The details on this songs SESSION for when ELVIS RECORDED his Vocal is Incomplete...
Also the Date of the Overdubbing of the Vocals and Choir of Voices is "UNCLEAR"

Ernests... A LIFE IN MUSIC, just says on the 16th May 71... after the Don't Think Twice "Jam" Elvis was no longer in the mood to sing Xmas Songs, so the Group layed down a Rhythm Track to "..Faithful", that Elvis a few days Later added his Vocals. The session ended on the 21st May... but the Actual date of Elvis' Vocals isn't Listed.

Tunzi's Sessions 3 ~ lists 3 overdub sessions, for Instrumentation, but hasn't any date for Elvis' Vocal overdub, or exactly when the Girls and/or Choir of Voices got added.

Released on the....

ELVIS SINGS THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CHRISTMAS
Stereo LSP 4579 (APRS-1673) DYNAFLEX recording in October 1971 (USA)

My copy at the time arrived on the 21st September 1971 (a Month in advance of the USA Shops ~ Release)

A few days later I took it with me to an ELVIS EVENT at the "Royal Festival Hall" in London,
when I got them to play it to over 1000 Elvis fans.

My WORLDWIDE ELVIS NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY dated 27th September 1971, had a review of Each song on this Album.
This was the first review by anyone at the time.

O COME. ALL YE FAITHFUL
Earlier in the session Elvis recorded his Vocals with the Backing Band... after the DON'T THINK TWICE Jam ~ Elvis didn't feel in the mood to record any more Christmas Vocals, so the band laid down a RHYTHM Track only.

Recorded 16th May 1971 first a

RHYTHM TRACK was laid down (APA4-1270)-(after the DON'T THINK TWICE Jam)
Background VOCAL OVERDUB TRACK (APA4 1270-1)(unclear if this happened on the 16th ?)

ELVIS VOCALS a few days Later (Date ? ~ session completed 21st May.. no paperwork shows the date?)

TWO TAKES of O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL (MWA5-2)
Take 2 is on “Memories of ELVIS” (MWA5-9085)

Glen Spreen: was on Organ. And also Arranger at the 1st overdub session.

OVERDUB SESSION (RCA HOLLYWOOD) 21st June 1971 (Strings and Brass)

OVERDUB SESSION (RCA NASHVILLE) 26th July 1971 (Percussion & Bells by Farrell Morris)

OVERDUB SESSION (RCA ???) DATE ???
(Background Vocals: Millie Kirkham/Ginger Holiday/Templer Riser & Imperials)
(seems some session papers are still missing for the Backing Voices and Choir)

OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

2 minutes 47 seconds.
Very soft start, with the piano and Elvis coming in with the first verse - of this very well known XMAS HYMN.

The Imperials sing with him on the first part, with very little else in the backing, after this the strings are added, in a short passage, then drum beats becoming very forceful and rising quickly,

~ and suddenly a Female Choir (Millie Kirkham, Templer Riser and Ginger Holiday) shout “SING” a split second after Elvis on one channel -

~it echoes slightly between the left and right of my speakers.

The rest of the song is with everyone singing the song, and the Strings Orchestration, Trumpets, Drums and a few Bells all joining and adding to the Increasing Blend of the Number.

~ which has the same rising CRESCENDO with the Choir of voices WOW! - No wonder it says Arranged by ELVIS PRESLEY on the label, this is certainly a very ambitious treatment for such a traditional number: The Gradual rising of Increasing Volume of Voices as it all progresses towards the Ultimate Climax Ending.

Very uplifting.. I always reach to up the volume on the word “SING” - a wonderful production number.

A rare version of this is contained on this CD/LP. I am not sure that it has been released anywhere else...

Click to view attachment

Nice info as always Rex

additional info:

O come all ye faithful - take 2 was released on: Memories of Christmas CD from 1983; Merry Christmas CD from 1984 and on the import CD with the same title.

The song is also known as "Adeste fideles" and recorded for the first time on 29-09-1899 by an unknown chime player on Berliner 0559; the first vocal recording I've found was recorded on 29-11-1899 by Lyric Trio & William Hooley (Berliner 0771-0). A whole army of recording artists will follow.

colonel snow.

QUOTE (colonel snow @ Dec 27 2009, 04:10 PM)

additional info:
O come all ye faithful - take 2 was released on: Memories of Christmas CD from 1983; Merry Christmas CD from 1984 and on the import CD with the same title.
The song is also know as "Adeste fideles" and recorded for the first time on 29-09-1899 by an unknown chime player on Berliner 0559; the first vocal recording I've found was recorded on 29-11-1899 by Lyricr Trio & Willima Hooley (Berliner 0771-0). A whole army of recording artists will follow.
colonel snow.

Thanks for the Input "Chris"
Thankyou "COLONEL SNOW" for the Extra Info.. I wonder if we will ever find out when Elvis did record his Vocals ?
maybe it will be in Ernests next update of his A LIFE IN MUSIC (said to be in the works NOW!)

Really the production of this song happened over One Recording Session and at least 3 Overdub Sessions....
Since Elvis probably wasn't at 2 of these, really part of the Arrangement and overall sound of this song,
is as much down to the A&R Producer (Felton Jarvis) and the Engineers (Al Pachucki, Mickey Crofford)

~ but for me the Power of all the Voices Blending with Elvis' Vocal is what sets this song on a different level.

Over the years it has become my favourite Number on this Xmas Album,
a song I will often Repeat play.. that really moves me. !

LYRICS.

"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
(traditional, arranged by Elvis Presley)

O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the lord

S I N G... choirs of angels
Sing in exaltation
Oh sing all ye rivals
Of heaven above
Glory to god, glory in the highest
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the lord

I always had the feeling that the master take 1 was edited comparing a longer version as take 2 but I never found any proof of it.


colonel snow

Thanks for all the information on this beautiful Chrismas song. Perfect time of year for the review on it, Rex!!!
Thanks to Chris and Colonel Snow for their input. I love the song, too!!!

Love this one...Sounds like Elvis in church singing with everyone..Hope you know what I mean by that

The choir is amazing on this..Always brings a tear to my eye

Thanks
Lorraine

Thanks Rex. Fine job as always!

My favorite of all of Elvis' Christmas recordings. An amazing, even courageous treatment. The orchestra and background singers take this Christmas "hymn" into a new area. IMHO, Elvis doesn't recieve enough credit for the creativity of this song. I enjoy hearing this one even in the middle of summer!

M-M