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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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