Reissue of the Movie Soundtrack with Previously Unreleased Outtakes and Eight Page Booklet.
CD Reviews
Classic Elvis!!
Grant Baensch | Geelong, Victoria Australia | 12/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD for the first time features the soundtrack of one of Elvis' most popular soundtracks. The sound quality is second to none and is a collector's dream. These songs were recorded in July/August 1963 and Elvis' commitment is obvious in the many outtakes featured on the CD. Highlights? Too many to mention but bonus points for the early take of Viva Las Vegas and the movie version of C'mon Everybody. As a long time Elvis fanatic this is a CD I had hoped would one day be released. Now it is. The packaging is also a highlight with rare photos and information. Buy with confidence."
Better late than never
Marc Haegeman | Gent, Belgium | 04/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Viva Las Vegas" is without doubt one of Elvis Presley's more convincing Hollywood outings with a good script, a superb set of songs, and the presence of Ann-Margret. For some perverse reason, though, the soundtrack has from the start been neglected and was never granted an album. At the time RCA considered the matter closed by releasing a single ("What'd I Say"/"Viva Las Vegas") and a four- song extended play in dull mono sound, leaving several songs on the shelve for years, or indeed, as in the case of the three Ann-Margret duets, ages after Elvis had been dead and buried. The present Follow That Dream release finally resurrects the soundtrack as it should, adding several outtakes as a delectable bonus, and presenting it all in outstanding sound quality and classy artwork. As has become customary in FTD's soundtrack releases there is a great booklet in a handy tri-fold digipack (the size of a 45rpm).
Better late than never. Enjoy!"
A long awaited album
Petter Sellers | 12/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Viva Las Vegas was one of the most profitable movies of Elvis Presley. The chemistry between Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret was lighting up the screen and all that chemistry is transcended into the many times neglected duets between the two leading actors.
Apart from the novelty piece "The Lady loves me" and the ever sensual "You're the Boss", we are presented with a musical gem that is to be cherished for many years now. The up-to-now solo version of the luscious ballad "Today, Tomorrow and Forever" is now given a new perspective. The beauty of the song is accentuated through the athereal vocals of Ann-Margret along with the lovely harmony between the two leads. The soundtrack of Viva Las Vegas overall presents the most diversified set of songs that have ever been set on a Presley movie. From the Italian classic "Santa Lucia" all the way to the traditional American medley of "The Yellow Rose of Texas - The Eyes of Texas" we are presented with distinctive melodies of separate lyrical and musical backgrounds.
The only shame remains that this time around, the second one following the Double Features presentation, the collection remains shy of the two Ann-Margret tunes featured in the film. That is really a great ommition when you take into consideration of the newly and pleasant appearence of "The Climb"
"
I was raised with a guitar in my hand and I was born to rock
Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 08/13/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the deluxe edition soundtrack to one of Elvis Presley's most popular movies. The songs Elvis recorded for the movie weren't assembled together as a proper soundtrack until this CD came out in 1993. This particular CD features all the Elvis songs from the movie, plus many bonus tracks. The songs are mostly very good, especially when compared to other Elvis soundtracks of the 1960s. The bonus tracks are mostly alternate takes of the songs from the soundtrack. There are alternate takes of all the songs except for "Santa Lucia" and the "Texas Medley", which are the least interesting songs anyway. The last song on this CD is "The Climb", which is a cover version of a Coasters song. Elvis doesn't sing it, Biggie McFadden does. But Elvis does sing backup vocals on it, along with the Jordanaires (Elvis can be heard speaking in between takes of the song). This would be a very nice addition to any Elvis fan's CD collection."