Your FTD recomendations?

[WildStyle]

I am going to be buying my first 2 FTD's soon and wanted to know what you guys think I should get. I have already decided I will get 'Elvis At The International' but I am undecided on what else to get. I was thinking maybe the 'Viva Las Vegas' soundtrack. What do you guys think?

[Captain Elwood David]

"Spring tours" ........ I personally play a lot. :D  

Unchained.


Unchained,

That statement is borderline blasphemy to music purists who tip their noses up at Elvis in '77. :lol:

"Spring Tours" is one of my favorites.

-----------------------------------------------

If you are going to pick up two, one has got to be "At The International." Incredible CD!!!

Don't know what era-Elvis you prefer, but ....... "Jungle Room Sessions" would also be high on my "To Buy" list.


- Capt. "EL."

[londonflash]

Fame and Fortune is fantastic!

[Lonniebealestreet]

Gosh, that's tough. First of all, I don't have them all myself. But I would have to also recommend Jungle Room Sessions and Spring Tours. Takin' Tahoe Tonight is very good, but before that one I would get Dixieland Rocks. I have heard a lot of '75 boots, but the performance(s) captured on Dixieland are IMO as good or better as the best of them. My Boy and Fairytale were never sung better, and he was just in such great voice and spirit overall. The sound is also quite good. I would also get that one before Dinner At Eight and It's Midnight, although I enjoy them as well.

As the good Captain said though, if you are particularly fond of a certain era or not so much of another one, that should be factored into your selection.

I think So High is fantastic. As is 6363 Sunset, although that one is weakened somewhat by the '72 throwaway rehearsals of the fifties tunes. But hearing See See Rider in the studio is a nice treat, as are the rest of the '72 alt. takes and the '75 alternates (see "compression" thread)--which are superb.

I didn't get Out In Hollywood, but its successor, Silver Screen Stereo is very enjoyable.

One that I never hear people mention is Easter Special, but I think it's nice. It starts out with a radio spot (I guess it was) that Elvis recorded in 1957 for the March of Dimes and features lots of great gospel alternates, although admittedly some are noticeably inferior to the masters. But still nice to listen to, IMO.

Oh my goodness--no one has mentioned Memphis Sessions or the Nashville Marathon! Those two are strongly recommended.

Tucson '76 you hear a lot of negative things about. When I first got it, I believe that was the first '76 show I had ever heard and I wasn't totally knocked out with it. Of course Danny Boy comes across very well regardless of your perspective. But re-visiting it later, I came to like it a lot more. It is a solid performance anyway, at least in my estimation.

OK, I am giving you too much information here. BTW I think I have 14 or 15 FTDs, less than half of them. I don't have any of the soundtracks just because I can't decide which one to start out with, and they were not a top priority for me. Their coming out 3 at a time has made it extra hard to decide. I did buy one as a gift and the packaging and all that is really impressive. (They should all be done that way, but I'm not the first person to say that!) But I eventually hope to get them all.

Alright, I'll try and simplify. I can't possibly just name 2, but here are my favorite 5 (even that was tough--I wanted to name 8!), in no certain order:

The Jungle Room Sessions
6363 Sunset
The Nashville Marathon
Spring Tours '77
Dixieland Rocks

Yeah, I'm kinda partial to the seventies. :wink:

I'm sure this just didn't help you at all! :lol: Anyway, good luck deciding. You're bound to pick a winner.

[WildStyle]

Woah, you really went all out there Bobby. I appreciate it :D

I was leaning towards the Viva Las Vegas soundtrack because I haven't got that album and I really like a lot of the songs on it. Also, the awesome packaging is a huge plus.

After that I was thinking about getting The Jungle Room Sessions. I've heard nothing but good things about it. I am still reluctant to get it though, basically because those recordings were not some of Elvis' finest moments IMO.

You really gave me something to think about. Your suggestions are also usefull for what will be my 3rd and 4th FTD's :D

[londonflash]

If you want to know about any of the other ftd's just pm me. :D

Personally, I don't think you can beat the Nashville 60s ones.

[Lonniebealestreet]

See, of the Nashville sessions from the 60s I only have So High, so I may be missing out on something I would otherwise be highly recommending! So please don't just go on my advice, WildStyle.

I'm considering getting Viva myself, as well as Fun In Acapulco--jungleroom76 highly recommends that one.

It sounds like you have read all the high praise of Jungleroom Sessions already, but a few things about it can't be overstated.

Overall sound - There is an amazing richness and clarity to these recordings. They just have a very "warm" sound, and it does sound like Elvis is singing to you in your den!

Absence of overdubs - They really drowned Elvis out on the original recordings, and so these alternate takes sound so much different in this regard. They are not just better for the things you don't hear, but for the things you do hear: the core band! Like Elvis said in the 8-16-74 rehearsals, "The simpler this thing is, the better," and although he knew these sessions would get plenty of overdubbing, I like to think that he was pleased with the tracks the way they sounded to him in the Jungle Room. The Last Farewell, Solitaire, Never Again, and Love Coming Down are a few examples which come to mind as seeming far superior in their simpler arrangements as heard here. It's Easy For you also comes off quite nicely. Somebody else thought so too; it was that version which was featured on the Andrew Lloyd Webber box set which came out a few years ago.

Quality of outtakes - With just a few exceptions, these performances I believe are as good as, or better than, the masters. And if they are at least somewhat comparable, hearing them in much better sound and without overdubs you know has got to be a treat.

How this release changes overall perception of these sessions - Everything we had heard or read up until this release painted a picture of a very troubled, brooding, depressed man whacked out of his mind and ready to shoot the place up and not giving much of a **** about these sessions. On this CD, we get to hear Elvis laughing and cutting up, sounding very strong-voiced and singing with real dedication to his craft. The fact that there were high-quality alternate takes from these sessions shows that he wasn't in bad vocal condition, needing the overdubs to hide all his shortcomings and lucky to produce one good take. Definitely a real eye-opener.

Some other random thoughts:

She Thinks I Still Care - I love this alternate take, sung in a different style. Maybe some people don't care for it, but I love the way they all sang the "title line" together and then went into the song. Instrumentally the intro is superb as well and Elvis sang the song beautifully. Although not as different as the fast approach to the song as heard on the Walk A Mile set, it is great to hear it done yet another way, showing that the creative juices were still flowing--that he still cared.

The phone and dog interruptions during Bitter, and Elvis's comments about them are great.

Pledging My Love in its unedited (master) form shows Elvis really reveling in the song, singing through the instrumental breaks and clearly not wanting the song to end.

What could be more priceless than the "Italian version" Moody Blue? If you haven't heard it, ya gotta! You'll love it.

Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, likely the last song the man ever sang, sounds better without the excessive reverb. I guess it sounds more like the final performance of it in this form.

Listening to what could have been on the instrumental track of Fire Down Below is both interesting and saddening.

A hidden track! The last 15 seconds or whatever of America The Beautiful (since the rest was $#@&ing erased) is a nice treat, and it's not a common thing to have a hidden track on an Elvis CD.

Awesome artwork! The front cover is great, and the font chosen is perfect. I love the photo on the back of him on his three-wheeler. I love the warm sunny tint added to the whole image. I'm goofy like this, but when I first saw that, it made me think of E up in heaven, still riding around and doing the things he loved to do, looking down on all this and being amazed that so long after his death we would still be going nuts over him and that a CD of tracks he probably didn't find to be master-worthy were being put out, having been handled with care and made to sound so good, and assembled into a very cool CD package for his legions of fans. He'd probably shake his head, still not being able to fully understand why he was the object of so many people's affection.

Sorry, I'm back to reality now.

I know that a lot of people aren't crazy about some of the depressing music from these sessions, like nearly the entire From Elvis Presley Blvd album, but hearing them in this new way really livens them up in such a way that helps you get over that. I think you come away with a new appreciation for the material, or at the very least hear something which sounds better to you than some of the songs as they were originally released. It's just great to hear Elvis and the TCB band doing their thing in the Jungle Room.

I haven't played this CD in a few weeks probably, and I am sure there are many other things worth pointing out about it that just aren't coming to mind right now. I think if you have any appreciation for Elvis's post-Aloha period, then you will like this CD.

[P.S. Annie]

Elvis at the International, great choice. An other favo of my is the Memphis sessions and I was pleasantly surprised by Viva Las Vegas.

[NightRider]

There are so many that are so good. I would say my favourites are -
Jungle Room Sessions - don't miss this, its fantastic !
Memphis sessions - especially if you haven't got alot of alternates already. One of the best sessions elvis recorded without doubt.
Live at the International
Its Midnight - good show, though there are better on boots
Spring Tours - alot of people wouldn't rate this so high - but i think its great.
Silver screen stereo - great sounding alternates.

No doubt there are some i've missed, but these are highly recommended along with any of the film soundtracks if you don't have the material anyway.

You know the best option my friend - get a loan and buy the lot :lol:

[spinout-designs]

Having them all except (as yet) the latest one and Long Lonely Highway, I would say most of them are very worthwhile, here are some of my favourites.

Sessions

Jungle Room Sessions
Nashville Marathon
6363 Sunset
Memphis Sessions

Live

One Night In Vegas
At The International
Spring Tours

Movies

all the movie issues are worthwhile if you enjoy the movie soundtracks (which I do).

Additionally Silver Screen Stereo and Out In Hollywood offer a good cross section of movie outtakes.

[Captain Elwood David]

You know the best option my friend - get a loan and buy the lot :lol:



You know, ........ that's the kind of attitude that I like to hear.

If you really, really WANT something, then you FIND A WAY. :D


- Capt. "EL."

PS - Other recommendations:

- Nashville Marathons (like hearing some for the first time again)
- Memphis Sessions (although I think the boots are much better content-wise)
- Viva Las Vegas Soundrack (my favorite of all the ST's)

As already noted: All of the FTD's are "essential" for hardcore fans. Look at the bright side, you'll always have all of these great things to look forward to, even though you can only pick them up a couple at a time. DEFINITELY ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY!

[Albert]

I am going to be buying my first 2 FTD's soon and wanted to know what you guys think I should get. I have already decided I will get 'Elvis At The International' but I am undecided on what else to get. I was thinking maybe the 'Viva Las Vegas' soundtrack. What do you guys think?

Yeah, I'd go for Spring Tours. The sound is amazing and the tracks are well-selected. They are recorded over several shows, but mixed together as one. FTD really did a great job on this one.

Another one I really like is "Taking Tahoe Tonight", a 1973 show from a Lake Tahoe season. It's like a improved, much loser "Aloha From Hawaii". Sound is great.

[P.S. Annie]

Another one I really like is "Taking Tahoe Tonight", a 1973 show from a Lake Tahoe season. It's like a improved, much loser "Aloha From Hawaii". Sound is great.

Didn't put this one on the wishlist, but I might reconsider now :)

[Sonny]

Memphis Sessions (great, clear sound)

Spring Tours (great sound, a little weird mixing sometimes, with a lot of drums and some songs start off to sudden)

So High (this one surprised me.Great sound, great, less obvious song collection.)

Sonny

[WildStyle]

Thanks guys! What do you think The Impossible Dream will be like? I haven't heard any shows from '71.

[curtis simpkins]

i am also this yeari am going to re-start buying my ftds again
into my collection, but i know i am not going to get his home recording
stuff, but the others i well get but i might get the one i havent had yet,
and then get the others next.

what do you guys think.

[curtis simpkins]

Do you like these home recordings of elvis.

at one time it was nice to hear, but you can't beet his studio and concert's
recording's. :lol:

[curtis simpkins]

o.k.
i guess ill get it.

i hate to miss a set. heck ill buy all of the ftds. :lol:

[Albert]

Thanks guys! What do you think The Impossible Dream will be like? I haven't heard any shows from '71.

I have "Lean, Mean And Kicking Butt" (Fort Baxter), "Snowbird" (2001) and "All Things Are Possible" (DAE). Besides "Snowbird" (because of the mediocre soundquality) the are very good. It's like a mixture of the rough 1970 Elvis and the "On Tour 1972" Elvis. Also a fun thing is "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)", that song is featured on all 3 CD's, but every CD has a very different version. Fantastic to see Elvis experiment with a song like this within just a few days.

[WildStyle]

Thanks guys! What do you think The Impossible Dream will be like? I haven't heard any shows from '71.

I have "Lean, Mean And Kicking Butt" (Fort Baxter), "Snowbird" (2001) and "All Things Are Possible" (DAE). Besides "Snowbird" (because of the mediocre soundquality) the are very good. It's like a mixture of the rough 1970 Elvis and the "On Tour 1972" Elvis. Also a fun thing is "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)", that song is featured on all 3 CD's, but every CD has a very different version. Fantastic to see Elvis experiment with a song like this within just a few days.

So he is in a little worse form then 1970, but a bit better form then '72?Makes sense.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Personally I would disagree with that, based on the recordings I've heard. 1970 and 1972 were both superior to the year in between, it seems to me.

You hear people speak so highly of the fall tour, and that is probably deserved. Boston was a great show, and I have a very rough quality audience recording from Louisville in that same tour, and he seemed to be in about the same form for that show.

But the Jan. - Feb. Vegas engagement showed Elvis in far less than top form and spirits. Apparently he was sick during this time...If that's all it was, he really let it affect him in all aspects of his performance. He seemed edgy, unfocused, distracted, and he goofed around during the songs too much.

There aren't all that many recordings available from 1971, so it's hard to say really if during the course of the year he was generally more like he was then or as he was during that November tour.

But regardless I do believe that 1972 was a better year for Elvis.

JMHO.

[Albert]

I agree that 1972 is a better year than 1971. But the vegas season that has been recorded in 1971 (used for the CD's i've jsut mentioned) was a good season. Elvis was in good voice and showed a good energy on stage. His voice was still a bit "1970" raw. That rawness (in the voice) was almost gone in 1972. As an entertainer Elvis was much better in 1972 than in 1969 or 1970.

[LisaMarie]

I don't have that many, but my top 3 favorites are as follows (not in any particular order):

1. Nashville Marathon
2. Jungleroom Sessions
3. Silver Screen Stereo

Lisa

[Albert]

I don't have that many, but my top 3 favorites are as follows (not in any particular order):

1.  Nashville Marathon
2.  Jungleroom Sessions
3.  Silver Screen Stereo

Lisa

That's nice, a FTD with songs from soundtracks on your list :lol: . It's a shame that so many Elvisfans can't enjoy the songs from his movies. I know that the movies are bad to todays standards, but they also are very entertaining. Thanks to the soundtracks we have Elvis singing Mexian, Tropical, Middle-Eastern and Dixieland music. And don't forget many excellent ballads and uptempo songs :D. I don't care that they aren't Memphis '69 material. Yup, I just love the movie soundtracks.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I agree that 1972 is a better year than 1971. But the vegas season that has been recorded in 1971 (used for the CD's i've jsut mentioned) was a good season. Elvis was in good voice and showed a good energy on stage. His voice was still a bit "1970" raw. That rawness (in the voice) was almost gone in 1972.  As an entertainer Elvis was much better in 1972 than in 1969 or 1970.
I pretty much agree with all that, but I think that the difference in Elvis between the August 1970 and January 1971 engagements is remarkable, and not for the better.

I have an audience recording from the August '71 engagement which I haven't played in a long time ('71 Summer Festival, the 8/23 DS), but I seem to remember that show sounding better to me than the ones I've heard from the first engagement of that year. I'll give it a listen tomorrow.

[Stefan Kock]

Elvis?s form improved dramaticly during 1971. The first Las Vegas season is weak by all means (not bad though, but far from August 1970). The Lake Tahoe shows are great shows (just listen to some audiance recordings circulating ~ July 24th / 31st and August 1st). The August 1971 Las Vegas season is again a step back, though certainly much better than the Vegas shows earlier that year. I also like the set-lists from this season more, they made the shows stronger imo. The November 1971 tour is, just like Lake Tahoe, great, with an Elvis in very good physically as well as mentally form.

Just my two (euro)cents.....

Greetz,
Stefan

[Lonniebealestreet]

Thanks for your comments, Stefan.

I meant to report back on that show I listened to. It definitely was an improvement over the Vegas engagement #4 shows I've heard, very good in fact. I haven't heard any of the Tahoe shows, but based on your assessment of them and other shows that followed, it looks like he did in fact get over whatever was bothering him in January and held himself to a higher standard for the rest of the year.

That's good to know. :)

[rmk101]

The Jungle Room Sessions
That's The Way It Is
Recorded Live On tage In Memphis
Elvis Presley
All Shook UP
Big Boss Man

[dj_ethan]

I Agree With Sonny "Memphis Sessions (great, clear sound)"

[ehollier]

The Memphis Sessions is so awesome!!!!!! Elvis had some great material, sounded terrific and was 'hungry' for a hit so he worked, really worked in the studio, probably harder than he had since 1961 and probably not ever again!!!! The Nashville Marathon was also good, but Chips Moman at American was clearly in charge of the Memphis Sessions and it shows in the quality of the music. I don't think Felton was ever 'in charge' at RCA and, again, it shows.

[Unchained Melody]

He needed that 69 sessions in Memphis Studio's to prove he could comeback again and be big star he had been in the past and he proved right!

[hgs262626]

FTD ALL SHOOK UP, 1969, concert of the famous are you lonesome tonight laughing version SIMPLY THE BEST! AN ABSOLOUTE MUST 10/10

[Unchained Melody]

:D(y)They are all must haves IMO(y)

[Getlo]

:D(y)They are all must haves IMO(y)

What, even Too Much Monkey Business?

Worst. FTD. Ever.

[Unchained Melody]

What, even Too Much Monkey Business?

Worst. FTD. Ever.

Any dedicated fan of Elvis and his music should have all the FTD's in their collection...plus I love the version of loving arms on too much monkey business :blush::blush::D(y)

[Getlo]

Any dedicated fan of Elvis and his music should have all the FTD's in their collection...

No, that would mean they are simply lemmings. One needs to be discerning with purchases. Why would you say outtakes from Paradise, Hawaiian Style are essential? And most of the soundboards are boring.


plus I love the version of loving arms on too much monkey business :blush::blush::D(y)

Yes, that's fine, it was on the original LP. The Guitar Man LP is one of my favourites. But every one of the other tracks issued on the FTD sucked - that's presumably why they were left on the shelf for 25 years.

Blue Suede Shoes ... Burning Love ... etc ... just tragically awful.

[Unchained Melody]

No, that would mean they are simply lemmings. One needs to be discerning with purchases. Why would you say outtakes from Paradise, Hawaiian Style are essential? And most of the soundboards are boring.



Yes, that's fine, it was on the original LP. The Guitar Man LP is one of my favourites. But every one of the other tracks issued on the FTD sucked - that's presumably why they were left on the shelf for 25 years.

Blue Suede Shoes ... Burning Love ... etc ... just tragically awful.

I loved the guitar on Burning Love:blush::blush:Guess we just have to agree to disagree buddy(y)

[celine]

My favorites are (in that order):

- Jungle Room Sessions
- Memphis Sessions
- Nashville Marathon
- Wild In The Country & His Hand In Mine

(y)(y)(y)