Suspicious Minds - Mark James 1968 Rare Original Version

[Ria7343]

Bobby Winder was a very close friend of Mark James, (Francis Zambone). They played together in Marks band.  Bobby died about 7 years ago. I sat next to Mark and his wife, Karen, at Bobby's funeral. Bobby was a great person with the most fun personality of just about anybody I've ever met. His wife, Antoinette, and I are still friends. I grew up next door to Mark in the 50's. Those were great years to grow up in. ..... Ria Gayle

[phishfearme2]

this is a relly good version of mark's great song - shows to go you what a big name can do for a good writers tune.

[ElvisFreak77]

There are two artists that can sing this song, BJ Thomas and Elvis Presley nobody else!

[CBRADIOLOVER]

@ElvisFreak77 Apparently you havent heard dwight yoakum's version... it rocks.

[bishopaz]

thumbs up.a rare treat indeed.

[lonzodaman]

Finally I found the original, many, many, thanks to you.

[wallofvideo]

elvis stuck rather close to the original, didn't he? all that's missing here is the swinging hips & the parenthetical "shove it up your nose."

[whitefalcon64]

It exists also a take with only an accoustic guitar, really cool !!

[monsieur2009]

thank you i wanted to hear this version .......for long time

[doglips1958]

Great song.It's just damned hard comparing anyone's voice to Elvis.THANKS.

[krushnoi]

I believe the same band backed Elvis as on this recording. Don't be too sad for Mark I'm sure he got plenty of royalties for Elvis's later hit version, unless Col. Parker and RCA screwed him out of those.

[Zecalran]

@krushnoi well you know the colonel! Elvs greedy barbaric manager! :))

[Clarencenash1]

@krushnoi Yes, this is the same group of studio musicians that did this, the BJ Thomas and the Elvis Presley versions of this great song. They are also called the 827 Thomas St. Band...and the Memphis boys. They consist of Reggie Young on guitar, Chips Moman on guitar, Gene Chrisman on drums and percussion, Bobby Woods on piano, Bobby Emmons on keyboards,, and Tommy Cogbill and Mike Leech on bass. All 3 versions, Marks, BJ's and Elvis's were produced by Chips Moman.

[Clarencenash1]

@Clarencenash1 By the way, hi Mark! Havent seen you since the Memphis days at American.

[GrazingGoat66]

This is rarer than Rocking Horse shit!!!! Thanks for posting!!! Only time I have heard a clip of this song before was at the Rock "n Soul Museum in Memphis back in 2006 where they had the original Mark James lyrics, piano and guitar that he composed "Suspicious Minds" on, all on display.

Greatest song ever written and James is one of the upper echelon of Songwriters.

[babyzoey2010]

Just to clarify a point you made - James did release Suspicious Minds as a single in 1968.....it was on Scepter 12221.....I know because I have a copy sitting right here in front of me.

[SPARTANBOY03]

Very cool , i didnt know that about this song, thats interesting . Thanx for the song facr and history behind it . Elvis #1

[my45rpmsingles]

This is in my mind much better than Elvis' version. His version sounds a bit pretentious compared to this one.

[Schuch1963]

@my45rpmsingles

No way! MarK James' voice comes no where close to Elvis'. But what a great song writter. Give him credit for that totally.

[engstirn25]

this one seems much better than elvis' version.... great! so glad for that song!!1

[davekm43]

Love the Elvis version wich is the best, but this is quite brilliant.

[fatmnkypants]

Guy is a great songwriter, but Elivs transformed a similar arrangement recorded with the same producer and musicians from a flop single into a masterpiece classic.

btw- James was a songwriter first and foremost- his releasing a single is a novelty- he made his living presenting songs to singers like Elvis and sent several songs to Elvis. there is no copying or stealing involved. James WANTED this and Moman who James worked for and has corights with him presented the song to EP

[fatmnkypants]

It was presented to Elvis by Chips Moman who produced the sessions -Mark James worked for as a writer. Chips held the publishing and produced James version also. James wrote for Elvis several songs over the years. He was a proffessional songwriter and made his living from others singing his songs- the best thing that ever happened to him was Elvis liking his style. btw- amazing how Elvis transformed a similar arangement by the same producer from an avg sounding flop single into a masterpiece

[zfloid44]

By the way, it's out on CD. yeah

[seantivenan]

On the subject of Elvis "stealing " others music its only theft if the song writer asked the artist NOT to perform the song surely, which i'm sure MJ wouldn't have done.When Carl Perkins was asked to comment on Elvis "stealing" his song Blue suede shoes Perkins said thank god he did I made a lot of money out of it. The song writers get a bigger royalty share than the performers, If I was an unknown song writer in the 60s and Elvis wanted to cover one of my songs I'd be a very happy man

[suziesbro]

Just to clarify for those who don't know the ins and outs of the music business, both the Mark James and Elvis versions of Kentucky Rain were produced by Chips Moman in Memphis. There is a lot more to the story, and Elvis made the final decision to do the track--much to Col. Tom's consternation since Hill & Range did not own publishing, but EP finally made a decision on his own, went with Chip (who is responsible for all the pieces and overdubs) and found a hit. No copy-cat. Just realities.

[DRGARITA]

en realidad cantaba lo que quería... es màs yo pienso q los artistas se sentian orgullosos de q el Rey cantara las canciones de ellos..

[bishopaz]

this is so cool. thank you my friend

[kathryn8169]

i like this version.very nice mark thank you for giving it to elvis,no wonder he recorded it.he didnt have to change it much to make it his own

[escregion13]

Nice, knew Mark wrote this, but never heard this version.

[ianjrivers]

Musically very similar to Elvis's version, so I guess Elvis leaned very heavily on this version for his own.

[geenerbob]

I like this version. Very cool. Very natural sound.

[tenniscollector]

My friend,

The TALKING ABOUT ELVIS book (tutti frutii) states James had recorded "Moody Blue" first as a demo but then Mercury records decided to release it on a single 45rpm in 1974.

He added that the song reached number 2 on the South African music charts.

I wish the guy who says he knows James and posted earlier on here will make good on his request to upload more MJ stuff particularly and including MOODY BLUE. You there my friend?!!!

[tenniscollector]

DON'T TELL ME !!!!

Do you know I just sent the other two songs links on a elvis messageboard and just finished saying that "moody blue" would be soon uploded. AAAArrrrrggggghhhhh

No I don't believe MB was merely a demo. James had it out on a single in 1975. I read it somewhere. So a single of it must exist somewhere.

[tenniscollector]

sure upload MOODY BLUE if you have it. It'll be fascinating to hear if Elvis followed the original lyrics or omited any on his later recording. Or if the arrangements were different.

[mapo69]

Sorry! I don't have it! MOODY BLUE by Mark James would be a home demo because James never released it himself on record. So having a home demo of that song would be quite rare unless I would be in the inner circle of Mark James which I'm not....I'm just a simple fan mate! Take care...MAPO!

[tenniscollector]

Jesus Bloody Christ. Does anyone out there have the original 1974 Moody Blue by Mark James. According to Mark, It did well on the south african charts when released on a 45!

[PCDRULEZZZ]

good version but not at all near Presley's

[edr1882]

But it's an original. Elvis made a career out of copying other artists songs wholesale! I can't understand for the life of me why some consider him to be the greatest thing to happen to music while all he did was covering other musicians songs.

[kathryn8169]

elvis is the greatest entertainer of the century because he had the whole package. the looks,the voice,the moves. he made a song his own. who cares? peope write songs so singers can sing them.he was unique.listen to in the ghetto! no one can sing a song with the same passion and emotion. so he didnt write his own songs and what?

[iowa61]

Your proposition is of course absurd. But what's really interesting is that while Elvis liked the demo arrangement and largely used it, in later years Mark James sounded more and more like Elvis' interpretation when he performed his own song.

[Zecalran]

@edr1882 because when Elvis did he did it better than the original people say maybe that's why. Mark james wrote this songs in the time when other people did pther people songs and it meant nothing because there was a love for music and not money! You can the love in Elvis voice when he sang this song! Mark JAmes wrote this song sang it and it didn't recieve he attention it garnered as when Elvis sang this song! The song was relatively unpopular before Elvis touched it!

[Shadesofblue1988]

It's not so much that he imposed himself on to others and stole it, much of the music was given to him to sing and record, if he felt he could do a better job singing it, he did it.

He's the greatest thing, since Elvis, not only did the musical industry change, but western culture. There's a reason his early recordings have been preserved by the national recording register, why not read up before spewing ignorance?

[edr1882]

Elvis was very talented obviously, but let's not pretend his talent alone is responsible for his fame. No musician has benefited from circumstances more than Elvis. True he did change the music industry. However, it was largely due to black musicians of that era not having the same opportunities due racism; which made him a bridge between subdued blacks artists and the mainstream audience. Example, do you know how many Little Richards songs became HUGE hits after Elvis covered?

[mofoca22]

@edr1882 man why are you here if you hate elvis so much?

[edr1882]

By the way, Richards performed waaay better; before 60 to 100 audience members. Elvis performed them before thousands of audiences that probably wouldn't have heard them if it wasn't for him. Like I said. He played the bridge and was rewarded tremendously for it. Do you know how many Elvis' hits are his original songs and not covers of other artists? You probably have no idea

[BabybluesLand]

to edr1882.."Elvis made a career out of copying.." Elvis was a performer and stylist and not a songwriter. In the 50´s they are a lot of only songwriters, who wrote songs for him. Original Elvis songs, because he recorded and sang it first. (Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, Don´t be cruel and so on ... are original Elvis songs.) He was great and groundbreaking as a stylist, creating his own style, early R&R, Rockabilly with old material, covers and "original" songs.

[mofoca22]

@edr1882 you dont understand because its obviosu you are jealous. elvis didnt steal music nor did he copy it he perfected  it and made singers and song writers lots of money. little richard goyt bigger after elvis because of elvis. elvis promoted little richards songs as little richards. i have concerts of elvis's from the 50's to back this up completely so you ed shoudl shut up and quit being an ass and ruining peoples enjoyment. seems like the only person who has a problem here is you

[ep1970]

Thanks for the posting always wanted to hear Mark James version of the song.

[mapo69]

Cool! I'd be curious to heard all this! Of course, if you're willing to share! :D

[Travpiety]

I have it. I'll post it and everything else you want to here that he recorded. Mark (Francis) is a good friend of the family. He recorded in his early days with my Dad. I have things no-one has heard.

[caprichosmorales]

Hey, Travpiety My dad built Galiano's house in Glenbrook Valley neighborhood in Houston. During the project, Galiano talked about Francis' future as a musician with a lot of pride mixed with some worry for the future. This was in 58 or 59 I think and who would have known back then, eh?

[Travpiety]

I've got every song Mark James and The Mark James trio did, including Moody Blue. I'll post it when I locate my CD

[Travpiety]

I think MAZ is Frances' first wife Shirley.  mcsbcd has to be Brian. Bobby did love you and so do we.

[JAARNO88]

Sounds close to the way elvis did it, tho elvis takes it to another level with his soulfull singing. I have always wondered about the fade out fade in on the elvis version, maybe they wanted to copy his stage version and the way he would bring it down and back again!

[mapo69]

I don't really know! It's possible!

[ThePuma1968]

@JAARNO88 He recorded it first, before he started to perform on stage again...

you can find the original version withoud fade at the end on my channel

I wonder about the fading too - I think the plan was to fade out but Elvis and the musicians were so into the song, just was too good to end it already :)

[ImarriedMAZ]

Mark's real name is Francis Zambon. Mark's music is classic and I love this original version. If you like this song, look up Francis Zambon - Our Love Will Last or you can also see Mark's tribute to Elvis: Mark James - Blue Suede Heaven.

[shakeahand1]

Great to hear this, Thanks for posting

[blobboflava]

Thanks for posting. This is excellent and I like this original version. It is a great song. Good version also by Dee Dee Warwick (recorded just after Elvis) and of cause the version by the FYC with Jimmy Sommerville as a background singer!

[calpicon]

Thanks so much for posting this here. For those reading this, don't forget to click on the (more info) button to get the great detailed explanation about this song. A classic!

[mcsbcd33]

But I know Marks Real Name Francis Zambone he is a super guy RIP Robert F Winder "Bobby"

[mapo69]

Who the hell is Robert F. Winder?? Any correlation with Mark James? Is he one of the other men in this pic? MAPO

[ThePurceB]

@mapo69 Just wanted to let you know Robert F. Winder was one of the Original band members of the Mark James Trio back in the 50's. They had a few hits Running Back was one of them. And he is also my father who died in May 2005. He an Mark James were really close. I hope this answered all you're questions.

[ImarriedMAZ]

Bobby Winder was a wonderful man. I can't believe he is gone. He was dear friends of the Zambon's.

[mcsbcd33]

Bobby was my old boss off and on for 15 years ...He was like my second Dad I loved him ... how do you know Bobby??

[Travpiety]

He'll be gone 5 years on May 5th. I miss him so much.

[cmulwee001]

Yes, this arrangement is a lot like the(more famous) Elvis version, but this version seems to have more of a country sound, while Elvis's is more Straight Pop/easy rock

Nice to hear the original.

[Xtalllll]

Thanks for uploading this.

[mofoca22]

hell yeah its about time to hear the original of all originals great job mapo!

[mapo69]

Thanks mate! This wasn't easy to find! Took me a while to find this original version! Take care! :)

[chetta61]

great to hear this so glad he wrote this but Elvis owned it with his voice and soul

[AscendentInLeo]

This sounds more dated than Elvis version

[alois72]

thank you mark for this wonderful song !!!!!!!!!!

[Elp35]

This is wonderful to hear. Years ago, I heard on the radio Mark James' original version of "Moody Blue". Would you have that too? Thanks.

[mapo69]

Nope I'm sorry! This seems to be very rare to find and almost impossible to find!

[gjazz22]

the reggea band Heptones did a killer cover also!!!!!!

[haldenver]

very similiar.....apart from the genius emotion of Elvis.....

[musicmatty67]

very little change at all from Elvis version. Felton Jarvis didn't have to do anything on this song it seems...I don't think Felton Jarvis was all that as a producer. I think there were better producers for Elvis if he looked

[Elp35]

That's perhaps a little hard on Felton. It's often said that Elvis produced his records. Felton may therefore have just followed Elvis' orders at the end of the day. In any case, Elvis did often follow the original arrangements closely, but gave them a lift (eg I've Lost You, US Male etc).

[Clarencenash1]

@musicmatty67 Chips Moman produced 3 versions of this song with the same musicians, the 827 Thomas Street band (the address of American Recording Studio in Memphis), also known as the Memphis Boys. And no, Elvis did not produce his own version... Moman coached Presley all the way through the lyrics of this song.

[Dodo251]

Now this was a pleasant surprise. Well done uploading this video.

[ortabg]

bravo Mark!

[ehollier]

Thanks!!! I have always wanted to hear Mark James' version of this song that Elvis made so popular. I have to admit, Elvis did have a better sound on it!!!

[mapo69]

Thanks for the comment and I completely agree with what you're saying...Elvis just nailed this song! Take care! :D

[alois72]

thank you for this beautiful song mr. James !!!