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50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, April 13, 2007 | Music
For those that did not notice yet: a real classic album is released in this FTD series. Let’s try to answer the quickpoll question of the moment “Is this release also a classic?”.

Design

Whether you like it or not, this cover is a real classic. Probably one of the most imitated album covers ever. So FTD could hardly go wrong here… but they did it again: unfortunately it isn’t the real original artwork That cute little HMV doggie has gone out and is replaced with the old RCA logo. Probably it has to do with the disclaimer at the back of the cover “The enclosed record graphics are simulated to reflect the original issues. While every effort is made to replicate artwork, some original logos, labels and wording have been changed for legal reason”. It’s understandable, but still ridiculous!

The booklet was missing in my copy, but gladly I could manage to borrow it from someone (who doesn’t know yet ;-)). It is nice with lots of session info and great memorabilia. The only minus in my eyes is the strange halo that Elvis has on the two pagesize colour pictures. I know he is almost holy to a lot of fans… but it goes too far for me.

Content

Music wise FTD could not go wrong with this album, at least not for me… since this is Elvis at his best. I used to have the album on a cassette tape back in the seventies and had to replace it pretty soon with the album (unfortunately the stupid European version). I wore out the tape completely. There was only one song I didn’t really dig at the time: I didn’t like the high howling in “My Wish Came True”. To be honest, I still think it is one of his weakest songs, certainly of the 50s.

This is the only slightly negative thing I can come up with on this album (ouch, that hurts!). Even the (other) ballad “Don’t” was a beauty in my ears – while I was not at a ballad age at all, normally everything had to rock.
The bonus masters “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, “Ain’t That Loving You, Baby” and “Doncha’ Think It’s Time” (single master) are obvious additions and on the same level as the original album.

With a lot of full session discs there is almost always a point that I get a bored nervousness over me and I have to abort it. That’s why I liked “Totally Stung!” so much. Still with these songs I don’t get that feeling, I played both discs twice today without having the urge to press the stop, skip or whatever button.
I already saw some complaints that there isn’t too much new on these discs, but I have to stress it once more: not every fan has access to bootlegs or wants them. It’s the job of FTD to make this material available to everyone!!

On the sound I can say only two words: “Kevan Budd”. Thank God, Buddha, Allah or even Elvis himself for not having that woman with the same initials as me behind the equipment!

Conclusion

I have one: “alter your votes for the FTD Top 40!”, at least I will. Thanks Ernst & Co!

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Matt W wrote on April 14, 2007
With regards to the cover art - would the original USA edition of this album have featured the HMV dog?
Greg Nolan wrote on April 14, 2007
To my mind, "HMV" is more of a European outfit that until recently had very little presence in the U.S. I was under the impression that this CD's cover is very close to the logo used in the US of the '50s. I dont know about the "magic millioins" monkier, though. As far as I knew, the RCA doggie logo has nothing to do with HMV in the label's home country. I could be wrong. This looks to be a monumental release. Lex is very right (for a change :) that this sort of release assumes folks don't have access to bootlegs. I liked "Totally Stung" for the most part, but this stuff deserves official label release, collector label included. This is going to be a keeper!
Lawman wrote on April 14, 2007
While I think this is a great release (and I hope Ernst & Co will continue doing stuff like this), I have to disagree with the "not everyone has or wants the bootlegs"-comment. I don't collect bootlegs, but I already have 28 of the included alternate takes on "official" RCA/BMG-releases. So the complaints about not too much new stuff aren't completely unjustified, since the FTD-label caters for the collectors. However, we can't really blame Ernst for there not being more material. The positive thing with this release is that you now have them all in one place and it's a lot cheaper than buying all the seperate releases. Just my two cents.
MR61 wrote on April 14, 2007
Thanks Greg, I thought the set was familiar just dug out my copy of totally stung same cd but tracks are laid out different will give it a miss for a bit then. I need the cash it to buy the good old vinyl you cant beat it.
Greg Nolan wrote on April 15, 2007
MR61 and Lawman, let's not forget that this has been remastered from the original tapes by the acclaimed Kevin Budd ("Elvis At Sun; the first three albums, "Let Yourself Go," etc.). "Totally Stung," while a high-quality boot from Madison, is still not on par with an official (and complete release), at least that's what folks are saying elsewhere. I don't have it yet but this is surely the case. If someone has the bootleg, I don't blame them if they want to wait awhile and collect this or that, but really, this is now the version to get, not the bootleg with lesser sound and slightly less complete. Given how quickly such Madison releases disappear (like the best bootlegs), this is as good a reason as any for FTD to release such a set. Besides, it's not really released until the "official" release comes, especially (only?) if they are using superior sound, which they are. That's worth supporting, folks.
ttwiise wrote on April 15, 2007
An awesome release, the sound quality is amazing, why can`t mr Budd master all the releases Elvis Today was crying out for him, my only tiny gripe is the lack of the original reverb on the original masters I felt that was so 50`s. 10\10
Steve V wrote on April 15, 2007
I sold Totally Stung on the strength of this release. No real need for it anymore(and I loved it). I think thats what one of FTD's initial purpose was - to put the bootleggers out of business. With releases such as this, I feel thay accomplish that mission.
Joe Carr wrote on April 15, 2007
Classic album, I cannot wait to get this release!
Iron Man wrote on April 15, 2007
Let's hope FTD continues releasing complete-session CDs
Roy M wrote on April 16, 2007
Just got my copy and all I can say is wow! The cover is a beauty, the songs the coolest and the sound is so clear and fresh, it’s as if it was recorded yesterday! 10/10 more complete sessions please FTD!
whetherman wrote on April 16, 2007
Have got my copy and I'm very, very pleased with it. It's great to get "Doncha Think It's Time" Takes 39, 40 & 47 seperate and crystal clear and am I right in thinking that this is the very first appearance in any form of "I Got Stung" Take 23?. Could have done without "Elvis Sails" on the end but that's just my opinion and a minor gripe anyway. Thanks FTD for a great double CD which at the same price as a single FTD CD is good value!
pasa-ryu wrote on April 16, 2007
I got this excellant ftd release from now dig this and was amazed at how many outtakes rca released on it!..i loved the studio banter from elvis and really enjoyed the design and booklet you get and i really liked the fact they inlcuded 'bonus masters' and the rare 'elvis sails' E.P. which is good to own on cd and it coincides with the date of the album recordings..1958..a nice touch from ftd!..10 out of 10.
JK wrote on April 17, 2007
Great classic album. But disc 1 is missing in my copy...... damn. Are there more people with this problem??
Lex wrote on April 17, 2007
Looks like FTD does a crappy job with packaging... you'd expect more with those prices!
Steve V wrote on April 17, 2007
Just got it today. Agree with Lex & Mature. Crappy packaging. Mine has a bend. Great music though!
Javiergrosso wrote on April 23, 2007
Hey, friends, we are in 2007!, no 1960. I'd like this title: 500.000.000 fans can't be wrong (it's just a idea for the next edition).
JerryNodak wrote on April 25, 2007
Great songs and great sound. I'm sure I'll play tracks 1 thru 15 a lot, but the remainder of CD 1 as well as CD 2 will be played sparingly. Nothing wrong with the songs I just don't enjoy listening to the same song(s) over and over.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 25, 2007
Steve ,was it bad packaging from were you bought the set or do you mean that ftd did a bad job of packaging? as for my recent complaint of a certain website and there pathetic services,i found out theres more in agreement with me!
Steve V wrote on April 25, 2007
mature - EPE did a bad job of packaging it, thus the bend on the cover.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 25, 2007
Thanks steve just wanted to clarify that,i asked them for padding and was told i would get that 2 times in a roll,and it didnt happen,not to mention the rudeness of the person i spoke with,the book that came was in the worst shape ive ever seen for a new item, and ive bought tons of stuff over that last few years through internet,i wont go any further with rants at some like to call it over poor pathetic services that some offer,just keep this in mind when you buy fans,give your business to people who earn it not the ones that act like they couldnt care less!
clp1093 wrote on May 14, 2007
RE Matt W query and Greg Nolans' reply regarding the HMV dog. In the early 1900's HMV (UK Company) started a susidiary in the USA which became RCA Victor. The HMV logo was used by both companies and following the split of the companies both had rights to the logo. HMV (by now EMI, based in the UK) had the rights to Europe, Australasia, India etc. RCA Victor had the rights to the Americas and through JVC (Japanese Victor Co.) Japan. This is in fact still the case, although EMI seldom use the dog logo anymore. This is why the first Elvis records sold in the UK were on the HMV label. In 1957 RCA terminated their distribution agreement with HMV and for some years RCA records were distributed by Decca but using the black RCA and later the RCA Victor black label. In 1968 RCA started their own pressing and distribution and launched the apalling orange label. In 1978 RCA US started using a new version of the Dog label. The original design of the label was based on a painting of the dog 'Nipper' listening to 'His Masters Voice'. This origianl painting hangs in the boardroom of EMI in London. Here ends the history lesson!
Ronaldv wrote on May 18, 2007
what happened to take 19 of I got stung?? Someone noticed and have an expalanation?
Sandman wrote on February 01, 2010
A must, because of the gold suit.