To overdub or not to overdubb (that's the question)

[Albert]

By now many people consider the overdubs done on the 70s albums as poor or not needed. Over the years we have heard many, many songs undubbed. Just compare the tracks on the "Jungleroom Sessions" with the tracks on "Moody Blue" and "From Elvis Presley Blvd". In my opinion songs like "Danny Boy" are way better 'pure' than with the overdubs.

If I'm not mistaken, most people agree with me on this

But still, there are a great deal of songs that I prefer to hear with the overdubs. Among these are:

* Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (sounds bluesier with the overdubs)
* Unchained Melody (album version sounds much more dynamic and powerfull than the solo version from ELvis live)
* Moody Blue (much more vivid and happy with the overdubs)
* Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (the horn overdubs makes this track even more rockin').

Do you also have tracks that you really, really prefer with overdubs?

[jbgude]

Well on the whole I seem to prefer the tracks without overdubs, especially the 70's. I could barely play the "Boulevard" album so "Jungleroom" is a great big improvement!

But one track from this set that I prefer with the overdubs is " The Last Farewell"....I also thought the Briggs overdub of "The 12th of Never" really improved that song.

Cannot really think of others right away but there are a rare few....

jb

[Elvos]

Totally agree on Whole lotta shakin,And Moody Blue also.
And I do like one of the first overdubs Tommorow Night....That's a good one..

[Lonniebealestreet]

Albert, that's a great question. In fact, coincidentally enough, when I was helping Mike with his site a few years ago I had a notion to write a piece on the subject with that exact title!

Anyhow, Duke...

Yes, overall I definitely agree. I haven't read Roger Semon's statement myself (anyone have a link?), but I understand we are going to be treated to some of the 70's albums with a similar treatment to what the soundtracks have gotten on FTD. Hopefully we will get undubbed masters as well as outtakes on them, in spite of the fact that I believe a while back Ernst had stated that he didn't believe they would release undubbed versions of the master takes (I guess except in cases where no alternates exist). But this is great news and I'd love to hear more details.

I agree that Moody Blue sounds better overdubbed, although I love to hear that complete master take. I love the way he sings "tell me who I'm talkin' to" a step higher towards the end there; I wish it was on the master recording.

Also agree about Unchained Melody for the reasons you gave, Albert. But the ending is another story (see review of FTD Spring Tours '77).

The overdubbed version of Twelfth Of Never is indeed beautiful. I just heard that for the first time maybe six months ago and was really knocked out by it.

I disagree about Whole Lotta Shakin'. To me the horns seem out of place on that song.

Hey, question: on the Silver Box, that version of Fool seemed to me to have more strings than other versions I've heard, and I really thought they sounded great. Can anyone confirm this, or am I mistaken?

But like most of us, generally speaking if I had to do with them or without them, I'd go without.

[NightRider]

I must say that most of the 70's stuff i prefer without...but thats only because i think it was mixed wrong in the first place.

Songs such as 'Its Easy For You' is a good example. Elvis' vocal is great...if only you could hear it better...as you can on the re-mastered version and even more so on the alternate take found on The Jungle Room Sessions.

So, i would say overdubs would be ok...if mixed to the right volume level in the first place...or Elvis' vocals mixed right i guess

Some are fine anyhow as already mentioned. I love the orchestral versions of 'Always on my mind' and 'Fool'...and 'Tomorrow Night' sounds so much better with the overdubs...as does 'The Twelth Of Never'.

[Albert]

Also I really dig the extra big arrangments on 'Always On My Minds' and 'My Boy' (the re-released versions). But then again, most of the ballads sound better, more intimate when it's presented as pure as possible.

Another question: In the early 80s, RCA released a LP (later on CD) in cooperation with the dutch fanclub called 'Our Memories Of Elvis'. It had many songs of Elvis in the 70s undubbed. But besides stripping the added overdubs, they also stripped more instruments on various tracks. Although some people complained that RCA didn't present the tracks as they were recorded before the overdubbes, I really enjoyed (and still do) that album.

So the question is: how many people would like to have a 70s album on FTD where masters or outtakes were stripped of some intruments to give us a more 'unplugged/undubbed' feeling? So just Elvis with very few instruments?

[Lonniebealestreet]

I'd like to hear that.

Heck, give me Elvis a cappella!

I wonder if those instruments were intentionally removed on Our Memories Of Elvis, Vols. 1 & 2 or not. It seems odd that the true undubbed masters were not all available (why would they not have been?) and so they had to recreate that sound by removing some channels and removed a few to many. Or was it not that at all, but simply a deliberate effort to give us a sound that was more bare than simply undubbed?

The objective, as stated on the albums anyway, was to present those songs the way they sounded in the studio, without all the additional instrumentation (paraphrased). Even if the intention was to give a further stripped down sound, it still seems like they would have started with the undubbed masters as that way they would have had less to remove. But it is clear, at least on some tracks, that they did not.

Sorry to digress. Whether you're talking about "extra-overdubbed" recordings, undubbed recordings, remixes, or whatever, it does not mean you are not a purist or a true fan or something like that if you enjoy these alternate forms of songs. I think what Elvis wanted out of a song is important to all of us, and certainly the originally released versions of all his songs should always be available to us (they're not--I know). But it is hard to argue about whether those or the undubbed versions are truer to Elvis's vision, or his ideal. Most likely, sometimes it's the former and sometimes, the latter.

Sometimes while recording in the studio, there was an understanding that this specific instrument will be added here, etc. But it wasn't always like that; I think a lot of times overdubs were applied just because it seemed like the thing to do. And I bet that Elvis was often completely satisfied with the take chosen as the master, as it was.

Although he gave the final approval on the finished product, it is known that he was not always happy with it.

Regarding some of the remixes and songs that have been overdubbed since their original production, I would keep in mind that Elvis may have liked them too.

The thing is, with a voice like Elvis's, we are bound to enjoy it in just about any way one might think to present it.

[NightRider]

I have wanted these 'Our memories of elvis' released on cd for years.
I have heard people moaning about the way too much was stripped from the songs...but i love them.They sound great to my ears...and always have, even going back to when i used to own the LP's. Boy, thats a while ago

I have a copy of both albums (CDR's)(infact its the only CDR's that i own )...but i don't want to pay the overblown prices that the 'its elvis time' cd's fetch. So, i would accept these released on FTD in a second

[curtis simpkins]

I love the overdubbs on " It's only Love" with the horns lot better then the undubbed version.

[Jungleroom76]

To be honest, it sounds to me like most everyone feels that Elvis' ballads should remain undubbed, while the more uptempo numbers should contain overdubs (with a couple of exceptions, like UNCHAINED MELODY and THE LAST FAREWELL).

Does anyone else see that trend? I think it's a good idea, for the most part....although I do agree that FAREWELL and MELODY should be left with the overdubs for the reasons given above....but I think Elvis' voice should be more prominent in the ballads he recorded during the 70's, thus my feelings that with some exceptions, the ballads should be as undubbed as possible...to showcase his amazing voice!!

Thoughts??

TCB!
Mike

[Albert]

So a FTD release with undubbed 70s ballads might be a big hit? That release would very much standout between the many sessions and live cd's

[sam]

I think "My Boy" sounds better with the overdubs!!!



(h)

[iamhekev]

The mans voice (at times) was drowned out with to much overdubs,and his vocal was lost.

Any of the other 70"s albums,that are said to get the FTD treatment,should be as good as the jungle room sessions .

When the jungle room sessions came out,it was such an eye opener,and its no wonder it"s a firm fav,in the fandom. (h)




KEV.

[Elvos]

Any of the other 70"s albums,that are said to get the FTD treatment,should be as good as the jungle room sessions .

When the jungle room sessions came out,it was such an eye opener,and its no wonder it"s a firm fav,in the fandom.




KEV.

With this I totally agree

[iamhekev]

Thank you kind sir




KEV.

[U.S. Male]

The overdubbed version of Promised Land is my personal favorite. What I'd like to know is there a list available of all overdubbed songs anywhere out there?

[E.L.V.I.S]

i have a list of the majority of overdubs available,if they will be of any use to anyone i will post them if you wish....

[New Jam]

Aron, that would be cool. Put up if you get soon free time. Know you are working hard on the new site.

Your friend, Jeff

[mn-designs]

So a FTD release with undubbed 70s ballads might be a big hit? That release would very much standout between the many sessions and live cd's

An idea for the october release??????????? i'm all for it!
The did something in that spirit on the close-up box, listen to: pieces of my life! man that song is a emotional son of a ....
And if they release this cd it will take over the number 1 spot ( jungle room sessions is now number 1) on the ftd toplist.

[E.L.V.I.S]

Aron, that would be cool. Put up if you get soon free time. Know you are working hard on the new site.

Your friend, Jeff

i will posts it asap