Great-who cares what chart position a song is
David L. Banes | McEwen, Tennessee United States | 05/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"it doesn't make a hoot what chart position a cd or single makes.good music is good music and this is good happy music.carefree and easy to listen to ,not deep and political or full of social statements.charts can be manipulated any way the media wants and at this time in ELVIS career the media was pushing english bands.so listen to the music and enjoy.Elvis was Elvis and he did not conform to the music that the media thought he should be making.That is what made him THE KING!"
Some good, most bad
CJ Gish | Nampa, ID | 06/19/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"You can tell Elvis is losing interest in acting and singing by the time you get to "Spinout" and "Double Trouble". There are a few gems on both soundtracks.
On "Spinout" the title track is a mild rocker, along with "Adam And Evil" and "Stop, Look And Listen". The ballads "Am I Ready" and "All That I Am" are both very good, but after that you have trouble finding a decent song.
On "Double Trouble", there are some pretty decent fast-paced songs in "Long Legged Girl", "Baby If You'll Give Me All Of Your Love" and even "Double Trouble", but you can tell most of the music isn't very inspired. "Could I Fall In Love" is a sappy ballad that is halfway OK, but I couldn't recommend much else. I can say that I can never sing the traditional "Old MacDonald" ever again after growing up listening to Elvis' comedic version on this album. It may be goofy, but it sure is unforgettable, catchy and funny!"
35+ minutes of Movie Elvis '66
Phil S. | USA | 03/23/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Despite what the critics say, there were groovy tunes even on Presley's most dismissable '60s fluff pieces, and this package has plenty of them. Along with some things I wish I never heard.
"Spinout" has a more contemporary sound than say, "Girl Happy" or "Roustabout", and perhaps with new co-worker/Evis fan Felton Jarvis on hand, we have a strong clue as to why Elvis sings *out* on the songs - there's something of that '50s Big El feel on the uptempos. The opener is called "Stop, Look, and Listen", and was a kind of "lost" hit for EP, as it found it's wway to Bill Haley and Ricky Nelson pressings.
"Adam and Evil" has a great baritone rumble from the amazing voice box - better watched as a production number, though.
"Am I Ready?" is a pure formula valentine, but Elvis' nuanced, gentle approach makes the light lyric work. This was in the "I Will" (McCartney, '68) genre, and should be recognized as worthwhile.
Of the embarrassments, well, the music keeps 'em afloat, for example, the impossible medium tempo "Smorgasboard" has some subtle temp changes and nifty gitbox effects. "Beach Shack" has Latin music attributes and it flows, but, again, the lyrics...wo!
"I'll Be Back" is an unofficial Charlie Hodge "head" arrangement, as he apparently recalled the 4/4 of "Money Honey" and applied it to this closing movie number. Another nice production number, as well.
If "Old MacDonald" was not used on the next soundtrack here, "Double Trouble", it may have brought my review to a clean *4*. Apparently against Elvis' wishes, the number was pressed. Pointis, the rest of the soundtrack is pretty darn good, even has some jazz entries like "City By Night" and "There's So Much World To See" (seems to be borrow a taste from a "Bye, Bye Birdie" opus).
The "Am I Ready?" ballad counterpart is "Could I Fall In Love?", a beautiful entry, written by Randi Starr. Elvis sings with himself, either in unison or in harmony, and any singer or songwriter would have to be impressed. Typically crying out for further development, but it succeeds.
Personal suggestion on "Double Trouble" tracks: listen only to the left channel (or the channel which has the rhythm section, not the backup sngers, as good as they are). It's a gas. (Wait, that expression belongs to "Spinout"...[pause]).
"
