Track Listing

1. How Great Thou Art
2. In The Garden
3. Somebody Bigger Than You And I
4. Farther Along
5. Stand By Me
6. Without Him
7. So High
8. Where Could I Go But To The Lord
9. By And By
10. If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side
11. Run On
12. Where No One Stands Alone
13. Crying In The Chapel

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29252 in Music
• Released on: 2003-03-22
• Number of discs: 1

CD Description
Elvis Presley won three Grammy awards during his lifetime, all for his gospel performances. The 1967 album HOW GREAT THOU ART, a collection of fourteen sacred songs drawn largely from the standards of the genre, was his third gospel recording and his first Grammy winner. While Presley's previous gospel album, 1960's HIS HAND IN MINE, stayed within the vocalquartet tradition Presley had loved as a child, HOW GREAT THOU ART places greater emphasis on Elvis' solo voice, framedby a larger church choir.
Friends and musical associatesoften remarked that Presley was happiest when singing gospel music. HOW GREAT THOU ART supports their claims; throughout the album, Presley sounds completely at ease with the material. The King's versatility serves him well here, as the material ranges from footstompers ("By and By") to sweet ballads ("Crying in the Chapel", "In the Garden") to the near-operatic title track and a similarly dramatic reading of "WhereNo One Stands Alone". The final track, "Peace In The Valley", was recorded for a 1957 gospel EP of the same title.

Customer Reviews

Classic gospel album
A classic Elvis Presley album, cut at the May 1966 studio sessions in Nashville, the first under the supervision of producer Felton Jarvis, who would be fundamental in the latter part of Elvis' career. Released amidst a series of formula movie soundtracks, the inspired "How Great Thou Art" appeared as a beacon of hope and the harbinger of artistic revitalization that would eventually result in Elvis' comeback of 1968/69.
The album, grouping 12 traditional religious songs recorded at the May 1966 session, plus "Crying In The Chapel" from 1960, is a treat from start to end. Outstandingly sung and superbly crafted, it earned Elvis a Grammy Award. Highly recommended.

Music
In 1966 the Beatles broke new ground with the legendary "Revolver"; and in turn Brian Wilson came up one better with "Pet Sounds."

But whilst all this was going on, Elvis eased into the studio, away from Hollywood and efortlessly made the masterful "How Great Thou art."

This is a classic album of gospel standards, performed by a man who never had to try, it just happened.

The title track is astonsishing, gently sung with wonderful arrangement and backing, whilst "Run On" is fast paced and edgy.

"Crying in The Chapel" is a bonus track from 1961; this was a huge huge hit in 65; #1 in Britain and #3 in America, selling millions.

This is a great multi-platinum album, and is music making at it's finest.

CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT!!!
I'm so addicted to this CD it isn't funny.

I know when most people think of Elvis Presley they think of Rock N'Roll, but he was a very talented and versatile entertainer and did manage to do some spirituals as well. This one in particular is my favourite, and I like to play it when I'm dressing for work in the morning which allows the music to stay in my head right through the day.

Sung with deep devotion with that smooth velvet voice; I just
cannot resist:-
1.Somebody Bigger Than You and I
2.Farther Along
3.Stand By Me
4.If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side
5.Where No One Stands Alone
and the beat goes on.

I love this CD and recommend it for those who have not tried the spiritual side of Elvis. A wonderful gift for a friend!!!

Heather P. Marshall