SPINOUT - A Classic Soundtrack?

[NEA]

Hi Guys,

So, which fans are into the 'groovy' rock & pop soundtrack of Elvis' 22nd motion picture, "SPINOUT"?

I think it makes for good listening and the album is topped off nicely with three classy bonus songs. I know a few fans that are very critical of songs like 'Smorgasbord' and 'Beach Shack' and that's probably because they appear to be from that same 'cotton candy' market with the likes of 'Do The Clam', 'Yoga Is As Yoga Does' and 'Hey, Hey, Hey'.

But, there appears to be something quite charming and distinctive going on throughout this soundtrack, and I'm not including the bonus songs on the album at this point by stating that. I mean, if it wasn't for the soundtrack of songs in the movie, I feel that this would be one of those Elvis movies that I wouldn't include in my list of favourites.

If I had to recommend a mid-60's soundtrack album to any new fans then this would be high on the list of 'must-have's'. It most definitely takes the 'soundtrack gong' over 'Harum Scarum', 'Paradise Hawaiian Style' and 'Frankie & Johnny' from this period.

There is some great rock guitar and drumming work going on throughout the 'Spinout' sessions and not to mention good ol' Boots Randolph on that magical saxophone - it certainly is a highlight of the song 'Smorgasbord', do you not think so?

And, speaking of that song, the spelling of which has come under close scrutiny on the re-packaged FTD Label release of 'Spinout' - check it out!

Any thoughts?

NEA.

[robman]

i think "spinout" is a good song and so is "beach shack"

[orwell1976]

Are you serious? They tried to update Elvis' sound by adding "modern" instruments and include more rhythmic numbers. But it was still some kind of Hollywood-Plastic-Pop, just with "modern" instruments and a little more rhythm.

But you are right, it could have been a lot worse. It's listenable, but no classic!

:hmm:

[NEA]

I'm glad they used more modern techniques like the addition of an organ and so forth,whilst recording at the 'Spinout' sessions. It was very much needed on these crummy soundtracks - It's quite bearable to listen to as opposed to watching the scripts unfold on screen. Plus, another bonus is the fact that the songs were not written for the purpose of being involved in a 'crazy' scene which involves Elvis singing to ducks on the back of trucks, dogs in helicopters, or Bulls on a ranch.

[NEA]

Here's a link to a nice wee objective review in the movies forum from 'likethebike', which combines both film and soundtrack:

http://www.tcb-world.com/showthread.php?t=2140


Cheers,

NEA.

[ELV1S]

the only good songs on Spinout are the 3 bonus tracks

Tomorrow Is A Long Time
I'll Remember You
Down In The Alley

the soundtrack songs are aweful compared other released music that same year by other artists

[moody_ blue]

ik think elvis mist the most populair
music years the 60s
and thats so sad he couldend have made
beatiful music exuse me for my bad english
and imagin the live shows he could have done
in the sixties but he must play in those stopid
movies girls on the beach en things like that
im sorry to say that but that is how i think about it
ofcourse there are some good movies like jailhouse rock
loving you king creole but shit like doubele trouble
kissin cousens follw that dream man he hase the best voice
ever used it right

moody blue

[moody_ blue]

ok i forgot flaming star
thats a good movie to
anyone agree with me?

moody blue

[ELV1S]

I always tell non-fans to hear Elvis' golden years 1954-1962 & 1969 because you cant go wrong - the movies are good too - so yeh i agree moody blue (y)

Elvis or should I say the colonel made alot of mistakes from 1964-1968, as soon as The Beatles arrived you had to change your music to appeal to more audiences but mainly to TOUR like The Beatles did during 1964-1966 to promote albums becasue its the only way it would sell and get number one albums

Pot Luck could have reached number one album if he had toured with a few songs from the album as well as old standards - maybe even His Hand In Mine could have too

[moody_ blue]

ok elvis

and than the very good album elvis is back
was a great album and thaths what i like
to say he couldent have made wonderful
albums and shows that time

moody blue

[NEA]

"POT LUCK" was a NUMBER 1 album in the UK in 1962 - without any touring involved.

And, believe it or not, the "Roustabout" Soundtrack sold it's way to the Top-Spot on the Billboard charts in January, 1965!

So, if "Roustabout" was able to make a commercial success for itself with songs like 'Carny Town', 'It's Carnival Time', 'Wheels On My Heels' , 'Little Egypt' and 'Poison Ivy League', then what happened with "Spinout"?!- there's no songs on this soundtrack, with the exception of one or two previously mentioned, that talks about 'hula dancers shaking their grass' and 'Popcorn, Peanuts and Cotton Candy' plus a 'diamond big as texas on her toe'!!

Strange.

[ELV1S]

I cant seem to work that out either

and i was referring to the USA Pot Luck not reaching number one (y)

[Jungleroom76]

While I don't know if I can personally call the SPINOUT soundtrack a "classic" album of Elvis', I often pull out my copy and give it a spin in the ol' CD player! :D

Especially when listening to the outtakes that are on the FTD upgraded version, it just seems like Elvis is in a much more lighthearted mood than in some of his previous soundtrack recording sessions. (I especially love Alt. Takes 1-3 of BEACH SHACK!!)

While I must say that all of the material from the SPINOUT sessions aren't all top-notch songs (SMORGASBOARD, BEACH SHACK), they are quite catchy (STOP, LOOK & LISTEN, NEVER SAY YES, SPINOUT) and a couple of beautiful ballads (ALL THAT I AM, AM I READY) only add to the above average quality of the soundtrack, in my opinion. Of course, the 3 bonus tracks (DOWN IN THE ALLEY, TOMORROW IS A LONG TIME, I'LL REMEMBER YOU) are definitely worth the price of admission alone!!! (y)

And let's not forget....the SPINOUT soundtrack contained a song that was actually under consideration for an Academy Award nomination....I'LL BE BACK!!! (Which I personally think is a VERY cool song!!) ;)

TCB!
Mike

[NEA]

Hey Jungleroom,

Would love to hear more about that nomination for "I'll Be Back" - any information?

NEA.

[nashville cat]

Both Spinout and Kissin' Cousins (believe it or not) get my nod for most underrated sixties' soudtracks.

Yes, there are a couple of stinker songs on each, but also some good songs, great singing and great playing by the band.

[KPM]

I have always liked Spinout, the music and movie. It recalls to me a simpler time when you could go to the movies and have an hour and a half of pure farce. The movies were more about letting you forget your worries for a while than reminding you of them. Back when his movies were coming out 2 and 3 a year we could not wait to go see them-good or bad.

[pete dube]

Besides the modern backing the Spinout album benefits from some fairly decent rock tunes that are performed by Elvis & company with energy. Stop, Look and Listen and Adam and Evil lack the sheer cornyness of psuedo-rock stuff like Rock-a-Hula Baby or Bossa Nova Baby. Spinout is ok lyrically, but the bridge ("The road to love is full of danger signs") is very catchy, and the tune has a contemporary (for that time) groove to it. The ballads are melodic and well sung, if a bit bland lyrically. I'll Be Back is a good, bluesy number. Never Say Yes is a bit corny lyrically, but the Bo Diddly beat does grab you. The only truly cringe-inducing numbers are Smorgasbord and Beach Shack.

[JerryNodak]

A "Classic" soundtrack? I don't know. That's all according to personal definition/taste. When I think of classic soundtracks from the '60s G.I. Blues and Blue Hawaii come immediately to mind. Perhaps Fun In Acapulco. Maybe even Girls, Girls, Girls or Roustabout.

Having said all that, Spinout has always been a favorite of mine. I love the title song.

The word "classic" is overused. Just like "essential".

[elvisville]

Spinout wasn't as bad as some of the soundtracks, but i would never refer to it as a classic.

[TCBnAflash]

SPINOUT is a BadAss Song...Elvis movie or Not. I think Spinout overall was a good album. All the songs were pretty much fun. The movie had a good comedy beat throughout it too. Elvis made pretty much everything work. The 3 bonus songs should've been on a non-movie soundtrack LP. I agree on that. It was the same with the 1963 recording session. Instead of releasing an LP with all them good songs, Western Union, Long Loney Highway, You'll Be Gone, they spread them out as bonus songs on soundtracks.

[Lisarose]

Spinout is good, I personally prefer the ballads in this one. Plus I'll be Back is as good a rocking song as any he did in the 50s, IMO.

My favorite soundtrack, however, is Viva Las Vegas. Second would be Roustabout or Blue Hawaii. My new favorite song is RELAX from It Happened at the World's Fair. I especially love when Elvis sings R&B - hands down!(y)

[srj1967]

Crap movie, crap soundtrack ...