Two of Elvis' best albums came out in 1975, so why do writers and critics often dismiss this part of his career? "Promised Land", released in February '75, contained some of his best country and rock 'n' roll tracks of the decade. "Today" is of similar quality. The opener, "T-R-O-U-B-L-E", is known to many via the Travis Tritt remake, but there's no doubt in my mind who owns this song. The piano is much more prominent in Elvis' version, giving it a bit of a Jerry Lee Lewis feel. Elvis rips through this one with the ferocity associated with his 50's recordings. Things get much gentler with the second track, "And I Love You So", written by Don McLean. Perry Como had the hit version of this song, but Elvis' is special, full of the feeling of new love. "Susan When She Tried" is upbeat country, with prominent vocal backup from Voice (the group Elvis put together just to sing with him). "Woman Without Love" is a sad country ballad, with nice pedal steel and strings. "Shake a Hand" brings out Elvis the soul/gospel singer, it's a song from the 50's, and almost feels like being at a revival meeting down south. Makes you feel better just listening to it. "Pieces of My Life" is just the opposite, a regret-laden lament of life's sorrows, it feels like Elvis is baring his soul to us with this song. Elvis was not a songwriter, but he seemed to be searching for songs in the 70's that said what he needed to say. "Fairytale", a hit for the Pointer Sisters, is the one Elvis introduced onstage as "the story of my life". Once again, the vocal backup is prominent, and the country feel is evident with steel guitar and fiddles. "I Can Help" was a #1 hit for Billy Swan, a longtime fan of Elvis, so it's only natural that "the king" did his own version, complete with surprise ending. "Bringing it Back" was the second single off the album, and flopped. Don't ask me why, it's a catchy country/pop tune that stays in my head long after the cd has ended. "Green, Grass of Home" was a hit for Tom Jones many years before, and a longtime favorite of Elvis'. Elvis stays close to Jones' arrangement, overall the sound here is dominantly country. In fact, Elvis was selling bigger to the country audience than the pop crowd at this stage of his career. "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" was top 10 on the country singles chart, while only #35 on the pop chart. The album itself was another #1 country seller for Elvis, and also the last proper studio recordings he ever made. His final studio albums would be recorded at his home Graceland in Memphis.

This Elvis album was recorded in March 1975. This was the last time RCA Records managed to drag Elvis into a recording studio. Any albums released after this were either live albums, or they were recorded in a makeshift studio in Elvis' own house. Elvis had lost his love for recording at this point. He recorded the bare minimum number of songs required for this album, and did far less takes than he usually did. He used to be a perfectionist who would perform a song over and over until it was pefect, but by this point he would just perform a song a few times until it was "close enough". Despite that, the album is still pretty good. There isn't a bad song here, especially compared to some of the junk Elvis recorded for his film soundtracks. "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" is my personal favorite here, but all the songs have something to offer. I recommend this album to Elvis fans.

This has to be one of his best ever!...Elvis..his voice strong ,pure raw power.This album is very underated

Elvis Presley's final sessions at RCA Studios would yield one of his best latter-day albums. "Today" (1975) opens with The King's classic rocker "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" and concludes with a heartfelt rendition of "Green Green Grass of Home." In between are the introspective "Pieces of My Life," a rollicking cover of Billy Swan's "I Can Help" and the gospel-influenced "Shake a Hand." Throw in some up-tempo country such as "Susan When She Tried" and you have a memorable display of Presley's eclectic mastery. Another underrated gem in the Elvis catalog.

when this album was released, elvis was 40 yrs old, and going thru a lot of issues in his life, his voice quality is up to par, and t-r-0-u-b-l-e, was a great rock tune.....how ever,as much as the release was good,...the quadraphonic release of the 8 track, and album, was much better, all of the unnessary back up vocals, and sweetening of the music by felton jarvis was eliminated....hopefully r.c.a-b.m.g...will release some of the quad out takes..!