Elvis Presley - If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side - From First Take To The Master

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On 25 May 1966 Elvis walked into a recording studio for the first time in almost two and a half years to record some songs which were not for the purpose of an upcoming movie or it's accompanying soundtrack album. The intention was that in the next five days or so was to achieve a new gospel album as a follow up to the successful "His Hand In Mine" and to complete two commercial tracks one of which, it was planned, would be a song for release as a Christmas single. As it turned out Elvis completed twelve songs of a religious flavour and a further six secular songs and although all but one of these, "Love Letters", were destined for album obscurity at least another "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" would become one of Elvis' finest recordings. However, it took a further mini-session in June for the Christmas track to be achieved as "IF Every Day Would Be Like Christmas" and two further songs were "Indescribably Blue" and "I'll Remember You" were recorded.
Of the twelve songs recorded in May 1966 for the new gospel album's place in history would be sealed with the title track, "How Great Thou Art" becoming the source of Elvis' first Grammy award. Although the other tracks on the album would become rather insignificant in comparison there were some high quality recordings amongst the others with "Where Could I Go But To The Lord?" chosen as part of the gospel segment of the '68 special.
Although never a song which could ever be anything than an album track "If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side" is a nice up tempo gospel track almost in the revival style with a super call and response with The Jordanaires and Imperials but at just over a minute and a half in length it feels as though it is over just as it begins to get going although Ray Walker's bass singing is a wonderful enhancement to the backing on this track. The song doesn't really challenge Elvis but he does sound as if he is having fun!
It was recorded in the early hours of 28 May 1966 but as the session began on the evening of 27 May that would be the official recording date. Although Elvis completed six takes, four of which were complete takes, he chose the fifth take as the master.

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!