Suspicious Minds - Mark James 1968 Rare Original Version

Rare but indeed true; Elvis wasn't the first one to record "Suspicious Minds"! It was rather Mark James himself (Francis Zambon of his real name), the songwriter, that did the very first recording of the song in 1968 on Scepter Label, one year before Elvis' famous version. This first version just went completely unnoticed but became a rock classic when Mr. Presley took a grab on it. Notice how the arrangements are very much simular to the one Elvis' has on his version. If you ever heard B.J. Thomas' version also, you will notice some similarities too! This is a rare version to find because it's out of print on CD now! The picture I put here is a rare one of Mark James in 2001 (he's between the two ladies). Hope all you Elvis maniacs appreciate it! :D

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Suspicious
• Minds
• Mark
• James
• 1968
• rare
• Elvis
• Presley
• Scepter

[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!

[mapo69]

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

[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!

[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

[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

[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!

[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.

[CBRADIOLOVER]

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

[ElvisFreak77]

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

[bishopaz]

thumbs up.a rare treat indeed.

[Clarencenash1]

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

[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.

[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.