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Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters

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Walk A Mile In My Shoes: The Essential 70s Masters
Box set by
ReleasedOctober 10, 1995 (1995-10-10)
RecordedFebruary 1970 – June 1977
GenreRock, pop, country, R&B
Length6:12:11
LabelRCA Records
ProducerErnst Mikael Jorgensen
Roger Semon
Elvis Presley chronology
Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II
(1995)
Walk A Mile In My Shoes: The Essential 70s Masters
(1995)
Elvis 56
(1996)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
MusicHound[2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[3]
Rough Guides[4]

Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters is a five-disc box set compilation of the recorded work of Elvis Presley during the decade of the 1970s. It was released in 1995 by RCA Records, catalog number 66670-2, following similar box sets that covered his musical output in the 1950s and both his non-soundtrack and soundtrack work of the 1960s. This set's initial long-box release included a set of collectable stamps duplicating the record jackets of the LP albums on which the tracks in the box set were originally released by RCA. It also includes a booklet with an extensive session list and discography, as well as a lengthy essay by Dave Marsh, some of it excerpted from his 1982 book on Presley. The box set was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 15, 1999.

Contents

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The first two discs present the A and b sides of every single released in the United States by Presley during the decade, with the following exceptions: "Kentucky Rain" backed with "My Little Friend," and the b-side to "The Wonder of You," "Mama Liked the Roses," recorded in the 1960s; the gospel single "He Touched Me" b/w "Bosom of Abraham," and the gospel b-sides respectively to the singles "Life" and "If You Talk in Your Sleep," "Only Believe" and "Help Me," all four tracks already included on his first gospel compilation; and "Merry Christmas Baby" b/w "O Come All Ye Faithful", although the album version of the single can be found on disc four. His final two singles issued posthumously, the #22 "My Way" b/w "America the Beautiful" from November 1977, and "Unchained Melody" b/w "Softly As I Leave You" from February 1978, are also not included, although "Unchained Melody" is on the fifth disc, and versions of "My Way" and "Softly As I Leave You" are also on other discs in the set. Of the 23 American singles on these discs, 19 made the Top 40, with "The Wonder of You" and "Burning Love" also making the top ten. Included as well are four tracks issued at 45 rpm in Great Britain only: the top ten single "I Just Can't Help Believin'" b/w "How the Web Was Woven", the A-side "Green Green Grass of Home", and "Loving Arms", the British flip side to "My Boy." In the U.S., both sides of the British "I Just Can't Help Believin'" single had appeared as two LP tracks on That's the Way It Is, "Loving Arms" on Good Times, and "Green Grass" on Today.

Discs three and four compile studio tracks from various albums, with ten previously unreleased recordings or alternate takes. All but five of the 23 tracks on disc three originate from a single series of sessions, held over four days during June 1970, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. Facsimiles of the albums That's the Way It Is and "Elvis Country" can be assembled from tracks on this box, with the bulk of the two albums on this disc. Disc four continues highlights from 1971 through Presley's final studio session, at home in Graceland on October 30, 1976. It includes two songs by Bob Dylan, "I Shall Be Released" and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right", and a master studio take of the Sinatra signature song, "My Way."

The fifth disc approximates a Presley stage show typical to the era, taken mostly from shows in 1970 and 1972, with 21 songs running to about an hour. Eleven of the concert tracks are previously unreleased, "Reconsider Baby" and "I'll Remember You" originating from the matinee show at Madison Square Garden issued later in 1997 on An Afternoon in the Garden. The disc does not open, as Presley shows often did, with the introduction to Strauss' tone poem Also sprach Zarathustra, played by the backing orchestra to announce the entrance of Elvis. The rock and roll instrumental support consists of the TCB Band, in addition to Presley's usual coterie of back-up vocalists, and the orchestra led by Joe Guercio. The final five songs present a "rehearsal" for the show, deriving from informal recordings made at actual rehearsals at RCA Studios in Hollywood in preparation for Elvis: That's the Way It Is and for a summer 1974 engagement in Las Vegas.

RCA Records issued two similarly configured box set companions, one for the 1950s, and another for the 1960s, the former his complete known masters from that decade, and the latter set chronicling his non-soundtrack/non-gospel recordings from the second decade of his career. Additional two-disc sets featuring his complete gospel recordings and selections from his soundtracks were also issued under this series. Unlike the first two decades collections, however, the compilers of Walk a Mile in My Shoes chose not to collect every studio recording Presley made during his final decade, choosing to focus on the singles, a sampling of "studio highlights" and an example of his live work.

Professional studio recordings made at RCA Studio B in Nashville, RCA Studio C in Hollywood, Stax Studio in Memphis, and in the Jungle Room at Graceland. Live recordings from The International Hotel in Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden in New York City, the H.I.C. Arena in Honolulu, and the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Original recordings produced by Felton Jarvis. "Are You Sincere" recorded at Elvis' home in Palm Springs, California, and produced by Presley.

Purpose

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After the success of his television special in 1968, the album From Elvis in Memphis and the chart-topping single "Suspicious Minds" in 1969, Presley stopped making motion pictures, which had become central to his public identity in the 1960s, and concentrated on making music. During the course of the 1970s, in addition to the aforementioned singles, 41 Presley albums appeared in the U.S. prior to his death: seven new compilations from RCA, including The Sun Sessions; nine compilations on the budget RCA Camden label, including an altered reissue of the 1957 Christmas album; two additional compilations on the bargain-bin Pickwick label; four more reissues; six concert documents, including Having Fun with Elvis on Stage and the posthumous Elvis in Concert; and thirteen original albums of new material, with one Christmas LP and one gospel LP among them.

As seen from the chart positions in the discography, public reaction to Presley's output during this period was mixed, in part owing to the sheer volume of released items. Unlike the fifties box, Walk a Mile in My Shoes cherry-picks the material in three sections – commercial singles, choice album cuts, and live performance. Winnowing down the selections argues for the continued vitality of Presley's work in this period. As stated by Marsh in the liner notes:

Elvis' Seventies music has been picked at and picked over, issued and reissued, discussed, dissected, distorted, displayed, and dismissed. But it's only now, gathered into one place, that it kind of makes you gulp a bit to realize how productive he was in the last six years of his life...Certainly, Elvis' albums lack the structural integrity of some other artists recording in this period – which is one reason a box set such as this can in fact present a clearer picture of his music than weeding through all his discs one by one.[5]

Track listing

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Chart positions for albums from the Billboard 200; positions for singles from the Billboard Hot 100, except where noted. Certain tracks listed as unreleased on the insert card of the jewel cases are unedited masters of issued tracks, or without later overdubs; those are indicated with an asterisk and listed with the original issue information for the released master.

Disc one: The Singles

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Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Chart Peak
1. The Wonder of You Baker Knight 2:34 1970-02-18 1970-04-20 47-9835 #9
2. I've Lost You Alan Blaikley and Ken Howard 3:30 1970-06-04 1970-07-14 47–9873 #32
3. The Next Step Is Love Paul Evans and Paul Parnes 3:31 1970-06-07 1970-07-14 47-9873b
4. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me Vicki Wickham, Simon Napier-Bell, Pino Donaggio, Vito Pallavicini 2:30 1970-06-06 1970-10-06 47–9916 #11
5. Patch It Up Eddie Rabbitt and Rory Bourke 3:08 1970-06-08 1970-10-06 47-9916b
6. I Really Don't Want to Know Howard Barnes and Don Robertson 2:54 1970-06-07 1970-12-08 47–9960 #21
7. There Goes My Everything Dallas Frazier 2:58 1970-06-08 1970-12-08 47-9960b
8. Rags to Riches Richard Adler and Jerry Ross 1:54 1970-09-22 1971-02-03 47–9980 #33
9. Where Did They Go, Lord Dallas Frazier and A.L. "Doodle" Owens 2:27 1970-09-22 1971-02-03 47-9980b
10. Life Shirl Milete 3:10 1970-06-06 1971-05-25 47–9985 #53
11. I'm Leavin' Michael Jarrett and Sonny Charles 3:51 1971-05-20 1971-06-22 47–9998 #36
12. Heart of Rome Alan Blaikley, Ken Howard, Geoff Stephens 2:53 1970-06-06 1971-06-22 47-9998b
13. It's Only Love Mark James and Steve Tyrell 2:41 1971-05-20 1971-09-21 48–1017 #51
14. The Sound of Your Cry Bernie Baum, Bill Giant, Florence Kaye 3:17 1970-06-04 1971-09-21 48-1017b
15. I Just Can't Help Believin' Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann 4:34 1970-08-11 1971-11 2158 UK #6
16. How the Web Was Woven David Most and Clive Westlake 3:25 1970-06-05 1971-11 2158b
17. Until It's Time for You to Go Buffy Sainte-Marie 2:17 1971-05-17 1972-01-04 74–0619 #40
18. We Can Make the Morning Jay Ramsey 3:54 1971-05-20 1972-01-04 74-0619b
19. An American Trilogy Mickey Newbury 4:30 1972-02-16 1972-04-04 74–0672 #66
20. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Ewan MacColl 3:42 1971-03-15 1972-04-04 74-0672b
21. Burning Love Dennis Linde 2:50 1972-03-28 1972-08-01 74–0769 #2
22. It's a Matter of Time Clive Westlake 3:02 1972-03-29 1972-08-01 74-0769b
23. Separate Ways Red West and Richard Mainegra 2:36 1972-03-27 1972-10-31 74–0815 #20

Disc two: The Singles

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Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Chart Peak
1. Always on My Mind Johnny Christopher, Mark James, Wayne Carson 3:37 1972-03-29 1972-10-31 74-0815b
2. Fool Carl Sigman and James Last 3:30 1972-03-28 1973-03-04 74-0910b
3. Steamroller Blues James Taylor 3:04 1973-01-14 1973-03-04 74–0910 #17
4. Raised on Rock Mark James 2:38 1973-07-23 1973-09-22 APBO 0088 #41
5. For Ol' Times Sake Tony Joe White 3:36 1973-07-23 1973-09-22 APBO 0088b
6. I've Got a Thing About You Baby Tony Joe White 2:20 1973-07-22 1974-01-11 APBO 0196 #39
7. Take Good Care of Her Arthur Kent and Edward C. Warren 2:51 1973-07-21 1974-01-11 APBO 0196b
8. If You Talk in Your Sleep Red West and Johnny Christopher 2:34 1973-12-11 1974-05-10 APBO 0280 #17
9. Promised Land Chuck Berry 2:55 1973-12-15 1974-09-27 PB 10074 #14
10. It's Midnight Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Chesnut 3:21 1973-12-10 1974-09-27 PB 10074b
11. My Boy Bill Martin, Jean-Pierre Bourtrayre, Phil Coulter, Claude Francois 3:19 1973-12-13 1975-01-04 PB 10191 #20
12. Loving Arms Tom Jans 2:50 1973-12-13 1974-10 2548b
13. T-R-O-U-B-L-E Jerry Chesnut and Steve Tyrell 3:02 1975-03-11 1975-04-22 PB 10278 #35
14. Mr. Songman Donnie Sumner 2:07 1973-12-12 1975-04-23 PB 10278b
15. Bringing It Back Gregg Gordon 3:00 1975-03-12 1975-09-30 PB 10401 #65
16. Pieces of My Life Troy Seals 4:03 1975-03-12 1975-09-30 PB 10401b
17. Green Green Grass of Home Curly Putman 3:35 1975-03-10 1975-11 2635 UK #29
18. Thinking About You Tim Baty 3:00 1973-12-12 1975-01-04 PB 10191b
19. Hurt Jimmie Crane and Al Jacobs 2:06 1976-02-05 1976-03-12 PB 10601 #28
20. For the Heart Dennis Linde 3:22 1976-02-05 1976-03-12 PB 10601b
21. Moody Blue Mark James 3:22 1976-02-04 1976-11-29 PB 10857 #31
22. She Thinks I Still Care Dickey Lee 3:51 1976-02-02 1976-11-29 PB 10857b
23. Way Down Layng Martine Jr. 2:38 1976-10-29 1977-06-06 PB 10998 #18
24. Pledging My Love Don Robey and Ferdinand Washington 2:50 1976-10-29 1977-06-06 PB 10998b

Disc three: Studio Highlights 1970–1971

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Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original Issue Chart Peak
1. Twenty Days and Twenty Nights Scott Weisman and Clive Westlake 3:15 1970-06-04 1970-11-11 LSP 4445 That's the Way It Is #21
2. I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago Traditional 3:28 1970-06-04 1972-02-20 LSP 4460 Elvis Now #43
3. The Fool Naomi Ford and Lee Hazlewood 2:24 1970-06-04 1971-01-02 LSP 4671 "Elvis Country" #12
4. A Hundred Years from Now Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs 1:40 1970-06-04 previously unreleased
5. Little Cabin on the Hill Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt 1:47 1970-06-04 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
6. Cindy, Cindy Dolores Fuller, Buddy Kaye, Fred Wise, Ben Weisman 2:31 1970-06-04 1971-06-16 LSP 4530 Love Letters from Elvis #33
7. Bridge over Troubled Water Paul Simon 4:29 1970-06-05 1970-11-11 LSP 4445 That's the Way It Is #21
8. Got My Mojo Working / Keep Your Hands Off of It Preston Foster, Elvis Presley 4:34 1970-06-05 1971-06-16 LSP 4530 Love Letters from Elvis #33
9. It's Your Baby, You Rock It Shirl Milete and Nora Fowler 2:59 1970-06-05 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
10. Stranger in the Crowd Winfield Scott 3:47 1970-06-05 1970-11-11 LSP 4445 That's the Way It Is #21
11. Mary in the Morning Johnny Cymbal and Michael Rashkow 4:11 1970-06-05 1970-11-11 LSP 4445 That's the Way It Is #21
12. It Ain't No Big Thing (But It's Growing) Shorty Hall, Alice Joy Merritt, Neal Merritt 2:46 1970-06-06 1971-06-16 LSP 4530 Love Letters from Elvis #33
13. Just Pretend Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett 4:02 1970-06-06 1970-11-11 LSP 4445 That's the Way It Is #21
14. Faded Love* Bob Wills and Johnnie Lee Wills 4:06 1970-06-07 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
15. Tomorrow Never Comes* Johnny Bond and Ernest Tubb 4:04 1970-06-07 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
16. Make the World Go Away Hank Cochran 3:35 1970-06-07 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
17. Funny How Time Slips Away Willie Nelson 4:19 1970-06-07 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
18. I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water* Joe Babcock 4:57 1970-06-07 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
19. Snowbird Gene MacLellan 2:04 1970-09-22 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
20. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Dave "Curly" Williams and Sunny David 3:02 1970-09-22 1971-01-02 LSP 4460 "Elvis Country" #12
21. Amazing Grace* Traditional 3:26 1971-03-15 1972-04-03 LSP 4690 He Touched Me #79
22. (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me Gordon Lightfoot 2:08 1971-03-15 1973-07-16 APL1 0283 Elvis #52
23. Lady Madonna John Lennon and Paul McCartney 1:20 1971-05-17 previously unreleased

Disc four: Studio Highlights 1971–1976

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Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original Issue Chart Peak
1. Merry Christmas, Baby Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore 5:43 1971-05-15 1971-10-20 LSP 4579 Wonderful World of Christmas
2. I Shall Be Released Bob Dylan 0:48 1971-05-20 previously unreleased
3. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right* Bob Dylan 4:00 1971-05-16 1973-07-16 APL1 0283 Elvis #52
4. It's Still Here* Ivory Joe Hunter 3:29 1971-05-19 1973-07-16 APL1 0283 Elvis #52
5. I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen* Thomas P. Westendorf 2:28 1971-05-19 1973-07-16 APL1 0283 Elvis #52
6. I Will Be True Ivory Joe Hunter 2:34 1971-05-19 1973-07-16 APL1 0283 Elvis #52
7. My Way Paul Anka, Claude Francois, Jacques Revaux 4:32 1971-06-10 previously unreleased
8. For the Good Times Kris Kristofferson 3:11 1972-03-27 previously unreleased
9. Just a Little Bit Ralph Bass, Buster Brown, John Thornton, Fats Washington 2:31 1973-07-22 1973-10-01 APL1 0388 Raised on Rock #50
10. It's Diff'rent Now Clive Westlake 2:31 1973-07-21 previously unreleased
11. Are You Sincere Wayne Walker 1:59 1973-09-23 1973-10-01 APL1 0388 Raised on Rock #50
12. I Got a Feelin' in My Body Dennis Linde 3:33 1973-12-10 1974-03-20 CPL1 0475 Good Times #90
13. You Asked Me To Waylon Jennings and Billy Joe Shaver 2:52 1973-12-11 1975-01-08 APL1 0873 Promised Land #47
14. Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues Danny O'Keefe 3:12 1973-12-13 1974-03-20 CPL1 0475 Good Times #90
15. Talk About the Good Times Jerry Reed Hubbard 2:36 1973-12-14 1974-03-20 CPL1 0475 Good Times #90
16. Tiger Man Joe Hill Louis and Sam Phillips (under the pseudonym Sam Burns) 3:05 1975-03-11 previously unreleased
17. I Can Help Billy Swan 4:02 1975-03-10 1975-05-07 APL1 1039 Today #57
18. Susan When She Tried Don Reid 2:16 1975-03-11 1975-05-07 APL1 1039 Today #57
19. Shake a Hand Joe Morris 3:48 1975-03-11 1975-05-07 APL1 1039 Today #57
20. She Thinks I Still Care Dickey Lee 3:26 1976-02-02 unreleased alternate take
21. Danny Boy Frederic Weatherly 3:56 1976-02-05 1976-04-20 APL1 1506 From Elvis Presley Boulevard #41
22. Love Coming Down Jerry Chesnut 3:06 1976-02-06 1976-04-20 APL1 1506 From Elvis Presley Boulevard #41
23. He'll Have to Go Joe Allison and Audrey Allison 4:30 1976-10-30 1977-07-19 AFL1 2428 Moody Blue #3

Disc five: The Elvis Presley Show

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Track Song Title Writer(s) Time Recorded Release Date Catalogue Original Issue Chart Peak
1. See See Rider Traditional 2:23 1970-02-18 1970-06-23 LSP 4362 On Stage: February 1970 #13
2. Men with Broken Hearts Hank Williams 0:31 1970-08-11 previously unreleased
3. Walk A Mile In My Shoes Joe South 2:57 1970-02-19 1970-06-23 LSP 4362 On Stage: February 1970 #13
4. Polk Salad Annie Tony Joe White 4:46 1970-02-18 1970-06-23 LSP 4362 On Stage: February 1970 #13
5. Let It Be Me Gilbert Bécaud, Mann Curtis, Pierre Delanoë 3:28 1970-02-17 1970-06-23 LSP 4362 On Stage: February 1970 #13
6. Proud Mary John Fogerty 2:30 1970-02-16 1970-06-23 LSP 4362 On Stage: February 1970 #13
7. Something George Harrison 3:40 1970-08-11 previously unreleased
8. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector 4:23 1970-08-12 1970-11-11 LSP 4445 That's the Way It Is #21
9. Heartbreak Hotel Mae Axton, Tommy Durden, Elvis Presley 1:41 1970-08-11 previously unreleased
10. I Was the One Aaron Schroeder, Claude DeMetrius, Hal Blair, Bill Peppers 1:19 1970-08-12 previously unreleased
11. One Night Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King, Anita Steiman 1:47 1970-08-11 previously unreleased
12. Never Been to Spain Hoyt Axton 3:28 1972-02-16 previously unreleased
13. You Gave Me a Mountain Marty Robbins 3:15 1972-02-16 previously unreleased
14. It's Impossible Armando Manzanero and Sid Wayne 2:52 1972-02-16 1973-07-16 APL1 0283 Elvis #52
15. A Big Hunk o' Love Aaron Schroeder and Sidney Wyche 2:02 1972-02-16 previously unreleased
16. It's Over Jimmie F. Rodgers 2:20 1972-02-17 previously unreleased
17. The Impossible Dream Joe Darion and Mitch Leigh 2:29 1972-02-17 1978-02 AFL1 2772 He Walks Beside Me #113
18. Reconsider Baby Lowell Fulsom 2:41 1972-06-10 previously unreleased
19. I'll Remember You Kui Lee 2:35 1972-06-10 previously unreleased
20. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Hank Williams 2:15 1973-01-14 1973-02-04 VPSX 6089 Aloha From Hawaii: Via Satellite #1
21. Suspicious Minds Mark James 4:29 1973-01-14 1973-02-04 VPSX 6089 Aloha From Hawaii: Via Satellite #1
22. Unchained Melody Alex North and Hy Zaret 2:27 1977-04-24 1977-07-19 AFL1 2428 Moody Blue #3
23. The Twelfth of Never Jay Livingston and Paul Francis Webster 2:39 1974-08-16 unreleased rehearsal
24. Softly As I Leave You Giorgio Calabrese, Antonio deVita and Hal Shaper 2:14 1974-08-16 unreleased rehearsal
25. Allá en el Rancho Grande Silvano Ramos, Del Moral, Urange 2:04 1970-07-15 unreleased rehearsal
26. Froggy Went A-Courting Traditional 2:15 1970-07-29 unreleased rehearsal
27. Stranger in My Own Home Town Percy Mayfield 4:37 1970-07-24 unreleased rehearsal

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Elvis Presley Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters". AllMusic. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  2. ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Visible Ink Press. p. 891. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  3. ^ McGee, David. "Elvis Presley: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  4. ^ Simpson, Paul (2004). The Rough Guide to Elvis. London: Rough Guides. p. 163. ISBN 1-84353-417-7.
  5. ^ Marsh, Dave, Walk A Mile In My Shoes: The Essential 70s Masters insert booklet, p. 5 and p.32