is ..."An evening prayer"... Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@pegeagle6972]

@@freesia5345ok😅

[@jounisyrjanen2226]

Thank you! I have this song only on vinyl album Elvis sings Burning Love and Hits from His Movies. Such a peaceful song ❤

[@user-jx7om4ni9e]

❤ beautiful beautiful voice

[@lindarunyon1555]

This song was made for the voice of Elvis ...his low range is beautiful to hear...so much emotion in the words .,.love Elvis now and forever ❤

[@deballen5616]

I love this beautiful song by Elvis Presley. Oh this is so precious. ASTONISHING!! Love the beautiful lyrics. Such a fantastic song 🎵 Elvis and his powerful voice. ❤️

[@nancyboyer3213]

There will never be an nother artist like Elvis never, he is an one of a kind none other like him he brings tears to my eyes how i miss them God has one very extraordinary

[@nancyboyer3213]

Angel in his special choir, that is for sure

[@nikolaylevin336]

So few commentaries to this most beautiful species of music & performance! No one else could ever repeat it with such strained energy& emotion like ELVIS! His heavenly voice can never be hushed! Love forever! Long live the King of all times! I wish he hadn’t died so early...he was incomprehensibly unique in his voice style& manner. It must have been a mixture of the Negroes, the Indians, Jewish & WASP’s traces in his blood. Dear Elvis, it’s “ just ADIOUS and not Good- bye” to you!..

[@anY-bf9ud]

Beautiful song, less is more for me, no.need for strings and horns . Very emotionally charged lyrics and for me the impromptu live version tops them all, omg his vocals give life to the narrative. 😢 Thanks Leon.

[@elmaluna6396]

What a beautiful but sad song. I dedicate this song to my beautiful foster daughter whom I lost almost a year ago. It brought tears to my eyes & my heart. Nobody could have sang it better than the master himself, Elvis. SanJuana Luna Lowke, RIP my daughter. I'm in my late 70's, so It 's a matter of time. Thank you, God .

[@anamariapalau1612]

Sorry elma, because of your sad pain, i lost my husband and hearing elvis is my great brief. God bless you!💝⛪

[@pegeagle6972]

Jo

[@pegeagle6972]

lol ok

[@elfriedekupfer931]

Elvis sang full of sadness, heartbreaking, and lonelyness greatful this was Elvis so amazingly 😢💔👌🙏🇦🇹thanks Leon💯

[@delorespetree3243]

Love this song incredible voice❤💖

[@uweschrade5246]

Thank you for sharing another gem of Elvis' legacy... a song which is underrated as l think, like so many others!

[@reto4629]

I love this song. The sound is awesome! Thanks for sharing.❤️💯🙏

[@user-vb3gq8mw3k]

Viva Elvis Presley!

[@chanson5638]

👑Elvis👑は天才だと常々思ってました!天才の上に!努力を重ねて居られる事が分かりました!そして産まれ持った!独特の美声誰にも真似できない素敵な歌声🌹🌹🌹なんて素晴らしいElvis🎶🎵🎶HAPPYにしてくれて有難う🕺🎤🎸🎺🎹🥁☀🌍🪐🌔🌕地球規模の最高の👑Elvis👑🌴🌺🌴

[@katierear8113]

So very very beautiful and so very very sad!❤

[@junewilliams5409]

beautiful song x

[@tinapapp7136]

😉✨💛Great 👍 🎸 rockin 🔋 energized voice 🎤"ELVIS"💛&🎶!🌹💜😉

[@vasilescarpet7665]

Beautiful!

[@hotroddave7597]

Very very nice 🤙🏻⚡️⚡️⚡️👑

[@karentranter7806]

🏎️

[@katierear8113]

This song and his voice gives me goosebumps!❤

[@ildikonyilas4870]

Wow! Amazing voice and performance. This melodyl absolutely highlights Elvis' sound. Thanks✌️👑👼❤️🌹

[@judyfowler3069]

Love this song, love the lyrics, love he melody and of course Elvis singing it. Wish I had seen him do this sing it live.

[@karentranter7806]

Hi Leon, Great Elvis song Xxx 💝

[@bobbiemoore1745]

I really like this song. It's been awhile since I heard it. Elvis is the only man that can sing this song. He's the greatest.

[@Aquarius69]

With or without strings, something for every taste. I like the contrast. Love the song. Thank you, Leon. Hope, you are doing well. How's the scottish weather? 😎

[@TheUltimateElvisChannelbyLeon]

Not bad pal. Quite a sunny spring day today. Keep well my friend.

[@Aquarius69]

@@TheUltimateElvisChannelbyLeon Thank you, Leon. I appreciate that, my friend👍

[@jariheikkila4782]

Great song 🎤🇫🇮

[@lottahansson8556]

Thanks for sharing this video 👍💖good✌.

[@ildikonyilas4870]

Se sintió bien escuchar esta canción de nuevo. La voz de Elvis se combina perfectamente con las "inclinaciones" de la melodía, lo que enfatiza por completo la belleza y la singularidad de su voz. Súper foto.✌👼👑🌹❤

[@estelaavecilla289]

Dios mío!!que hermosa canción! Graciias mil nunca más é escuchado. Nadie igual !! Con ésa voz tan ÚNICO!!Nii habrá jamás otro igual Q EPD MÍ QUERIDO Y ADORADO REY ELVIS 💫💖💝👑👑

[@carmenaudi3178]

Mi bello Elvis maravilloso 😍🤩🤩😍 siempre tan fantástico es cuestión de tiempo que pueda aceptar que ya no estás en la tierra pero mi mente y mi corazón se resisten a entenderlo y yo me dejo llevar por tu bella música y tu voz y me transportas al limbo y en ese momento soy feliz y no quiero volver a la realidad te amooo ❤️💞💞💖💟❤️💓❣️💞❣️💞❣️💞❣️

[@Rock4UNow]

So glad they removed the strings & horns. Sounds more like a 70s TV Show. Without it it sounds like 70s organic easy listening.

[@karentranter7806]

Hi Rockstars, I totally agree with you. How are you doing???? Xxx 💝

[@Rock4UNow]

@@karentranter7806 better now 😘, thank you . How are you?

[@karentranter7806]

@@Rock4UNow hi Levi, I'm doing good thank you. Glad you are feeling much better. Take care lovely xxx 💝

[@Rock4UNow]

@@karentranter7806 When are we going to Ramba in a Sport Car?? 🌷

[@karentranter7806]

@@Rock4UNow hi Levi, theres no room to Rumba in a sports car 😂 😂 😂

[@uweschrade5246]

One of my favourites... Also another example of RCA's strange public-release-politic back then... this Album should have been released back then.. how can you press Songs like this, like 'Always on my Mind', 'Burning Live' etc etc just use as some 'left-overs' and bring them just as a Single release or later as a 'Camden/Pickwick'-LP-release.. the songs were just way too good to let them 'slipped away'... a beautiful song, l love the only live Version in Vegas especially...

[@Ntass1]

One my favorite elvis song,

[@ct8755]

Great! I think on the RCA master that wasn’t used said strings removed but I hear a violin so I think it was supposed to say horns removed.

[@MisterMasterShafter1]

Good stuff, Leon.

[@seandarcy7651]

Great song well done buddy

[@TheBooey1650]

Love this. Thanks for sharing.

[@lesleypilling7561]

Tha I you Leon.l.this is a song thst means a lot to me ❤️

[@aparecidacampos1048]

Beautiful!.Thankil ❤❤❤🌹🌹🌹

[@gewoonjeroen8452]

Number 36 in the cw charts i believe

[@judyking1011]

So smooth! Love this song! Elvis can sing anything and beautifully 💗💗🎶🎊

[@slimcoogan3277]

Isn't it the truth. This is an absolutely fantastic recording!

[@paolobartolo1185]

🤩😀

[@johngeary4607]

This a beautiful song, a real gem Elvis sings it beautifully his voice is so full & rich but its the "quiet one" the great John Wilkinson beautiful guitar work that really resonates here & rightly so he never got the credit he deserved as part of the TCB band although Elvis did appreciate his talent.

[@brigittewinkler1449]

Mein lieber Leon. Vielen lieben Dank für dieses tolle "Elvis-Geschenk". Elvis singt diese Songs viel intensiver als herkömmlich bekannt. Alles Liebe für Dich.

[@tulajugder6200]

Sehr shon wort vielen lieben dank

[@margaretesterhuizen5114]

Awesome Léon you are so blessed with that voice just love this songe.

[@shirleysanchez1892]

❤ 🎶 "Beautifully 💘 Sensually Heartfelt ; Feelings. Beloved Elvis Presley 💃 an Extraordinary Voice 🎶 and Persona like No Other's.. Magnificence 🏆 ln Abundance. Thanks for Sharing 💘 and Enjoy A Delightful Evening..". 🎶 ❤

[@maureensheets6540]

Thank you elvis presley your the Air I breath and daily elvis pill The one and only

[@jefferyforeman7905]

Love this 😀 ❤

[@victoriabalabamecate2993]

goodmornng,to my one only you,habbie

[@maxavon-smith2816]

Hi Leon, Can you please upload for the next first take to masters the song Where Do I Go From Here. Thanks

[@TheUltimateElvisChannelbyLeon]

Coming soon Max.

[@victoriabalabamecate2993]

gudeve po,Yan po c Captain marvel jr. cxa c Elvis presley_Captain marvel jr.sir bagay nman po, you are 1935,aq ay kabaliktaran po 1953 Kaya ngayon aq po ay 70 yr old na

[@ianmackay1125]

I was expecting a commentary on the development of the song. While I enjoy hearing all the takes and performances, the observations are where the value comes from. Are they coming back Leon? Cheers mate.

[@shirleysanchez1892]

❤ 🏆 ❤

[@no288]

Glad they removed the strings ; )

[@kennethword6533]

What does that mean removed the strings

[@no288]

@@kennethword6533 The info is in the description ; )

[@kennethword6533]

@@no288 well enlighten me what does it mean 😊

[@shirleysanchez1892]

❤ 🏆 ❤