1966

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How Great Thou Art up next for FTD Classic Album Series

Hey folks,

I’m more than a little under the weather, so I won’t be able to do a real post this week. I did want to mention FTD’s next Classic Album release, the Grammy-winning How Great Thou Art.

As well as the May 1966 sessions that made up the original album, there will also be bonus tracks drawn from June 1966 and September 1967. Definitely will make for an interesting release.

It will be available internationally later this month, usually about a month later for the US.

I hope to be back next week. I have lots of post ideas, just no energy to do them up right.

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Admitting a Guilty Pleasure

Today, I want to make a startling admission that may cause you to never want to read any of my Elvis reviews ever again.

In fact, it may forever change the way you read The Mystery Train Elvis Blog, if you come back here at all.

It’s not fair for me to keep posting here without letting you know the full truth, though. I can no longer hide this secret.

So, here it is. Prepare yourself. I’m even placing a random Elvis photo in between, in case you want to stop reading now and avoid the shock and horror of what I have to say below. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Cover of Double Trouble (1967)

Cover of Double Trouble (1967)

Here is my confession:

I love Elvis’ version of “Old MacDonald.”

There, I said it. I have finally admitted it.

I know the 1966 recording for the movie Double Trouble is considered a career low point for Elvis. By most accounts, recording the song was an extreme embarrassment for him – which is an accomplishment considering how embarrassing it must have been to record many of his other 1960s movie tunes, too. The awful scene in the movie that includes this song certainly doesn’t help matters, either.

Yet, despite all of that, I still can’t help but love “Old MacDonald.” I want to sing along every time it comes on. Maybe that’s the power of Elvis, or maybe that’s just the power of my own insanity.

I also enjoy the dark humor of the song, which was adapted by Randy Starr from the children’s tune for use in the movie. Stuff like, “…if those animals get out of line, we’ll have a mulligan stew…” Being an animal lover, I probably shouldn’t find that funny. But I do.

I have now admitted being a fan of a “bad” Elvis song. How about you? Are there any universally panned Elvis performances that you secretly enjoy? Make your confession in the comments below.