Elvis Complete Singles UK and USA 10 Mystery Train

Elvis Complete Singles UK and USA 10: Mystery Train.

This was the B Side of SUN 215 and was the last song to be released on the Sun label and I must say that he went out with a bang because it’s a fantastic song. The song had been out on the Sun label in a bluesy version by its co-writer Little Junior Parker.

 Little Junior Parker’s version is a bit slower and you really hear the blues of the lyrics, Elvis’s version really has that driving rhythm that imitates the sound of a train howling off into the distance.. As a massive Elvis fan I also love the part at the end where Elvis lets out a whoop because you can really tell how much he enjoys the song and so I really enjoy it as well.

Also another reason why I love the song is the echo in the room because this is really the last time that you hear that because RCA attempted it didn’t sound as good as the Sun tunes. Another big difference in the song because it is from the SUN sound is the fact that is just the small band of Elvis Scotty, Bill and drummer Johnny Bernero whereas the RCA singles used more complicated arrangements.

PS: RCA having brought Elvis’s contract in November 1955 for the unheard of price of £35000 then proceeded to reissue Elvis’s sun records these had subtly different versions, often with more echo. What I find interesting about the Sun records is they weren’t reissued for a long time in the UK because the H.M.V discography begins with Heartbreak Hotel.

Thanks 45 Cat.com