The Today sessions were held in RCA's Studio C, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, March 10–12, 1975, and marked the last time Elvis Presley would ever record in a studio. The material (other than live songs) for his last two albums from Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN (1976) and Moody Blue (1977) were recorded at Graceland in the Jungle Room. Elvis last recorded at Studio C, Hollywood in 1972 where he recorded the gold records "Burning Love" and "Separate Ways". At this time, Elvis was 40 years old. He was accompanied by his then-current girlfriend, Sheila Ryan. In the 2005 FTD TODAY release from these sessions, Elvis asked her to "step up here Sheila, let me sing to ya baby" on Take 1 of "And I Love You So". He continued to make "And I Love You So" and "Fairytale" a part of his live concerts until his death. On stage, he often referred to "Fairytale" as the story of his life.

"Green Green Grass of Home" was a Top 30 single in the UK, and also received US airplay. Elvis first heard the song in 1967. Elvis was driving his bus back to Memphis after making another movie, and heard Tom Jones' new single "Green Green Grass of Home" for the first time and loved it. He had his "mafia" call the local AM station to make them replay it over and over again. Eight years later Elvis cut his own classic version of the Vietnam era "Green Green Grass of Home".

Today featured a new rock song "T-R-O-U-B-L-E", which was released as a single and went Top 40. The album also features covers of songs by Perry Como, Tom Jones, The Pointer Sisters, Billy Swan, Faye Adams, The Statler Brothers and Charlie Rich.

Track listing

1. "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" (#35 Hot 100/#11 Country/#42 Easy Listening/#31 UK)
2. "And I Love You So"
3. "Susan When She Tried"
4. "Woman Without Love"
5. "Shake A Hand"
6. "Pieces Of My Life" (#33 Country)
7. "Fairytale"
8. "I Can Help"
9. "Bringing It Back" (#65 Hot 100)
10. "Green Green Grass Of Home" (#29 UK)

Personnel

• Elvis Presley - vocals
• James Burton - guitar
• David Briggs - keyboards
• Buddy Spicher - fiddle
• Chip Young - guitar
• Millie Kirkham - background vocals
• Johnny Christopher - guitar
• Weldon Myrick - steel guitar
• Norbert Putnam - bass
• Mike Leech - bass
• Mary Holladay - background vocals
• Tony Brown - keyboards
• Ginger Holladay - background vocals
• Duke Bardwell - bass
• Ronnie Tutt - drums
• Charlie Hodge - guitar
• Glen Hardin - keyboards
• Jimmy Gordon - keyboards
• Lea Berinati - background vocals

References

1. http://www.softshoe-slim.com/lists/p/presley.html#46