Finally a FTD release we were really looking forward to again. Did it meet the expectations?
Design
The design is simple yet tasteful. At last the contrast is good and even for elderly people with glasses the text is readable. Some nice candids of our man decorate the whole.
Content
Starting with a song like “In the Ghetto”, one can’t go wrong. Any version of this song (by Elvis) is at least great. “You’ll Think of Me” is next and a good follow-up to the opening. Oh, how we wish Elvis did many more sessions like those in early 1969. On the outtake of “Do You Know Who Am I”, we know it exactly. The man that can touch you with his voice, trying to deliver the song as beautiful as can be. What a cold shower gives the next track. Just over four years later we get a completely uninspired Elvis, who is audibly forced to get in the studio to record anything. Both “If You Don’t Come Back” and “Three Corn Patches” sound so uninspired that it hurts. How can such a talented man lower himself that much? “Find Out What’s Happening” is slightly better, but we were glad the CD moved on to the December 1973 sessions…
The three tracks from this session “It’s Midnight”, “Thinking About You” and “You Asked Me To” are pretty close to what we knew already and give a pleasant listen, especially the second one has always been among our favorites.
A positive side of the poor July 1973 recordings is that even the Jungle Room stuff, which was never highly regarded by us, sounds more than acceptable. “She Thinks I Still Care” and “Bitter They Are” even got the “repeat”-treatment on first listen.
The remaining of the CD spoils a lot. Those home recordings are fun to have – but not on this CD. They spoil the listening pleasure of the whole. Although the poem remains funny, the torturing of the guitar now and then nearly forced us to call Amnesty International.
Conclusion
It is clearly a CD of “left overs” that still could have been very nice, but somehow it gives us a disappointed feeling. Probably we are too spoilt by now.
Made In Memphis
April 08, 2006 | Music
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Shakingruud wrote on
April 09, 2006
To me its a dissapointed release. Too much of the same, really. I don´t think theres much left in the vaults from these sessions.
Martin DJ wrote on
April 09, 2006
Be patient, wait for the Classic Album-releases from those sessions.
Greg Nolan wrote on
April 10, 2006
I haven't gotten this FTD yet, but I've always enjoyed Elvis' guitar playing on those Thompson home recordings. I don't know where the reviewer is going with such silly comments. And yes, it does sound like we've all been spoiled. Such a release is full of leftovers -by definition. It's 2006, folks. How much more do you really think is in the can? Enjoy these releases while you can. Also, did the reviewer think that FTD's of "Elvis is Back" or "Today" or "Loving You" were "not worth looking forward to"? I bash FTD all the time on pricing most of all, but let's not pretend that there's a lot more left to hear. Enjoy it while you can, you "nattering nabobs of negativism" as a certain U.S. Vice-President once said...
Ton Bruins wrote on
April 11, 2006
My thoughts are a bit double here. First of all I am always happy to get my hands on "new" outtakes of Elvis material from the seventies. On the other hand it is correct that songs as "If You Don't Come Back" and "Three Corn Patches" are not my favorites and Elvis sounds more then bored on these recordings. In July 1973 Elvis is in big trouble and It can be heard. I also think that the bottom of the can is in sight. Remember Elvis died in 1977 and we are now in 2006....I agree that the home recordings spoil the listening pleasure. I am not a big fan of those home recordings at all, none of them. On this CD some great version can be heard though. Highlights for me: "Do You Know Who I Am", "It's Midnight", "Solitaire", "Love Coming Down". Not a very bad release for me but not a very great one either. I rather would have had a 3 CD set with outtakes from Memphis 69, Memphis 73 and Memphis 76. Every year on 1 CD each but maybe they hadn't enough outtakes to do that, who knows......
JimmyCool wrote on
April 11, 2006
I didn't enjoy the songs, because most of them sounded kinda flat, lifeless... What I really enjoyed was the studio banter at the beginning (sometimes middle and end too) of each song, some cursing and some funny lines "I'm gonna kill Neil Sedaka" a the beginning of Solitare, etc. I paid to hear Elvis talk on this release.
Rob Wanders wrote on
April 11, 2006
I like the cd. I always enjoy the outtakes from the period 1969-1976. Of course the cd is not as revealing as the Jungle Room cd or the Memphis Sessions cd, but its a nice addition. And I've always liked the songs Three corn patches and Find out what's happening. Yes, our man sounds a bit tired, but you can also say ; he sounds a bit lay-back. And I really like these versions of It's midnight, She thinks I still care, For the heart and Love coming down; maybe not the best versions but very nice to hear. So, I'm happy with this cd and hope for more. waiting and hoping for the outtakes from the 71 sessions: Love me love the life I lead, Early morning rain, I'm leaving, We can make the morning and many more. Waiting and hoping and waiting and hoping and hoping.....and waiting...hoping....
You Dont Know Me wrote on
April 11, 2006
Just got this FTD CD. It is 'good', not top draw or very best, but certainly 'good' I know it's 'leftovers' from those years 69-76 but so what? i kinda like the variety on this CD and with a 72 minute running time it's highly listenable and good. Quite a few highlights (as already said) but 'you asked me to' is great as is solitaire and moody blue. I was MORE than pleasantly surprised by the much inproved sound quality on the Sam Thompson home recordings Rolling Eyes I simply NEVER heard them sound so good and Spanish Eyes is a true highlight. So mixture of material with Stax July 73 being the weakest, but still mildly interesting and the real interest starting with 'It's Midnight' onwards. Thanks Ernst great listenable compilation. Cool
Ton Bruins wrote on
April 15, 2006
It kind of shocks me that only 7 people react on a new FTD release. Where is the rest of the Elvis Fans ??
Loesje wrote on
April 15, 2006
Sorry Ton, I can't speak of the rest, but I do know I get a bit tired of all the 'new' releases. This one is nice, except for the home recordings which spoil the listening for me a bit. And I totally agree with the reviewer about the rest of this cd. Yes I am spoilt! And that other one, Something for Everybody, which was my all time favorite for a long time... how many of that do we have by now? Three?? Do you know which dvd of Elvis is almost always in my player?? A self made one, with all my favorite songs. I picked the songs (over 200) and my husband picked the dates of release. Now we have 6 hours Elvis music and only the best of the best :-)
JerryNodak wrote on
April 15, 2006
Haven't bought this one yet. I think most of these outtakes will show up on subsequent "Classic" album releases. If I'm proven wrong I might buy this one later. Although, "home" recordings really turn me off.
Ton Bruins wrote on
April 16, 2006
Thanks for the reaction Loesje. You're right, we are spoilt. I also made my own "collection" of my all time favorites. I made about 10 CDr's now with all my favorites on it. I understand what you mean...
corey3rd wrote on
April 17, 2006
when FTD starts sampling from various eras, I'm not interested - especially at these prices. I like the 2 disc collections that focus on an album. I can justify paying that much cash for the rarieties and a good mix of the original album. I want focus from these collections - especially since we know they'll eventually be re-issued on the album collection series.
pasa-ryu wrote on
April 19, 2006
just got mine from amazon.co.uk and was well pleased when i recieved it thru the post! the pics of elvis are excellant and the track listing serpurb..most fans would have had all or most tracks on import cd's but to own them on an official album and in excellant stereo is well worth the asking price..simply elvis magic. I think though they could have included a little more 1969 session tracks as we know elvis recorded loads of different outtakes of suspicious minds and in the ghetto,etc,etc but at-least we got something..all in all, a must have album..10/10.
Poffe wrote on
April 21, 2006
Like corey3rd I too am a bit annoyed by the fact that FTD tracks are being re-released on the FTD classic albums series. I'm beginning to feel a bit fooled just because I'm a collector that wants to have a complete collection of FTD titles. With that said I would like to say that whatever Ernst is putting on these CD's I will buy them. I truly appreciate the effort he puts into the Elvis material and making it available for us. Elvis said himself in an interview from 1956: "You cannot please everyone!"
Gladyslove wrote on
April 23, 2006
What has happened hear ? The first three songs are surely chosen well but the songs from July ´73 are the worsted songs I ever heard in my whole time since I am a fan. The worsted movie song is better than these three songs ! Elvis soud desinterested and is not in a good mood at this time as we know very well. The rest is typical Elvis at this time in the ´70s. Bitter they are, harder they fall is one of the highlight from this album als Love coming down. The recordings in Sam Thompsons house shoudn´t been released on this Follow that dream. From 10 points I will give poor 4 and a half. Ernst you failed on this one.
Rob Wanders wrote on
April 23, 2006
Dear Gladyslove, What a ridicilous thing to say that the July 73 recordings are worse than the worst movie songs. What has happened to your musical-ear? A song like "Find out what's happening" worse than "Confidence" or "Old Macdonald", or "What every woman lives for", or "Who needs money". Come on, you cannot be serious. I hope.
Gladyslove wrote on
April 23, 2006
Rob Wanders: I tell you what I mean. The songs are crap like Elvis sung them back in July 1973. I´ve never listen to the songs like Old Mc Donalds and the other songs you mention cause these songs are worster then worst, too. It is the reality.
ElvisTrader wrote on
April 24, 2006
I agree with most of the comments here. So far I've been really impressed with most of the FTD releases but have they started to go down the same route as BMG and just 'keep that money machine rolling'? The content of Made in Memphis is poor, repetitive and the reason most of the songs were outtakes is because Elvis didn't sing them very well!!! Come on Ernst, pull your finger out!!!
ep3577 wrote on
April 26, 2006
Not as good of a release, but still a keeper. Promised Land and Raised On Rock next please.
bajo wrote on
April 29, 2006
For those not spoiled enought to care to listen, this is simply another good gem from FTD. I make my own CDR's of the sessions. Now I have added all the tracks, including these for my own personal Jungle Room Sessons 2, The Memphis Sessons 2 and the July '73 sessions. Do people really listen to Elvis these days? If you listen to these tracks on Made In Memphis, then how on earth can you not like them? I really don't get it why people tend to moan so much? The well is running dry, and still Ernst manage to deliver such a nice piece like this! Keep 'em coming Ernst. At least, I'm one!
Gladyslove wrote on
April 30, 2006
I just said that the 3 Stax tracks are not that good. The rest of the CD is an Elvis in a good mood and good voice. Also the home recordings are interesting. One question: Why isn´t the Song Spanish eyes the first song ? On the release Hound dog and unplugged it is the first song. Can somebody explane the differents between these 2 CDs ?
untamedhawk wrote on
May 04, 2006
Gladylove, I hope you have the complete Linda Thompson home recordings. If so, Spanish Eyes is the first song on the tape. As far as the re-arrangement on this particular cd - it's "just because they can". There's a little poem also on the original tape not included on the FTD where Elvis talks of a robin.....LOL, as well as 3 other songs that Elvis and Linda harmonize pretty well together on, in which Elvis is regarded as "singing backup". All in all FTD got the best of the home recording, and the rest is laying on the cutting room floor (so to speak).
Gladyslove wrote on
May 05, 2006
Thank you. Thank you very much. That´s fantastic, untamedhawk. Now I know why. I am glad that I have the Hound dog and unplugged release.
Greg Nolan wrote on
May 08, 2006
This is a "warts and all" release and I for one applaud the concept. In fact, most hard core fan reaction has been positive. Untamedhawk, have you not listened to your disc all the way through? The poem is on there. You just have to listen to the whole disc! The Thompson tracks have been somehow upgraded even since last year's "Elvis By the Presley's" set and are quite listenable in this limited dosage at the end of the disc. I rather like that they re-ordered the song order so that it closes this "Memphis" concept album with the song he began with there, "That's All Right, Mama." Someday, we'll *all* be totally thrilled that such unreleased material is being released!
untamedhawk wrote on
May 09, 2006
Sorry Greg, I have to admit that I haven't listened to this particular cd because I don't own it. I do however own the complete disk sessions that are contained on this cd. The Linda Thompson tape is also familiar as IN A PRIVATE MOMENT. I just noticed that the POEM wasn't listed, and I can hardly understand it if it is on the cd, why FTD would subject their listeners to the foul mouth of Elvis....LOL. I'm proud that FTD is doing their part in re-introducing new material to fans, but I just hope they don't start Doing as RCA has done us for so many years.
Gladyslove wrote on
May 13, 2006
untamedhawk, you are wrong: the poem of the robin ist on the FTD release, just listen till the end of the CD. Maybe you must overlooked it.