Related article...

How Great Thou Art, We Shall Have Acclamation . . . Over the weekend, I was watching an unofficial release of outtakes taken from the 1972 documentary, Elvis On Tour. Such rarities and outtakes included on the disc, not included in the then original release, was a beautiful live version of Elvis performing How Great Thou Art. The musical chemistry between him and his backing group was just amazing. I could not help but raise the hairs on my neck to hear this performance, some thirty five years old, as powerful today as was when recorded. To have witnessed it live, a total treat and far more captivating then my dodgy bootleg. Yet, I listened and watched with acclamation. To see Elvis, slightly heavier then his Aloha performance, to follow some months later, performing in his beautiful Stud and Nail Ice Blue Suit, with ruffled hair, signing his heart out with a powerful song as How Great Thou Art, only he could perfect it. Other outtakes included an informal chat/interview with Elvis and the filming crew, talking informally about his music, and a complete recording of Always On My Mind. Such scenes likening to a Pandora's Box of footage to any fan. Some never before seen or heard in their entirety. As a fan of How Great Thou Art, I could not help returning to other versions of the song, on various other albums I have. The powerful and dramatic recording on the Live On Stage In Memphis album, 1975, to the historic versions from the final concerts of the Spring Tours 77 album and Elvis In Concert album. Could I choose a favourite? To simply answer, No. As I have stated before, Its almost impossible to choose a favourite song, let alone version of recording, each being unique. To favour, it's impossible, I think best to say, its dependable on the mood you are in at the time. Bringing me back to the 1972 version I watched, I could not help think, that to listen to this dramatic, religiously powerful song, sung by a heart pouring performer, only he could pull it off. Thirty five years on, I was moved. I could not help but consider, its justification to How Great He Is of an entertainer, that an Elvis entitled caption, How Great Thou Art, truly fitting. With the performance leaving a visual memory in my mind of the professionalism of his work, it was coincidence that I came across the above photograph. Elvis on stage at the Memphian Coliseum, doing as he did best, performing, pouring his heart out to the ever wanting fans, acknowledging their never ending loyalty. A man with no visual effects, stage gimmicks, but only him and his loyal musicians, making history. A humanistic performer that he was. It was then that I thought the caption truly fitting to this image, Elvis. How Great Thou Art... Author and © of article: Darren Clinton (12/11/07). Image courtesy of www.elvismatters.com, with accreditation to Nancy De Fleurquin.