Elvis Fans killing new releases????????

[mn-designs]

If you read some forums and reviews of all the latest releases by BMG or FTD than you can imaging that the big chiefs will stop releasing high quality cd's and dvd's..
Really some fans are always complaining about something- or the covers or content or sound-..
For us designers it's not a way of complaining (the remake of covers), but to try to do it better with matching pictures and information.
I think when we continue to burn down all the stuff that's released by bmg/ftd that they stop releasing the better stuff (like the latest dvd's and cd's) and that we end up with lot's of releases like 30 #1 hits, and that most people Elvis only know by Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog ect..
So please give the companies some credit and write something postive! that's the only way to keep the great releases coming from BMG/FTD!.

[EAP_2005]

I agree, Patrick. I certainly have no complaints about the releases we get from BMG. The amount of new material we get to hear now, when compared to the 1980's, is fabulous.

The sound quality of recent releases such as 'Elvis at Sun', 'Recorded live on stage in Memphis' & 'Close Up' is a joy to listen too.

I don't think there's anything wrong with constructive criticism, as I think it enabled BMG to hear what the fans wanted - but credit where credits due, things are very good for Elvis fans in 2004.

[NightRider]

Some complaints are warranted...that much is certain, but i do agree that the amout of complaints is un-deserved and indeed un-fair on BMG/FTD.

I agree they are as a whole there are terrific releases coming out of BMG compared to what we used to get in years gone by. All i say as a word of caution is...don't go over the top in the praise if it is not deserved. If they make mistakes say so...but people must keep it real.

[mn-designs]

It's good to see that i'm not alone on this matter
And yes we were getting some below standars releases a few years back but Ernst and his staff and the all the people from EPE are doing the best they can these days and that's putting out some of the best releases we had in a long, long time!
And we were a little spoiled by the amazing sound of the 30 #1 hits, it's still is the best sounding cd out there, better in my opnion than 2nd to none..that was a fine sounding cd also..keep them coming!

[E.L.V.I.S]

very true patrick however,

Elvis fans have been complaining about rca releases for years now yet that seems not to bother them.Can we truthfully say that rca dont deserve the bad comments ,they do deserve them .Basically in modern times the record companies have became more concerned about the money then the artist them selves.Why is the reason they wont give us a official release of '77?
because they are worried it will decrese Elvis' popularity and sales,they dont think of the fans who have been just that for many years now they just think about those people who arent fans,and if you can prove otherwise id like to here it....Yes FTD have given us the most fantastic releases of modern times ,i dont have a problem with them its RCA i got a problem with.They should stop aiming Elvis towards people who arent Elvis fans and start aiming towards those that are ,aron.

[curtis simpkins]

Heck

i buy anything on Elvis, and i don't really care about the cover, just the music
that count's.

sometimes i reather just have the song text much bigger, on back of the cd cover, so we can read them so much better.

[E.L.V.I.S]

curtis i thought you once said the reason i love viynl is the fact the cover was bigger and you could look at the picture on the cover etc???? ,aron.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I agree with most of what's been said here.

The criticism leveled at BMG is for the most part way over the top, but there are some legitimate reasons to complain.

The biggest one I can think of is the overall handling of the Elvis catalogue. First of all, a lot of the releases, or the titles kept active, are redundant while so much other great music can no longer be found. So there doesn't seem to be too much method to the madness. But the thing that bothers me the most about it is the apparent lack of faith the powers that be have in selling Elvis to non-fans (which has to be considered if you want to keep his popularity up over the years) on his music which was not in the top 40 or whatever, and images of him which were not from the fifties, the Comeback Special, TTWII, or Aloha.

Just to pick a title out of the air, who here does not think a song like Goodtime Charlie's Got The Blues deserves a spot on a heavily promoted E1/E2-like project? And what about all the great images of him in the post-Aloha period like those we've seen on this website? I think they need to do some market research or something, because I think they are missing out on opportunities to draw in a whole new kind of audience.

[E.L.V.I.S]

Just to pick a title out of the air, who here does not think a song like Goodtime Charlie's Got The Blues deserves a spot on a heavily promoted E1/E2-like project?

this is what i mean when i say they aim their releases at non-elivis fans.Yep for sure we want to keep the popularity growing however each of rca's releases seem to be for non-elvis fans.They on the odd occasions give us a couple of nice rare releases,e.g aloha new dvd,today,tomorrow and forever etc etc.....however these are just either boxsets or limited editions which cost a ton.The thing that i laugh about is how they are offended when Elvis fans buy themselves a un-official import cd/bootleg,WHAT DO THEY EXPECT? elvis fans want something new,aron.

[Albert]

I am not complaining about FTD releases. But I do think some things could have been better. However, I see every FTD release as a treat for the fans. There's not one FTD CD that I regret buying.

But I am NOT happy the way BMG keeps marketing Elvis towards the mass audience. And as long as they keep thinking that they (the mass audience) only want the 50's-early 60's Elvis and 'Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel' pictures, I will continue my crusade. There much more Elvis to give to the world. The big sales of 'ALLC', 'Rubberneckin', the Aloha en NBC DVD's prove my right.

Just look at this and any other forum, and in big lines you can say that the older fans (the ones that grew up in the 50's with Elvis) like the 50s and early 60's, but that the new fans (discovered Elvis through their parents, mostly after Elvis' death), prefer the older Elvis. I believe that the post '67 Elvis connects better with modern times.

[E.L.V.I.S]

Just look at this and any other forum, and in big lines you can say that the older fans (the ones that grew up in the 50's with Elvis) like the 50s and early 60's, but that the new fans (discovered Elvis through their parents, mostly after Elvis' death), prefer the older Elvis. I believe that the post '67 Elvis connects better with modern times

ok heres an example:

i walk into my room to play a little elvis whats the first cd i play.....a 70's one,YOU HERE THAT RCA A 70'S ONE.i mean yep the ladies in modern times find 50's elvis sexy and goodlooking but is that the reason that they use this era all the time ,yep it is.Do they not see times are changing and what people like is to and 70's Elvis is cool,very cool (h) .Why do you think the import/bootleg industrie for elvis is so popular with some fans? because they give out beautiful covers with 70's pictures and 70's content,dont get me wrong guys i love all and every era of the king but isnt the 50's marketed a little too much?Do you know why rca dont dare touch the 70's elvis? because of silly stupid impersontors wearing wigs and crap ,aron.

[EAP_2005]

I think EPE & BMG/RCA feel a lot has been done in recent years to improve Elvis' standing in the general public's eye, following the very negative press Elvis received following his death, culminating in Albert Goldman's 1981 book 'Elvis'.

I wouldn't blame a casual fan for not believing Elvis did very much after January 14th 1973 - when we know he recorded some of his finest music & turned in some great live performances during the last few years of his life.
As much of a dog lover as I am, what was 'Old Shep' doing on 2001's '50 Greatest Love Songs'? My choice would have been something like 'Lovin Arms' or 'Sweet Angeline'.

I'm not holding my breath for an official release of 'Elvis in Concert 1977' as I think the estate would be very nervous it would go against the image they wish to promote - but I do hope they might make it available one day via collector's outlets.

[Albert]

@ Aron: most of the girls I know prefer the "NBC Elvis" over the "Teddy Bear Elvis" from 1956-1958.

[E.L.V.I.S]

@ Aron: most of the girls I know prefer the "NBC Elvis" over the "Teddy Bear Elvis" from 1956-1958

ok albert.

I'm not holding my breath for an official release of 'Elvis in Concert 1977' as I think the estate would be very nervous it would go against the image they wish to promote - but I do hope they might make it available one day via collector's outlets.

i too wont be holding my breath as we would all die of lack of oxygen intake ,77 is available on the un-official market has been for years but i want it official,and now ,aron.

[NightRider]

Yeah....i gotta agree there....the point that the 70's Elvis is almost a swear word to standard BMG releases is a valid one.

There are so many missed opportunities especially on the widely released compilations.

Ftd does fair better of course...but why are these not readily available in any high street shop ? Something that has puzzled me since the FTD's began. Because they don't appeal to the general public...well they are not going to be the ones buying them anyhow.
The Jungle Room Sessions is a prime example. That is one hell of a release and i am convinced it would have sold big had it had the correct treatment.
But could you see them putting it on general release ? I think not.

The whole stategy of BMG does worry me. Millions of pounds were spent on promoting the Aloha and NBC DVD's...really ?

And then there is the classic pulling of the plug on ALLC.... when it was at No1..they delete it what on earth was that about...a certain already has been on the same label.....crazy

As i have said...when they get it wrong...which they often do with the 70's Elvis...we should say so...but also praise when they get it right.

I have said before in reference to the FTD's...a day will come when the pot is empty....and a sad day that will be. But then what will we be moaning ablout i wonder

[curtis simpkins]

curtis i thought you once said the reason i love viynl is the fact the cover was bigger and you could look at the picture on the cover etc???? ,aron.

Hi aron.

i did said that about vinyl, but on a cd or a cdr i like to read the text, the
text on these cds some time there hard to read them. but on the vinyl
album cover you can read them clear.

but anyway i still buy elvis on cd and vinyl.

[iamhekev]

With the latest news from roger semon,saying that the orig,albums(with outtakes)are in the pipeline to be done,i would like some of this stuff,put out to the main public,so they can hear the man at his best,ie,working up to the master,and that would be eye opener to a lot of people.

I have pals who are amazed that some of the stuff that they like(on stage in memphis,so high,easter special,etc)are not (in the main) in the local shops not all fans have the net,or are getting mag"s etc.

The stuff that bmg/epe has put out,is breathtaking,and this is with out doubt,going to bring in new fans to the fandome,and i hope that the ftd cds,will be out there,and not hidden away,fron public view.




KEV.

[Tom in North Carolina]

The bottom line is that RCA/BMG/EPE are business's built and sustained by profit. Do you honestly think they give a rat's *** what we think of the releases as long as we buy them? If you buy one of their products, you, of course, have the right to say anything you want whether it be positive or negative. However, I seriously doubt whether or not they are going to concern themselves with the fact that you thought you should get take 3 of this or that vs. take 5 as they head to the bank with our money.

Tom

[E.L.V.I.S]

The bottom line is that RCA/BMG/EPE are business's built and sustained by profit. Do you honestly think they give a rat's *** what we think of the releases as long as we buy them? If you buy one of their products, you, of course, have the right to say anything you want whether it be positive or negative. However, I seriously doubt whether or not they are going to concern themselves with the fact that you thought you should get take 3 of this or that vs. take 5 as they head to the bank with our money

couldnt agree more .FTD are superb have no problem with them but rca/bmg are just all about money as you say.I mean look at a little less single,why was there no video already made before they released the single? they did a rushed job and gave us a very perfetic video instead.Give me one reason why they cant release if i can dream single in the weeks coming,timing is right,they ould use the video from the new dvd and it is just such a great song yet rca seem to show no intrest.Why havent rca had billboard signs and adverts in the press,because they were to tight to pay for it as they didnt believe the new releases would do as well as they did.They cant say they dont have the money to pay for it as surely graceland and other incomes to the elvis estate is enough to pay for such promotions?........

[NightRider]

Do you honestly think they give a rat's *** what we think of the releases as long as we buy them?
Tom

Sad but very true