Search - Elvis Presley :: Elvis at the Movies

Nice collection for new, undemanding fans

Phil S. | USA | 06/15/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a nice, fun collection for new fans, or for those who did not buy any number of similiar sets. There's nothing for the historian, and in fact, there were several spots where something special could have been delivered: like the first appearance of the movie version of Tickle Me's "I Feel That I've Known You Forever" the movie versions of Kissin' Cousins' "Catchin' On Fast"; of ...World's Fair's "Happy Endings"; of Speedway's "Your Time Hasn't Come Back, Baby".

Perhaps some more imagination could also have been applied to "Do The Clam", a high energy tune featuring Boots Randolph. The pressing with the curious drop-out in sound is used, but that's one thing: this track should been pressed in mono, with the background voices muted and the syncopated hand-claps O-U-T. Similarly, "Long Legged Girl..." is the original album version, with the rhythm section in the left-field grandstand. Terrible.

Presumptive mistakes: the alternate take of the themesong from "Follow That Dream", as great as it is, and the original of "King of The Whole Wide World" without the long sax solo ending. Add the version of "I'm Yours" *not* used in Tickle Me - the 1962 album track with the narration.

The title song from "Clambake" is here in all it's ignoble glory, more rockin' that one might recall, but still an embarrassment. That movie actually had some entertaining tunes - they shoulda used "The Girl I Never Loved" or "A House That Has Everything".

The best sound here is from the '50s, particularly "Hard Headed Woman": all the instruments have great presence, especially that of Mr. Scotty Moore. Those who have determined he's really just an inspired *stylist* should check this one out - among others here: "Frankfurt Special" has alot of Sun Records ambience thanks to him, and "Rock-A Hula Baby" is handled perfectly. A light and bright, but insistent complement to a fun soundtrack tune.

[Superb notes by Michael Hill; cool cover shot of Elvis, circa. '66]."

A Fun Collection

Matt P. Swintek | 06/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I can't say that this collection holds any hidden secrets because it does not. In fact, if you are a die-hard Elvis fan, you probably carry much of the content of this set with you in the car. (Especially on disc one.) I think most of the "fun" tracks are on disc two.



My favorites are "Little Egypt," "Clambake", "Shake That Tambourine," and most notibly, "Long Legged Girl With The Short Dress On." Don't get me wrong, I like many of the songs. What is nice about this collection is that you get a neat variety packaged in one easy to carry set.



I will have to agree with the person who was complaining about the so-called REMASTERING. Case in point; "Long Legged Girl" is one of my favorite Elvis songs of all time. So much so that I recorded my own version in my home studio. I based my recording on an original copy of the 45 record. That version is SMOKIN' HOT! In the beginning of the song, the electric guitar jumps out of the speakers and smacks you right in the face! In this collection "Long Legged Girl" sounds very "tepid" to say the least. The guitars are held back, you can barely hear the horn section, and the dynamic levels are the same through the entire song.



I was very inclined to rate this as a three star collection rather than a four. I changed my mind at the last second basically because of the variety of tracks included in the set."

Thank you, Thank you very much!

Peter T. Greck | Pittsburgh, PA | 08/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thirty years since Elvis has retired and it amazes me how I continue to discover songs that are great! Although he was a great actor, a lot of his movies were bad. Having said that, his movie music was great. The first disc is a lot of what you still hear on the radio. The second disc is more so music you would not of herd unless you watched all his movies. What a treat! The best part is the music has been remastered and sounds fantastic. You have to remember that some of these songs are 40 plus years old. Once you recieve this CD in the mail, you will not "Return to Sender"."