Just found this article on Elvisinfonet.com:
FTD Good News, Bad News - How many years to go?: In the EXCELLENT new issue of 'Elvis The Man & His Music' editor Trevor Cajiao catches up for a long and interesting interview with Ernst Jorgensen.
In it Ernst answers questions about the new FTD releases 'Promised Land' and'Wonderful World Of Christmas' (why the true undubbed 'Merry Christmas Baby' was not included), the odd idea behind the splicing of 'Stage Rehearsal', Legacy releases,FTD books (the fiasco of 'Fashion For A King' "I think the book is important but the mistakes are very annoying") as well as a long discussion on Public Domain releases and the MRS label.
Bad News is the decline in sales for FTD and all CD releases -
Ernst - "There is a steady decline on sales of all product, but that's happening in the record business generally. To some extent it's also the same with FTD - no more so on 5" than on 7" - at least only marginally. In the beginning we couldn't see that PD releases and bootlegs affected the sales of our product, but we certainly can now. There is a LOT of product available to the fans, and obviously almost everybody is struggling to keep up.
We sell less than half of what we did a few years ago.
On how long FTD will be able to keep releasing live concert soundboards - "A shot from the hip - two to three years? Ask me again then."
Good News is Ernst's comments on future releases -
On the 1969 Memphis sessions outtakes"of course the material will be made available at some point"
On Classic Albums - "We will release all the original albums in the 'Classic Albums' format, if we have something to include that makes it worthwhile."
He also notes that "Elvis In Concert" is in FTD's release plan, although not anywhere in the near future.
On the Legacy Series - "They sell very well in America - on a completely different level than FTD. The decision on how many more and how much longer is entirely up to the Legacy people. Roger and I just come up with proposals."
For more information, visit www.elvisinfonet.com
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
Just received my new issue of THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC but haven't had a chance to read it yet...guess I'd better crack it open and read Ernst's interview!!
It's good to see ELVIS IN CONCERT is indeed in FTD's future plans, even if it isn't on their plate immediately!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
Interesting article in EMM............
"NO-ONE, BUT NO-ONE,IS HIS EQUAL, OR EVER WILL BE. HE WAS, AND IS SUPREME".Mick Jagger
I have to say that the article in the latest issue of THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC with Ernst was very insightful.
One thing that fans have been clamoring for is a release of ELVIS IN CONCERT in the "Classic Albums" format!! Unfortunately, although EIC is in the "release plan", it is a difficult issue. According to Ernst in the article, referring to the ELVIS IN CONCERT album being released in the "Classic Albums" series:
"It'll be very expensive to do because the original tapes aren't in great shape so there'd need to be remixing done, and those New York studios don't come cheap! With the shrinking market being the way it is we will have to take a hit on it if we put it out. But when 'From Elvis In Memphis' isn't out yet, it would seem somewhat disturbing to me to move 'Elvis In Concert' forward in the release plan"
Another pair of albums that fans want to see in the "Classic Albums" format are MOODY BLUE and FROM ELVIS PRESLEY BOULEVARD, MEMPHIS TENNESSEE. Fortunately, these albums were asked about in the article and Ernst stated "I don't see why these particular albums wouldn't work." He did mention that "all original albums" would be issued in the "Classic Albums" format, but only "if we have something to include that makes it worthwhile."
Another interesting fact Ernst pointed out was that the "Classic Albums" release of the BLUE HAWAII soundtrack was "one of the few disappointing 'Classic Albums' from a sales point of view." This was mentioned in response to the question being asked about a possible future 2-CD release of the BLUE HAWAII soundtrack to counteract the upcoming release from the "Memphis Recording Studio" release of previously unreleased BLUE HAWAII outtakes.
Definitely a very insightful interview from Ernst and something that I hope he takes the time to do more often, not only in the various Elvis magazines, but with some of the Elvis websites as well!!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
Hey! thanks for sharing this insightful info! I knew Elvis in Concert got to be on the plans, but yes, if there is any risk for FTD to be shut down before all the material on the vaults will be out, it sure does make sense to take care of the '69 and '76 Memphis Sessions first.Originally Posted by Jungleroom76
I have to say that the article in the latest issue of THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC with Ernst was very insightful.
One thing that fans have been clamoring for is a release of ELVIS IN CONCERT in the "Classic Albums" format!! Unfortunately, although EIC is in the "release plan", it is a difficult issue. According to Ernst in the article, referring to the ELVIS IN CONCERT album being released in the "Classic Albums" series:
"It'll be very expensive to do because the original tapes aren't in great shape so there'd need to be remixing done, and those New York studios don't come cheap! With the shrinking market being the way it is we will have to take a hit on it if we put it out. But when 'From Elvis In Memphis' isn't out yet, it would seem somewhat disturbing to me to move 'Elvis In Concert' forward in the release plan"
Another pair of albums that fans want to see in the "Classic Albums" format are MOODY BLUE and FROM ELVIS PRESLEY BOULEVARD, MEMPHIS TENNESSEE. Fortunately, these albums were asked about in the article and Ernst stated "I don't see why these particular albums wouldn't work." He did mention that "all original albums" would be issued in the "Classic Albums" format, but only "if we have something to include that makes it worthwhile."
Another interesting fact Ernst pointed out was that the "Classic Albums" release of the BLUE HAWAII soundtrack was "one of the few disappointing 'Classic Albums' from a sales point of view." This was mentioned in response to the question being asked about a possible future 2-CD release of the BLUE HAWAII soundtrack to counteract the upcoming release from the "Memphis Recording Studio" release of previously unreleased BLUE HAWAII outtakes.
Definitely a very insightful interview from Ernst and something that I hope he takes the time to do more often, not only in the various Elvis magazines, but with some of the Elvis websites as well!!
TCB!
Mike
By the way, once you read the whole interview, could you share the answer about: Why the true undubbed 'Merry Christmas Baby' was not included on FTD's the Wonderful World of Christmas? it was kind of weird they didn't and so, the old Reconsider Baby CD (with awful digital 80's remastering sound and no longer available) is the only way to go for that.
Many thanks!
EIC in classic album format? Interesting, we can now think how it should be done.
We all know that only 2 shows were recorded profi on June tour, BUT we know that there are numerous of recordings from Spring Tour. There is a question if there is any show from March - April Tour recorded in full. My solution would be:
A) 2nd CD - Full Rapid City concert (it should be released as better from the two shows and also as last full pro recorded show), and 1st CD tracks with Omaha with songs from Spring Tour. I´m not sure what to do with Fans commentary. I do not like them as they break the feeling of "being at the concert"...
B) 1st CD - remix original album and 2nd CD - full An Arbor show (as its rumoured as the best show from 77).
I don't believe any of the March/April '77 shows were recorded in full by RCA. I believe I read (Ernst's book possibly?) that RCA only recorded portions of the shows hoping to catch songs that Elvis only did live on stage or to capture rare performances. HOWEVER, I would imagine that some of these shows were recorded in full from the soundboard...EIC in classic album format? Interesting, we can now think how it should be done.
We all know that only 2 shows were recorded profi on June tour, BUT we know that there are numerous of recordings from Spring Tour. There is a question if there is any show from March - April Tour recorded in full. My solution would be:
A) 2nd CD - Full Rapid City concert (it should be released as better from the two shows and also as last full pro recorded show), and 1st CD tracks with Omaha with songs from Spring Tour. I´m not sure what to do with Fans commentary. I do not like them as they break the feeling of "being at the concert"...
B) 1st CD - remix original album and 2nd CD - full An Arbor show (as its rumoured as the best show from 77).
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
Here was the original question asked by Trevor Cajiao of THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC:
"What's the story behind the mix of 'Merry Christmas Baby' on FTD's 'Wonderful World of Christmas'? Although we now get the complete unedited take 1 with short rehearsal, it is the same mix used in the 80's on 'Memories of Christmas' where, halfway through, the original mix was reinserted for about a minute and ten seconds to include Eddie Hinton's guitar overdub. There is a slightly shorter edit of 'Merry Christmas Baby' (7:16) on the 'Reconsider Baby' album but at least it's a perfect mix of the original undubbed studio jam. Couldn't that version have been used for the FTD release rather than the botched 'Memories Of Christmas' mix?"
And here is Ernst's answer to that question...
It could have, and it probably should have been used, but even more to the point, we should have remixed the entire version. But if we'd done that then it starts getting silly because we'd be presenting a totally undubbed version just for the sake of it, and in doing so we'd be removing a great guitar solo.
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
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