In a continuous series of re-releases BMG decided to re-release the Camden release “Elvis Sings Flaming Star”. A dream release?
Design
The cover has a big sticker claiming “original artwork”. When we compared it to our vinyl copy of this album we saw a different back cover, just like the back cover on the “Almost In Love” reissue. And why no liner notes, this isn’t a cheap bootleg. And if we go all the way, we miss the Camden logo too.
Content
The Camden releases always were a strange series. The song selection was very different from the RCA (re)releases and sometimes an album could contain a different take. But not on this one. To continue our honesty, there are only four tracks that we didn’t fast forward; the title track “Flaming Star”, “Night Life”, although this last song could be even better if Elvis had recorded a more bluesy or raw version. The original “Too Much Monkey Business” perfectly describes what happened to Elvis record releases with this compilation as a good example. And finally, “Tiger Man” from the “’68 Comeback Special” which marked the return of Elvis as the performer who still had it. This quickly makes us forget songs like "The Yellow Rose Of Texas", "Wonderful World" and "Do The Vega".
The audio on this CD is very good. All tracks have been remastered (according to the sticker on the front), but since there are no liner notes we don’t know which technique was used. With so many great tracks waiting to be remastered we get "Do The Vega" in great quality ...
Conclusion
Finally this original album release is available for all fans who want to complete Elvis original catalogue, but if they will play it very often?
Elvis Sings Flaming Star
May 31, 2006 | Music
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JerryNodak wrote on
May 31, 2006
Doubt if they'll play it too often?? You're joking, right?? It hasn't left my cd player since I bought it more than a week ago. Great too have this on cd. Finally!! A dream release? Yes!!
Greg Nolan wrote on
May 31, 2006
I just got my copy and I share Jerry's enthusiasm for the most part. Regarding the "reviewer": "To continue our honesty, there are only four tracks that we didn’t fast forward." My, my, you are a busy man: the CD runs all over 20 minutes! I dare say you are underprepared! Good work, RCA/ Sony/BMG. These albums, faults and all, did exist in Elvis' lifetime and it's good to see them again!
PTCJones wrote on
June 01, 2006
Always had a soft spot for this album. Hope Separate ways is on the cards too.
Gladyslove wrote on
June 01, 2006
Wow, this album is really a winner. Both, the cover and the song list. Yes, I hope they release Seperate ways and You´ll never walk alone and the rest of the Camden albums, too ! Keep them coming, BMG.
Gladyslove wrote on
June 01, 2006
I mean: You´ll never walk alone with the original fantastic cover.
pasa-ryu wrote on
June 01, 2006
i just ordred my copy from amazon and really looking foward to this release1-it's about time rca released this classic album..saddley,its only available on-line as an import release,,why is'nt it easily available to the public??.
Lex wrote on
June 01, 2006
If I were to buy another re-release it would have been this one. Always liked it, especially there very "un-Elvis" "All I Needed Was the Rain". On vinyl I have at least 4 different back covers... curious if it's one of those they used here. But not curious enough to buy it :-)
elvisfan1958 wrote on
June 01, 2006
kempo, I don't know where you live, but I got my copy, and also, "Almost in Love", at Wal Mart, in Louisiana, U.S.A., for only $5.88 each. Looking forward to the next ones. I like "I Got Lucky" and "C'mon Everybody". I'm ready to get them all. They all have great covers.
Clambake67 wrote on
June 03, 2006
"wonderful World" is a great song! How could you only like 4 songs on this album? i actually recruited an Elvis fan with the song "She's a Machine".
Martin DJ wrote on
June 04, 2006
It's ironic that a lot of titles are deleted only to reappear as an FTD classic album not available in regular stores but being sold mainly through fanclubs. So the casual buyer doesn't know about Elvis is Back or Something for Everybody or equally essential albums - instead he/she will find non-essential Camden titles. Is that the way to go?
boris wrote on
June 05, 2006
These records should definitely be released on FTD... Maybe Sony/BMG should work on exposing FTD a little more...
Steve V wrote on
June 06, 2006
Martin DJ - You are correct. Imagine the public having no access to great albums like Elvis Is Back, etc but instead seeing albums like this that had no theme or flow, and were considered low budget albums at the time just thrown together from leftover tracks in most cases. Cant wait for Burning Love and Hits From His Movies to hit the stores. Wowee!
JerryNodak wrote on
June 06, 2006
Camden, Camden, Rah! Rah! Rah! Release them, Release them. All, all, all!!!
Greg Nolan wrote on
June 11, 2006
Steve and Martin, I share your frustration about RCA/Sony/BMG failing to keep classic original albums in print (although the '06 versions of his first three are a start...) but let's not forget that at least a few Camden's were surprisingly effective "hodgepodge" releases and they did occur during his lifetime! Incidentally, so far, they are not nearly as common as I had hoped (or in some cases, some of you feared) not all Wal-Marts are carrying them and they're so far not in Target or KMart or regular stores like FYE or Borders. So we're talking about a limited release for hard-core fans, by and large.
VEGAS_KING70 wrote on
June 21, 2006
All these releases are just fun, but I hope they also have buget prices like $8, cause it was then as it is now just a quick collection of leftovers mainly movies. All the good stuff is used or going to be used on the FTD releases.. They will release the whole original catalogue with all the extras ever released in great quality.
untamedhawk wrote on
June 22, 2006
Believe me, FTD DOES NOT add ALL of the outtaks..... Just enough to get your whistle wet again. Takes 1,5,8,10 You know, the best of. They have a good thing going so far, but they're beginning to get lost in the LESS THE BETTER phase. I still want to know about the alternate takes of TEADY BEAR, and HOUND DOG. These 2 songs alone would impress me with various takes!
lray wrote on
June 22, 2006
If you want to hear the outtakes to Hound Dog and Teddy Bear you may have to wait until you die and go to heaven because they, like many others from the 50's, were tossed into the trash bin or recorded over back in 1959.
RonBaker wrote on
June 23, 2006
Outtakes can be interesting ("Ain't That Loving You Baby"), but usually aren't. The master take is usually the one that is best. Unfortunately, that's all we have left. WIsh BMG would do some more surround sound mixes. There were several albums done in surround sound (Today, for example).
Steve V wrote on
June 23, 2006
I agree. Outtakes are only so interesting unless the song was done in a totally diff way. To keep paying 30 plus dollars for FTD releases that contain outtakes similar to the master take (but 99% of the time inferiror) , no thanks. I'll stick with the masters. At least those I want to hear again.
Steve V wrote on
July 01, 2006
Guys - I like the song as well! 3 in agreement. A good blues song with a great vocal that could have been a great song if it was longer, and given a better production, but thats the way it was with these movies songs. They werent done as seriously as 'real' studio work.
Greg Nolan wrote on
July 16, 2006
And *I* agree, too! "All I Needed Was the Rain" is a very under-rated track. By the way, there is in fact an extended version (done by a fan by the name of "Mike McCoy") which can be found on the "Elvis Archeological Preservation Society" webpage. (To log on , it's the first three letters of this name followed by the word society and the usual after that.)