Almost - Elvis Presley

> **The _saddest part_ of all is knowing... we almost went _all the way._**

In the early hours of October 24th, 1968, at United Western Recorders in Hollywood, **Elvis Presley** recorded [Almost](https://youtu.be/ZBTqi6x7F1s ""). This undubbed master, far superior to the overdubbed release by RCA Camden on the _Lets Be Friends_ compilation album in 1970, captures a moment of raw artistry. Stripped of additional layers, the track almost feels like a solo performance, yet its enriched by the subtle, masterful piano work of Wrecking Crew musician **Don Randi**. Having contributed to several Presley sessions that year with notable tracks like [If I Can Dream](https://youtu.be/u-pP_dCenJA "") and [Lets Forget About The Stars](https://youtu.be/gpfUn29ICPw ""), Randis touch adds profound depth to the music.

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**Transpose by -5**
**Tempo: 126 BPM**

[tu] - [yi] - [YI] - [8uo] - w - [tp] -- [Yra] --- Y - s - [8uod] - w s [tuod] - s - [euod] - [us] - [wuo] -- u - [8u] -- [wo] -- [^Euos] -- [IS][$*] -- [48ipsd] - q ---- [9ip] e [tg] - [WOqif] -- y - d - [8wuo] -- [WO0rf] -- [eyupd] - [tups] -- u - [etyio] - [9yio] - e - t - [wryioad] -- s - a - [8wuos] - t ---- u - i - I - [8uo] -- [wt] - [up] - [0ua] -- r - [us] - [8ud] - [us] - t [ud] [us] - [wud] s [uo] - t - u - [8uo] -- [wt] -- [6e] - [up] - e a s - [9i] -- [9ey] -- q - T - y - u - [wi] -- [ry] - o - [Ow] -- [ry] - p - [5af] - [id] - [wr] - [if] d - [yif] d a - r - o - w - [riaf] d - [wrif] -- [id] - [yif] - d r - a o - [8f] -- l - [wk] -- j - [th] -- u - i - I - [8uo] -- [8wup] -- [0ua] -- r - [us] - [8ud] - [us] - [wt] [ud] s - [0d] s o - [wt] - u - [8u] -- [wtuos] -- [O0us] -- [WOuf] -- [qipd] -- y -- e -- y - [eip] - [qip] -- [yig] -- [WOif] -- y - [id] - [8uo] -- [tusf] -- [6eupd] - [us] - e - o - [4o] - o - q - o o - [5o] -- w - o - [S6ef] -- 0 -- e -- 0 - p - [9p] -- [ypg] - 9 - [wiaf] -- [ry] - d - [8h] -- [wosf] -- [6epd] - s -- [9o]-e-s-d-h - o - o -- o - w ip[ad]h -- [Yis] - a - s -- [%WODHs] - Y - [ODHs] - [Dt] - [YDl] -- O - [YDHs] --- [8ws]fh

Played by [**Stephen Morse**](https://youtu.be/nIu0aXYpK5s "")

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Elvis' vocal on this track is particularly striking, reflecting a period when he was reconnecting with his musical roots. This artistic revival found him in a revitalized voice while crafting soundtrack recordings for his later films.

_Lets Be Friends_ features nine tracks, five originating from Elvis' 1969 sessions, showcasing a noticeable leap in quality over his earlier soundtrack work. Among those, Almost, from the film The Trouble with Girls (and How to Get into It), shines as a ballad that harkens back to the romantic 1920s, blending the evocative piano with Elvis' phrasing to create something truly timeless.

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**Almost** (Buddy Kaye-Ben Weisman)

Produced by Billy Strange \* Guitar: Jerry McGee, Morton Marker, Joseph Bobby Gibbons \* Piano: Don Randi \* Bass: Max Bennett \* Drums: Frank Carlson, John Guerin