FTD

Coming Soon: White Knight In Vegas (August 26, 1969, DS)

/ TY / 2 Comments

Follow That Dream Records will release in February White Knight In Vegas, a new CD containing Elvis’ August 26, 1969, Dinner Show (“New FTD Releases” — ElvisNews.com). FTD is Sony’s collectors label for Elvis fans.

Track Listing
01 Blue Suede Shoes*
02 I Got A Woman*
03 All Shook Up*
04 Love Me Tender*
05 Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel*
06 Heartbreak Hotel*
07 Hound Dog*
08 Memories*
09 My Babe (previously released: Elvis Aron Presley)
10 Mystery Train/Tiger Man*
11 Monologue*
12 Baby, What You Want Me To Do*
13 Runaway*
14 Inherit The Wind (Collectors Gold)
15 Yesterday/Hey Jude*
16 Introductions*
17 In The Ghetto*
18 Suspicious Minds (Elvis In Person)
19 Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis In Person)

* = previously unreleased

Since five full shows from this same engagement have been officially before, some sad and disappointed fans in various places are already whining things like, “If you’ve heard one of these shows, you’ve heard ’em all” and indicating that White Knight is hardly an essential release.

Nonsense.

White Knight will actually mark the first full release of a show that contributed songs to the original Elvis In Person (From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis) live compilation album. Plus, the songs “My Babe” and “Inherit The Wind” have never been featured on any full show release before.

The 1969 Vegas season represents Elvis at the top of his game. Whether first, sixth, or fifty-seventh, every 1969 (and 1970, for that matter) show is essential upon release from the vaults. How many of them do I want? All of them. (And I’m not a “buy every concert no matter what” collector, either. These shows are special.)

Also coming in February is a vinyl version of the recent How Great Thou Art classic albums release.

FTD releases are available from ShopElvis.com and other online Elvis retailers.

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Additional Sources

Some thoughts on “It’s Still Here” and Elvis In Nashville

/ TY

Thomas over at the Elvis Today blog has written a great review of the latest FTD classic album release, 1973’s Elvis (Fool). “Of the three ‘Elvis at the piano’ songs, my favorite has always been ‘It’s Still Here,'” he says.

“It’s Still Here” is definitely my favorite as well, by a long shot over “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” and “I Will Be True.” I first heard “It’s Still Here” on a 1988 compilation album called Elvis In Nashville. I remember listening to that record over and over, and particularly loving that song because it featured Elvis on piano. It’s one of those sad “Always On My Mind” style songs that I gravitate towards, anyway. Wonderful performance.

I just pulled out Elvis In Nashville from my record collection and decided to give it a spin. I haven’t played it in years. Wow, what a track listing! While it may just have been a compilation of previously released songs, it was my first exposure to many of them.

Side A
I Got A Woman
A Big Hunk O’ Love
Working On The Building
Judy
Anything That’s Part Of You
Night Rider
Where No One Stands Alone

Side B
Just Call Me Lonesome
Guitar Man
Little Cabin Home On The Hill
It’s Your Baby, You Rock It
Early Mornin’ Rain
It’s Still Here
I, John

This album made for a fascinating listening experience, showing how Elvis music from various time periods really blended much better together than some people would have you believe.

I also remember that “Night Rider” always skipped at a certain point of the song, even the first time I played the record. It wasn’t until I obtained ELVIS: From Nashville To Memphis-The Essential 60s Masters I several years later on CD that I was finally able to hear the song without the skip. As much as I love my old records, I can still pull out From Nashville To Memphis on CD and the sound quality is as perfect as the day I bought it. I do miss the pops and crackles of the record sound sometimes, though. Elvis In Nashville has a lot of that. I must’ve really played the heck out of this one back then.

Anyway, be sure to check out Thomas’ review of Elvis (Fool), which also features “It’s Still Here,” over on Elvis Today.

Defending FTD’s Release Strategy (Conductor’s Reflections #4)

/ TY / 2 Comments

As a fan of Elvis Presley and various other pop culture touchstones, one of the things I’ve noticed over the years that ties all of them together is that their various fandoms are never quite satisfied.

Take the recent announcement of upcoming Follow That Dream Records releases, consisting of a half dozen interesting – even exciting – CD and vinyl releases on the horizon for the rest of this year, thirty-three years after Elvis’ death. Among them are a 1971 soundboard recording of a concert at Boston Garden and a Classic Album re-issue of a 1973 album and associated alternates.

Predictably, the reaction on various Elvis message boards and forums across the web is lukewarm at best. FTD’s decision to release the Boston Garden show gets criticized because some fans have already bought that one on bootleg once or twice.

Hey, if you bought bootlegs, that’s your problem!

I don’t want FTD to take bootlegs into account when deciding their releases. I fully support their decision to officially release the Boston Garden show. If FTD has access to great Elvis material that has already hit the bootleg market, then bring it on.

If you have bought the bootleg release and now have to either re-buy it or decide not to buy it when it comes out on FTD, then, again, I say that is your problem.

As for 1973’s Elvis (“Fool”) album, there is the typical whining that this album was not a worthy follow-up to his Aloha From Hawaii success and, thus, is undeserving of the Classic Album treatment. Sometimes, I’m not sure to which Elvis Presley these people are listening. Elvis is a great album, with several performances that are not to be missed – including Elvis at the piano on “It’s Still Here.”

Another argument goes that while Elvis may indeed be worthy of an FTD, there are other albums of higher priority that should have come first – Promised Land, Jailhouse Rock: Volume 2, and Ernst Jorgensen’s mysterious Sun project being the oft-cited examples.

This makes no sense to me. FTD is supposed to structure its releases in order of priority? That would mean that they would front-load all of the best releases. Eventually, you would hit a point where all that was left was stuff like Double Trouble and Roustabout. All the good stuff would be gone, and we’d have nothing left to be excited about.

Instead, they have to vary things up. All-in-all, I think FTD does a fantastic job of that – particularly in the last two or three years.

There are also complaints that a tie-in to this year’s Elvis On Tour Blu-ray/DVD/theatrical event was not announced. FTD is the collectors label. Whether it comes this year or next, any corresponding audio releases for Elvis On Tour will likely debut on the main Sony label, with a related FTD release at some point after that.

So, stop all the whining, will you? You’re starting to sound like a bunch of Trekkies.

1971 Boston Concert among Upcoming FTD Releases

/ TY / 4 Comments

Elvis performed exactly one time in Boston, on November 10, 1971. “By the time he finished you knew that underneath the control and the lightness of most of the evening’s music there stood a man with more natural ability, talent, and soul than I expect to see on the stage at any rock concert,” said Jon Landau in Rolling Stone of the show.

According to Elvis Matters, Sony’s Follow That Dream Records, a collectors label for Elvis fans, will release a soundboard recording of the Boston show on CD September 14. This one has apparently appeared in bootleg format before, but as someone who sticks to official releases, I can’t wait to hear this concert.

Also set for release in September is the Classic Album version of 1973’s Elvis (“Fool”), a two-CD set that will contain the original album and alternate takes.

Here is the tentative FTD schedule for the rest of the year. Note that the US releases of these albums tend to be a few weeks behind. Italicized descriptions are quoted from Elvis Matters.

August 8, 2010

King Creole: The Music (book & CD)

KING CREOLE-THE MUSIC is a 200-page book with images exclusively designed to complement the music from the film. It consists of two main sections; the recording sessions on January 16, 1958 and song scenes from the filming of the movie (including behind-the scenes shots). The images are classic and well-known shots with the majority being previous unpublished and taken by the original still photographers on the set (no freeze-frames).

The accompanying CD consists of the masters and the well-known alternative masters (no unreleased session reels have been found). As always, the music has been re-mastered.

Good Times: The Outtakes (2 vinyl LPs)

Following on from the previous strictly Limited Edition series, FTD is pleased to announce the release of a special 2-disc 180-gram vinyl set of GOOD TIMES – THE OUTTAKES. Supplied in a deluxe gatefold sleeve, it features the superb original draft artwork design that was superseded prior to release. UNIQUE!

September 14, 2010

Boston Garden (CD, no official title yet)

FTD will release the soundboard of the November 10, 1971, BOSTON GARDEN Show (previously released on bootleg) as this is the only available show from the early tours of the seventies. We believe that this is of such historical importance, that it should be available to everyone. This will be a 5” digipack with a photo booklet.

Elvis (“Fool”) (2 CDs)

On the same date, a 2-CD set of ELVIS (FOOL) in the CLASSIC ALBUM series. This will feature a 7” digi-pack with an 8-page booklet.

September 2010

  • Soundboard CD – Concert not yet announced

November 2010

  • Classic Album 2-CD – Content not yet announced
  • Vinyl 2-LP – Content not yet announced

FTD releases are available from ShopElvis.com and other online Elvis retailers.

[7/11/2010 Update: ElvisNews.com has a posted a longer version of the comments from the FTD team:

Recently, we’ve had several frustrated e-mails from some customers about information getting out about our releases, prior to circulation of the official FTD announcement. Ideally, it shouldn’t be like that, but at the same time with so many people helping us in advance with our product origination, there is a good chance that word will spread before exact release plans can be chosen due to manufacturing and distribution issues. The nature of being involved in the ‘Elvis‘ industry dictates that the sharing of new information is a thrill to most people, so leaks will occur.

In an effort to improve the situation, we will try to announce our schedule further up front. The downside to this is that there will be times when unforeseen production problems cause releases to slip”

I think this is a huge step in the right direction for FTD. Maybe it’s time for them to finally get a small but informative website up and running?]

Other links

“Anyone could lose his heart like me”

/ TY / 2 Comments

Don’t you love when an Elvis song that you previously paid little attention to comes out and smacks you across the forehead? You suddenly realize that it’s a great song. That’s what happened to me just now with 1963’s “Anyone” from the Kissin’ Cousins soundtrack.

I had iTunes on shuffle, using a smart playlist. It was “There Goes My Baby” by the Drifters, then “I Just Call You Mine” by Martina McBride, “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé, Elvis foolin’ around on “The Cattle Call,” and then, BOOM, “Anyone.”

Why have I never noticed this beautiful song before? I had it rated as a measly two stars. I’ve bumped it up to four.

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My pal Thomas over at the Elvis Today blog seems a little down in his latest post about the forthcoming Follow That Dream Records releases. Up next will be a book and CD combo for 1958’s King Creole.

Unfortunately, the CD contains only previously released material, and misses being comprehensive by leaving out a couple tracks that were available on Hits Like Never Before. After that, there will be a vinyl release capturing highlights from the Classic Albums series version of Good Times.

Cheer up, Thomas. What’s the best thing about FTD? Variety. 1950s releases are few and far between on FTD, and perhaps the King Creole book (and potential sound upgrades) will be good enough to make this underdog a special release.

In the US, I have a slight advantage because I’ll be able to read some of the reviews from around the world before our pre-order period is over.

The other releases we’re waiting for, such as Promised Land, will come eventually. As you said, Elvis On Tour is on the way. We can’t have everything at once now, can we? We don’t want to be spoiled.

“I call it America, and I love it”

/ TY

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” –From The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776

Cover of America The Beautiful, 1977 single

Cover of America The Beautiful, 1977 single

Not long after Elvis Presley died, my family bought the 45 RPM record single “My Way”/”America The Beautiful.” Though I had listened to Elvis records before this one, this is the earliest one for which I can specifically remember the songs.

We played it over and over, and I always sang along. I was only two or three-years-old, so the lyrics to “My Way” were way over my vocabulary at the time. On that one, I made up sound-alike words on the ones I didn’t understand. “America The Beautiful” was a lot easier for me, and I can even remember visualizing parts of the song.

Oh beautiful,
For spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountains, majesty,
Above the fruited plains,
America, America,
God shed His grace on thee,
And He crowns thy good,
With brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea” –From “America The Beautiful,” Elvis Presley song, 1975 (written by Katharine Lee Bates & Samuel Ward)

I understood most of the words, but being that young, I didn’t really know their meanings in context. I thought all of that “majesty” and “crown thy good” stuff had something to do with Elvis being “the king.”

A few years later, my class was singing the song in elementary school. I was the first one to know all of the words, and I remember thinking it was cool we were singing an Elvis song! It took me a little while to figure out the whole thing.

America The Beautiful, history of Elvis Presley releases

  • December 6, 1975, Live, Las Vegas, Midnight Show: Live In Las Vegas
  • December 13, 1975, Live, Las Vegas, Dinner Show: Dinner At Eight
  • December 13, 1975, Live, Las Vegas, Midnight Show: Single, b/w “My Way”
  • February 8, 1976, Memphis: The Jungle Room Sessions (incomplete)
  • April 22, 1976, Live, Omaha: America
  • July 3, 1976, Live, Fort Worth: Rocking Across Texas
  • July 30, 1976, Live, New Haven: New Haven 76
  • October 18, 1976, Live, Sioux Falls: A Minnesota Moment (bonus song)

[Information source: Elvis In Norway Session Notes]

America The Beautiful, 1977 single

America The Beautiful, 1977 single

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Thanks to Steven over at the Discovering Elvis blog for the scanning tip.

“Together all alone”

/ TY / 1 Comment

I’ve recently been playing Elvis’ last couple of non-compilation albums, From Elvis Presley Boulevard and Moody Blue, as well as associated outtakes on The Jungle Room Sessions and other releases. He recorded many of these songs in the den at Graceland in February and October of 1976.

I’ve also been listening to songs from Elvis In Concert, the first album released after he passed away, containing songs from his last concert tour in June 1977.

From Elvis Presley Boulevard (1976)

From Elvis Presley Boulevard (1976)

These recordings represent the last audio documentation we have of Elvis Presley the artist. From Elvis Presley Boulevard and Moody Blue are two of his finest albums. By this time, Elvis was apparently reluctant to record, so it is only through the efforts of people like producer Felton Jarvis that we have these recordings at all.

Boulevard has a thematically dark tone, established right from the beginning. If your Elvis experience is limited to the likes of “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Hound Dog,” it can make for some revealing and, at times, difficult listening.

I’m so hurt to think that you lied to me. I’m hurt way down deep inside of me. You said our love was true, and we’d never part. Now you want someone new, and it breaks my heart.” –From “Hurt,” Elvis Presley song, 1976 (written by Crane/Jacobs)

The pain is so evident in his voice as he pours out what is left of that broken heart. Reluctant or not, the results are some of the most honest music of his life.

What will become of me when you’re no longer here? If I can’t stop loving you, what am I to do? You’ll be free, but where will I be?” –From “Never Again,” Elvis Presley song, 1976 (written by Wheeler/Chesnut)

Let there be no doubt that Elvis could still rock, though. In the midst of Boulevard‘s otherwise slow songs suddenly appears “For The Heart,” and Elvis tears it up.

Though a gloomy tone is still present, Moody Blue lightens things up a bit compared to Boulevard. Rockers “Way Down,” “Moody Blue,” and a fun 1977 live version of “Little Darlin'” help in this regard, as does a 1974 live recording of “Let Me Be There” – first released on Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis.

I can still remember the first time I played Moody Blue. It was an album I borrowed from the local library, before I had any Elvis records of my own. I was fascinated by the fact that the record was blue rather than black. It began with a beautiful, haunting version of “Unchained Melody.” That song, as well as “Little Darlin'” and “Way Down” caught my attention, though I remember listening to the whole record over and over. What a perfect Elvis album.

You don’t have to face the music. You don’t have to face the crowd. Just go back where you came from. You ain’t even proud.” –From “It’s Easy For You,” Elvis Presley song, 1976 (written by Webber/Rice)

This turned into a longer post than I first planned. All I really wanted to say was how much joy listening to these songs has brought me in the last couple of days. Sometimes, you can listen to something in a whole new way. A song you’ve heard a hundred times can suddenly sound new.

That’s the great thing about being an Elvis fan, there is so much music out there to explore. I’ll never stop listening.