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No New Remix Planned

August 20, 2005 | Music
The latest rumour to circulate in the Elvis World is a supposedly new remix project. The rumour claims that Joe Dimuro, who heads up strategic marketing at Sony/BMG, spoke out at the Elvis Insiders or Round table discussion down at Graceland during Elvis week and spoke about bringing out some new Elvis remixes for the younger generation. He was quoted saying "We want to take Elvis back to the mainstream and that means changing the style of a song and recreating it. We want to do a dance track for the clubs and a contemporary recording for top 40 airplay" Dimuro apparently said.

We checked this with Todd Morgan from Elvis Presley Enterprices and he informed us that "Joe DiMuro did not come to Memphis for Elvis Week this year. Roger Semon made a presentation at the Elvis Insiders Conference, but there was no mention of remixes. There is no remix project on the agenda at the moment. The remix announcement circulating on fan sites appears to be a hoax, a fabrication."
Lex wrote on August 20, 2005
Thank god! Let's NOT ruin more Elvis songs. Twice is enough, not to say "Too Much".
Sean Ryan wrote on August 20, 2005
yeah, its like painting a beard on the Mona Lisa. Leave them as they are. We have the release of 'Heartbeark Hotel' in January next year for the 50th anniversary of the song. Lets wait for that.
ElvisDayByDay wrote on August 21, 2005
Like "Heartbreak Hotel" will be bought by a lot of new fans ... It is mostly the same people who will buy this copy of "Heartbreak Hotel" once again because of the limited edition or to support our man. Perhaps a remix is not the best idea (in the eyes of the older fans) to put Elvis back in the spotlight to attract newer fans who can discover his music, but what is? Re-releasing original material does not have a lot of impact, "Suspicious Minds" made it to #15 I believe. There needs to be a gimmick. Tony Christie's "Amarillo" had a gimmick, Elvis' limited one-week-only 2005 single re-releases had a gimmick and the remixes had a gimmick. We've had the limited edition, we've had the remix, what's next, a duet? The song never made it to #1, so a limited edition re-release can easily aim for that (although it would have to compete with the digital downloads to really top the charts), but it will be current fans only buying it. Anybody know how other older (dead) artist remain in the spotlight?
Shaky wrote on August 21, 2005
I feel the time is right to look at a classical remix - let's boost some of ELVIS' power ballads and lesser known smootchers - imaging the acoustics of a modern orchestra placed within Always On My Mind, Seperate Ways, It Hurts Me or I'll remember you - you could even rejuvenate some obscure movie ballads like The Girl I never loved or All that I Am. I know this would be 'gimmick' enough for radio 2 airplay, which these days dictates chart success far more than radio 1 in the U.K.
Lex wrote on August 21, 2005
Elvis is already an exception being in the spotlight so much. Others only get attention every now and then, because of a commercial or such. The real good ones have a vast amount of buyers anyway, and not only the same people. Why do you think Sony/BMG keeps repackaging the same old hits? Because they are strong enough to be bought... and not always by the same people. Of course there's a group (me among them) that buys nearly everything, but that group is too small to make it a success commercially. With a remix or such you won't get a very large group that will keep on buying.
Jim Hoff wrote on August 21, 2005
Remixes of Elvis materiel is a brillant idea. When "A Little Less Conversation" was used as soundboard to the Nike Football Commercial a whole new group of young people suddenly heard of Elvis, ans in that way he got a lot of new fans. When well done by scilled people like JXL and his kind, these remixes open a new world of music both to us old hardcore fans who will buy anything with the King's name on it, and to the younger generation. Lately I heard a new fresh and funky remix of "I Got Stung" in the movie "Finding Graceland" which made all of my kids jump with joy. Combined with some raw MTV-like videos these remixes could bring "our guy" totally up front again with the younger generation. Go for it!!
ElvisDayByDay wrote on August 21, 2005
"Why do you think Sony/BMG keeps repackaging the same old hits?" That's simple, the material is strong enough. But we have to ask ourselves if the fans smart enough (me included) buying the same material over and over again? "With a remix or such you won't get a very large group that will keep on buying" This is probably true, but as fas we have at least "something different" to buy, not always to play reading some reactions to remixrumours. But how many of these fans play a new release of old material? Most of it will be shelved as part of the collection. A mix, duet or even original rerelease like the 2005 singles will draw another crowd to Elvis and his original work, listening to that they can decide to "become a fan" or move on. You can't win a new or young audience being played at oldies stations only.
Axeman517 wrote on August 21, 2005
These remixes are a bad idea, I hope they don't do more. ALLC was great but if you try to chase a golden goose, you're just gonna slip on some goose shit. The remix of Rubberneckin they did as a follow up to ALLC did little, if anything. If they try to do more remixes it'll be like the "Elvis Medley" and "I Was the One" years in the early 80's. Yuck!
Sean Ryan wrote on August 21, 2005
please no more remixes.keep the songs how they were meant to be heard.the remixes were great but i wouldnt want them to keep bringing them out.its like making another episode of the office or another fools and horses or another rambo film.lets keep to the originals.Elvis has nothing to prove in the charts of today cause todays music is just aload of noise.
Scratch wrote on August 22, 2005
The great thing about remixes is that I finally get to hear Elvis break through the usual doof-doof when I'm out. Unremixed he's not going to get a run at any nightclubs. ALLC and Rubberneckin were the number one dance tracks in Australia for weeks on end... it was a joy to watch a deserted dancefloor get packed within seconds of the opening beat of either song! I'll back anything that gets Elvis on radio again.
trinny wrote on August 22, 2005
I enjoy the remixes. They have drawn me back to his music and I look forward to hearing more. A remix doesn't mean the classic lost, simply altered for a twist. In fact, I have a question about songs/remixes. I believe I've heard a Chrysler commercial recently that features an Elvis song. At least it sounds like his voice. I'm not familar with the song. Does anyone know the title and whether or not it is Elvis?
cathyreno wrote on August 22, 2005
I love the remixes sorry everyone and I agree with Kees,Scratch, To be able to bring a little elvis into the mainstream of todays music is always a good idea. Alot of fans here want to see elvis no 1 you need to go with the flow. "music changes every six months you gotta change with it" t c b everyone
ta2k wrote on August 22, 2005
I agree there should be more remixes.Each Elvis song in it`s original form cannot be improved with a remix,as you can never improve on what Elvis himself chose to do with the song.However remixes will get airplay,media coverage,and maybe even shelf space(you all know what i`m referring to!) Unless i`s played on a Jukebox i never here Elvis music playing when i`m in pubs,though i heard ALLC and RUBBER...often when they were released(and before they were released!).It can`t damage his image as if it sounds rubbish we can blame the remixer,if it sounds good we can hopefully get another No.1.(i know the chart issue is heavily debated here but i see Elvis holding onto and extending his records as very important.)TCB
Emiel Maier wrote on August 22, 2005
While we are on the subject. I think "A Change Of Habit" could be suitable for a re-mix. And "Such A Night" in a Mambo No.5 mix (with the Perez Prado trumpets like Helmut Lotti once did), could be a strong contender too.
cathyreno wrote on August 22, 2005
change of habit is a good choice maybe 'for the heart' or 'I got a feelin in my body' would rock the joint whats your opinion out there...
Adam wrote on August 22, 2005
Hi out there I'm a guy from Denmark, Copenhagen. I think we should leave it with those remixes, we already got. 'cause they are not better than the originals! They are more up to date, but when you think about it Elvis will always be up to date, his recordings are still as fresh as then.. Aloha from scandinavia
buyep01 wrote on August 22, 2005
I am worried that if they keep messing with Elvis's music they are going to lose sight of his original god given talent that comes along once in a lifetime. Elvis was so loved and the music so popular because he didnt in his own words "sound like nobody". Remixes throws a legend into the number 1 hit song spotlight kicked off to the side and nothing memorable to it, people got drunk dancing not paying attention it is Elvis and on and on. I am 28 and I have friends in their 20's that are Elvis fans, Elvis doesnt need any help at continuing along generations, I think the 18 #1 box set in GreatBritain/ England (I am from america forgive me I dont know the difference between G.britain and england that much) proved that it was his original remastered hits that people of all age groups purchased and shot it to number one. If we are going to mess with Elvis's music while we are at it Lets change the Mozart compositions, or rewrite gone with the wind. people are like oh no those are never get old because why? They where different as is ELVIS and be assured that 200 yrs from now or longer he will be in that class with mozart and the others. The Final point is you don't take the greatest vocalist of all time and throw changes into it. We had our fun with the "little less conversation thing" now lets move on to remastering the sound to the best it can be without changing the music. All it takes is exposure and to put Elvis in the main stream media and let 14, 15, 16yrs olds that it is OK to be an Elvis fan. I have been a huge Elvis fan since I was 8yrs old so I was in high school in the 90's, Elvis cassettes stayed in my player before cd's completely took over, girl's or friends that rode with me any amount of time caught on. I will give you an example they would hear it as we are riding and say "hey play that one song again where he talks about getting that letter back. (bam an Elvis sale for one song maybe they hear more become a big fan maybe not. The Bottom line Elvis did not like his music changed while he was alive and now that he is dead we should not mess with it to change anything but the quality, He must have done something right 28 yrs after death and still has more fan clubs and records sales than any group or solo artist. Long liv the king, ELVIS=MUSIC. PS. Maybe BMG ought to read this if they want the younger generation I am 28 been a fan for 20yrs now, that can happen a lot more it is up to them.
ta2k wrote on August 23, 2005
butep01 i agree with all you say,but will respond to the part where you say `all the 14, 15, 16 year olds, etc need is exposure to the King`s music`. This is the issue in point, we don`t know how many 1st time fans bought any of the 18 No1 releases. What we do know is it had no airplay, no advertising, and no shelf space in stores. Basically there was no real exposure. Therefore the age group you mentioned almost definitely had no real knowledge of it, no real chance to buy it, no ability to hear the greatest of all time. As i suggested Remixes can never make Elvis sound better, they can never improve the already unparallelled perfection of The King. What they probably will do,as i suggested,is get airplay,and shelf space in record stores etc. Then youngsters can buy The King, and then decide to see his origanal music and away we go! I`m 29 and got into Elvis through my mum having a video of `On Tour` years ago, not i`m afraid through positive exposure. TCB
Marco Aurelio wrote on August 23, 2005
I always prefered the original versions. If you are really an Elvis fan, you will not need a remixed song to enjoy them. BUT, we have to admit that a remix of ALLC really brought new fans. My bets for a future remix are: "CHANGE OF HABIT", "LET YOURSELF GO" or "WEARING THAT LOVED ON LOOK". I´m writing these three songs because if I showed these 3 songs for more than 200 people, I can tell you, guys, that 100% of these people simply LOVED them!
JerryNodak wrote on August 23, 2005
Remixes STINK!!
ta2k wrote on August 24, 2005
I`m feeling the need to clarify that i do not actually like Elvis` songs being messed around with,and remixed,and they obviously do not sound better than the way Elvis intended them to sound.I`m saying remixes could get a new generation interested and then finding the original.TCB
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote on August 24, 2005
If you talk in your sleep with lost of horns and beats. this song is the greatest song from elvis