new Elvis fans

The Mystery Train Presents: Along For The Ride

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ALONG FOR THE RIDE episode 1 is now available from The Mystery Train (underlying radio image created by generative AI)

We’ve been working on something here at The Mystery Train for the last six weeks, and I’m excited finally to be able to share it with you.

Not long after we saw Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert back in February, my bride came up with the idea for an online radio show or podcast that we would co-host on The Mystery Train. The concept grew directly out of real conversations we were already having after the film. Neither of us had ever done anything like this, so much research ensued.

The underlying idea of Along For The Ride is simple: My bride is literally along for the ride with a lifelong Elvis fan as her husband. She has now seen EPiC in theaters with me twice, and projects like that naturally spark questions for her. Along For The Ride gives you a chance to listen in on those unscripted conversations.

I am not an “Elvis expert.” However, I have been listening to his music, watching his performances and movies, and reading about him for just about my entire life. Her fresh perspective often helps me see Elvis and his world in new ways.

The first episode is embedded below or you can jump directly to YouTube.

Exclusive bonus for readers of The Mystery Train

All I had to say was, “. . . . Baz Luhrmann used audio from Bono of the band U2. . . .” That doesn’t sound so difficult, does it? Play my attempt below.

After EPiC: The Conclusion

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If you walked out of Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert wanting to hear more Elvis, The Mystery Train has been providing next steps for you through a series of album-length playlists.

Today’s final playlist covers 1969, a pivotal year for Elvis. He began by recording in a Memphis studio for the first time in well over a decade, continued by making his last movie as an actor, and finished by, as the EPiC teaser put it, returning “to the stage to begin a legendary residency in Las Vegas.” In EPiC, you actually saw his third engagement at the International Hotel, August 1970. In this playlist, you hear highlights from the first engagement, August 1969, which was not filmed.

The playlist is embedded here. You can also find it directly on Spotify. Below the playlist, I have a few other suggestions.

Side A

01. Suspicious Minds
02. Power Of My Love
03. Any Day Now
04. Don’t Cry Daddy
05. Kentucky Rain
06. In The Ghetto
07. Rubberneckin’
08. Change Of Habit

Side B: Live-Las Vegas

09. Blue Suede Shoes
10. Johnny B. Goode
11. My Babe
12. Mystery Train/Tiger Man
13. Are You Laughing Tonight
14. Suspicious Minds
15. Can’t Help Falling In Love

Also available: The complete After EPiC playlist on Spotify, combining all four segments.

Spotify plays additional music without warning after a playlist ends. Anything that follows “Can’t Help Falling In Love” is Spotify guessing what you might want to hear next.

Other Suggestions

While you wait for EPiC to be released on home media, my main viewing suggestion for you is Elvis: That’s The Way It Is – Special Edition. It covers rehearsals and Las Vegas shows in 1970. Outtakes from the original version of this documentary were featured prominently in EPiC. While it lacks Luhrmann’s signature style and Jonathan Redmond’s brilliant editing, the movie includes the same Elvis talent and charisma you experienced in EPiC.

If you want to read more about Elvis, I recommend Elvis Presley: A Life In Music – The Complete Recording Sessions by Ernst Jorgensen (1998), Last Train To Memphis: The Rise Of Elvis Presley, covering 1935-1958, by Peter Guralnick (1994), and Careless Love: The Unmaking Of Elvis Presley, covering 1958-1977, by Guralnick (1999). While not without their flaws, they remain the best Elvis books to date.

Finally, if you want to dive even deeper into playlists beyond After EPiC, check out The Mystery Train’s Elvis Odyssey series. While After EPiC concludes in 1969, The Elvis Odyssey begins there.

If you have any questions, please comment below or contact me. Thank you for reading and listening.

After EPiC: Elvis in 1954-1968

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Today, The Mystery Train offers another next step for those who came away from Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert wanting to hear more Elvis.

Elvis Presley performing in Burbank for the ELVIS television special on June 29, 1968 (NBC)

Elvis Presley performing in Burbank for the ELVIS television special on June 29, 1968 (NBC)

EPiC included a brief overview of Elvis’ career prior to the 1970s concerts featured in the film. Taking a similar approach, this album-length playlist covers his first record, early hits, movie years, and 1968 “comeback” television special. One more installment remains after this one, where I’ll share another playlist along with a few additional suggestions.

The 1954-1968 playlist is embedded below. You can also find it directly on Spotify.

Side A

01. That’s All Right
02. Mystery Train
03. Heartbreak Hotel
04. I Was The One
05. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
06. Hound Dog
07. Don’t Be Cruel
08. Love Me
09. One Night

Side B

10. Jailhouse Rock
11. Are You Lonesome Tonight
12. Reconsider Baby
13. Little Sister
14. Viva Las Vegas
15. Run On
16. Edge Of Reality
17. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Live-Burbank)
18. If I Can Dream

Spotify begins playing additional music without warning after a playlist ends. Anything after “If I Can Dream” is Spotify guessing what you might want to hear next.

You might also enjoy After EPiC: Elvis in 1969.

After EPiC: Elvis in 1972

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Elvis Presley performing at the Greensboro Coliseum on April 14, 1972 (MGM)

Elvis Presley performing at the Greensboro Coliseum on April 14, 1972 (MGM)

For those who came away from Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert wanting to hear more Elvis, this post continues The Mystery Train’s series of next steps.

1972 was another key year featured in EPiC. As Elvis attempted to manage personal challenges, including the breakup of his marriage, he found success in the studio and on the road. This 1972 playlist is designed as one album’s worth of listening. In the coming weeks, I’ll continue sharing album-length playlists exploring other eras of Elvis’s career.

The playlist is embedded below. You can also find it directly on Spotify.

Side A

01. Burning Love
02. Separate Ways (Take 25)
03. Proud Mary (Live-San Antonio)
04. Polk Salad Annie (Live-Richmond)
05. It’s Over (Live-Las Vegas)
06. Are You Lonesome Tonight (Live-Hampton Roads)
07. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Live-Hampton Roads)
08. For The Good Times (Take 3)

Side B

09. Johnny B. Goode (Takes 1-3)
10. Young And Beautiful (Rehearsal)
11. You Gave Me A Mountain (Live-Las Vegas)
12. It’s Impossible (Live-Las Vegas)
13. A Big Hunk O’ Love (Live-Las Vegas)
14. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Live-Greensboro)
15. I Can’t Stop Loving You (Live-New York City)
16. Always On My Mind (Take 3)

Spotify will begin playing additional music without warning after a playlist ends. So, anything after “Always On My Mind” is Spotify guessing what you might want to hear next.

You might also enjoy After EPiC: Elvis in 1954-1968.

So, You Liked EPiC. Now What?

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If you walked into Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert curious and came away wanting to hear more Elvis, this post is for you.

Deciding what to try next in Elvis’ vast catalog can be confusing. Single disc releases tend to focus on well-worn greatest hits, while deeper exploration often requires navigating massive box sets.

As a next step, may I instead recommend this simple playlist of select studio outtakes, rehearsals, and live performances from 1970?

Featured in EPiC, 1970 was a remarkable year for Elvis both in the studio and on stage. This playlist is designed as one album’s worth of listening, enough to enjoy an evening with Elvis. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a few more album-length playlists exploring other eras of Elvis’s career.

The playlist is embedded below. You can also find it directly on Spotify.

After EPiC: Elvis in 1970

Side A
01. Patch It Up (Take 1)
02. I’ve Lost You (Take 1)
03. How The Web Was Woven (Take 1)
04. Little Sister/Get Back (Rehearsal)
05. Baby, Let’s Play House (Rehearsal)
06. I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water (Rehearsal)

Side B
07. Polk Salad Annie (Rehearsal)
08. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (Live)
09. Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Live)
10. One Night (Live)
11. Suspicious Minds (Live)
12. Just Pretend (Live)

Keep in mind that one of the quirks of Spotify is that it will begin playing additional music without warning after a playlist ends. So, anything after “Just Pretend” is Spotify guessing what you might want to hear next.

You might also enjoy After EPiC: Elvis in 1972.