Tag Archives: D. J. Fontana

Elvis Presley: Jailhouse Rock

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On October 30, 1957, “RCA Victor” label released “Jailhouse Rock”, an EP by Elvis Presley, featuring songs from the movie of the same name. It was recorded April – May 1957, at “Radio Recorders” in Hollywood, and was produced by Jeffrey Alexander.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Presley – vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, electric bass
  • Scotty Moore – electric lead guitar
  • Bill Black – double bass, electric bass
  • D. J. Fontana – drums

The Jordanaires

  • Gordon Stoker – backing vocals
  • Neal Matthews – backing vocals
  • Hoyt Hawkins – backing vocals
  • Hugh Jarrett – backing vocals
  • Dudley Brooks – piano
  • Thorne Nogar – engineer
  • Fred Mulculpin – engineer
  • Mike Stoller – piano, production assistant
  • Jerry Leiber – production assistant

Track listing:

  1. Jailhouse Rock – Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
  2. Young and Beautiful – Aaron Schroeder, Abner Silver
  3. I Want to Be Free – Jerry Leiber, Ben Weisman
  4. Don’t Leave Me Mow (movie version) – Aaron Schroeder, Ben Weisman
  5. (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care – Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

Elvis Presley: Elvis Is Back

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On April 8, 1960, “RCA Victor” label released “Elvis Is Back!”, the fourth Elvis Presley studio album. It was recorded March – April 1960, at “RCA Victor Studio B” in Nashville, and was produced by Steve Sholes and Chet Atkins.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Presley – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Scotty Moore – electric guitar
  • Hank Garland – electric guitar, electric bass
  • Floyd Cramer – piano
  • Bob Moore – double bass
  • D. J. Fontana – drums, percussion
  • Buddy Harman – drums, percussion
  • Boots Randolph – saxophone
  • The Jordanaires – backing vocals
  • Charlie Hodge – harmony and backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Make Me Know It – Otis Blackwell
  2. Fever – John Davenport, Eddie Cooley
  3. The Girl of My Best Friend – Beverly Ross, Sam Bobrick
  4. I Will Be Home Again – Bennie Benjamin, Raymond Leveen, Louis C. Singer
  5. Dirty, Dirty Feeling – Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller
  6. Thrill of Your Love – Stan Kesler
  7. Soldier Boy – David Jines, Theodore William Jr.
  8. Sucha Night – Lincoln Chase
  9. It Feels So Right – Fred Wise, Ben Weisman
  10. Girl Next Door Went A-Walking – Bill Rice, Thomas Wayne
  11. Like a Baby – Jesse Stone
  12. Reconsider Baby – Lowell Fulson

Elvis Presley: How Great Thou Art

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On February 27, 1967, “RCA Victor” label released “How Great Thou Art”, the eighth Elvis Presley studio album. It was recorded October 1960 – May 1966, at “RCA Studio B” in Nashville, and was produced by Felton Jarvis. The album won “Grammy Award” for “Best Sacred Performance”.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Presley – vocals
  • The Jordanaires – vocals
  • The Imperials – vocals
  • Millie Kirkham – vocals
  • Dolores Edgin – vocals
  • June Page – vocals
  • Scotty Moore – guitar
  • Chip Young – guitar
  • Charlie McCoy – guitar, bass, harmonica
  • Pete Drake – pedal steel guitar
  • Floyd Cramer – piano
  • David Briggs – piano, organ
  • Henry Slaughter – piano, organ
  • Boots Randolph – saxophone
  • Rufus Long – saxophone
  • Bob Moore – double bass
  • Henry Strzelecki – double bass
  • D. J. Fontana – drums, tambourine
  • Buddy Harman – drums, timpani

Track listing:

  1. How Great Thou Art – Stuart K. Hine
  2. In the Garden – C. Austin Miles
  3. Somebody Bigger Than You and I – Hy Heath, Sonny Burke, Johnny Lange
  4. Farther Along – traditional, arranged by Elvis Presley
  5. Stand by Me – traditional, arranged by Elvis Presley
  6. Without Him – Mylon LeFevre
  7. So High – traditional, arranged by Elvis Presley
  8. Where Could I Go but to the Lord – James B. Coats
  9. By and By – traditional, arranged by Elvis Presley
  10. If the Lord Wasn’t Walking by My Side – Henry Slaughter
  11. Run On – traditional, arranged by Elvis Presley
  12. Where No One Stands Alone – Mosie Lister
  13. Crying in the Chapel – Artie Glenn