There's a mistake in amazon's song listing for the new "Fun
Michael Slater | Massapequa Park, NY United States | 02/21/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In amazon's song listing for the new Sony Special Products CD re-issue of the "Fun In Acapulco" LP, it states that the song "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" is "take 1" instead of the master take that was originally included on the LP. I was very upset when I read this because I've been waiting forever for Elvis' soundtrack LP's to be released on CD in their ORIGINAL form, and I can't stand it when the record companies tamper with something that was perfect the way it was when it was originally released...which they have done time and time again! However, I noticed on the CD cover that there is no mention whatsoever about this song being an alternate take, so I took a chance and bought it. As it turns out, the original master IS on here after all, and NOT take 1, as stated here on amazon. I have seen this CD mentioned on a few Elvis websites as well, and they also state that "take 1" is included in place of the master. I have no idea where this info came from, but I thought other fans, who are purists like me, might like to know that the original master of this song IS the version that's included on the CD! All of Elvis' soundtracks were released on CD in the early '90's as "Double Features", two complete soundtracks on each disc. However, many of the songs were re-mixed and they sounded nowhere near as good as the original mixes from the original LP's. The sound on many of these songs was very muddy and the stereo separation was not nearly as good either. Many of these CD's featured scenes from the films on the front and back covers also, instead of the original front and back cover LP art, which I MUCH prefer! On the new Sony Special Products CD re-issues of Elvis' soundtracks, you get the ORIGINAL LP's in their ORIGINAL MIX, along with ALL THE ORIGINAL FRONT AND BACK COVER LP ART, with just a few very minor changes, mostly involving the way the song titles are listed on the back. Aside from that, the back cover LP art looks 99.9 percent like the originals! Sony re-issued 8 of these soundtracks, and I'm hoping they release the rest of them soon as well. These were all released in celebration of what would have been Elvis' 75th Birthday this year."
A long awaited re-issue of a great Elvis Presley album
Petter Sellers | 12/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fun in Acapulco in many ways was a very successful soundtrack of a Presley movie for a reason apart from its original sales. The Latin feeling and its uncompromising south of the border beat seem to provide a platform of very exciting tunes, fresh either in performance either in song presentation. Even the ever considered silly tune "(There's) No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car" holds an utterly playful performance that requires to be taken for what it really is, a happy tune. As far as happy tunes go, the soundtrack is filled with many of them that simply have you at least tapping your feet to the Latin beat. The song "Mexico" in its alternate version makes you wonder why did the album producers preferred the version that provides the film version that excludes sporadic verses due to the duet sequence that is showcased in the film between Elvis and his new little Mexican friend. The full version in terms of lyrics provides a wonderful listening and dancing experience and above all shows the undisputed talent of Presley to artistically tap into a foreign musical venue with great charisma and unmistaken performing talent. Furthermore, the album provides some very romantic themes that can be easily considered as Presley top love songs, the case is made certainly for the song "Marguerita" an overtly passionate and filled with Latin feeling tune that is both tender and sad.
The album overall is a 5 star experience to any listener."
Enjoy and have fun!
Marc Haegeman | Gent, Belgium | 08/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Elvis aficionados will cherish this new release covering the well-known soundtrack, as well as the 2 bonus tracks originally included on the original LP ("Love Me Tonight" and "Slowly But Surely"), plus 14 outtakes from the sessions from "Fun in Acapulco". The sound quality of the "New Orthophonic High Fidelity Recording" is everything it promises and even a lot more. The presentation with all the original artwork and an excellent booklet in a handy tri-fold digipack (the size of a 45rpm) is a treat. For more than a few hours of fun."
Fans * * * * / Rest * * = strong * * *
Phil S. | USA | 06/27/2010
(3 out of 5 stars)
"A much more satisfying enterprise than the pasty and paltry soundtrack to It Happened at the World's Fair, though, in spots, Elvis sounds just a tad disgusted. I say, in spots, because generally he does some of his best singing in his career! To wit, a masterpiece written by the great Don Roberston, "Margarita", in which Elvis applies his art in such a way to temporarily sway his most Sun Records-oriented fans. There's a touch of Billy Eckstine on "You Can't Say No In Acapulco", another Latinesque offering, beautifully done.
Uptempo numbers are handled with zest and there's plenty of "South of the Border" atmospherics; plus a surprisingly good sound mix.
Fans will enjoy a terrific pressing of the closing number, a non-movie tune
[well, it turned up in "Tickle Me", no problem] "Slowly But Surely", a beat with a bounce, and a cool, mellow warble from the King Of Pop.
[Fans also please note that (in my very humble opinion) there are remarkably better renditions of "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here" and "The Bullfighter Was A Lady" on "Silver Screen Stereo" CD on the Follow That Dream label]."