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Some Details On The FTD SUN Project

December 10, 2006 | Music
In an interview with the Elvis Information Network website Kevan Budd shared a few details of the upcoming Follow That Dream SUN project. Apparently the set is now in its final stages of completion.

"A general overview of the FTD `Sun box set` is that it will include a good amount of unreleased material, including studio sessions (everything we have in the vaults), live recordings (newly restored) including amongst others, the unreleased Meridian, May 1955 performance where Bill goes crazy and Elvis is really rocking! Plus interviews, demos, radio ads and off course the odd surprise!

The book section is a massive project, including such items as the first known colour photo of Elvis in 1954 to unpublished Sun session tape notes and off course many, many more unseen goodies! The set is now in its final stages of completion"

You can read the complete interview on the E.I.N. website.
Source:Elvis Information Network

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Sylvain wrote on December 10, 2006
I think, and/ or hope this is gonna be a great release.
MarkE wrote on December 10, 2006
any chance of finding those unreleased SUN songs like Satisfied?
PaulFromFrance wrote on December 10, 2006
Can't wait for this one ! Again, thanks for the FTD releases.
MR61 wrote on December 10, 2006
Is this going to be any better than the two MRS Books ?
PTCJones wrote on December 10, 2006
It sounds like a great release. I hope they don't price it out the ball-park though.
Colonel wrote on December 10, 2006
When he says that they used all stuff they have in the vaults, we should get to hear "Satisfied" since that was delivered to RCA. Of course it might have been scratched. I hope we will get it soon.
dannyboy1 wrote on December 10, 2006
Look people, "Satisfied" won't be on there. It has never been located. It was listed on Steve Sholes' notes (as I recall) but has never been located on any of the tapes they have. They can't release what they don't have. On another related topic, it's always annoyed me that they always have the live recorded acetates playing too fast. The speeds may be technically correct, but even someone tone deaf and with cloth ears can still tell the music and Elvis' voice both sound accelerated to an unnatural pitch.
Roy M wrote on December 11, 2006
This release is gonna be awesome!
Tupelo wrote on December 11, 2006
This is one release I'm really looking forward to!
memphisblues wrote on December 11, 2006
I am also looking forward to this release, and would like to think there will be a few lost jems included and like others that it's not priced out of the ball park
Greg Nolan wrote on December 12, 2006
I have the UK's "MRS" first set and did like it, despite it taking some heavy criticism in some quarters. I'll be getting volume 2, but neither one will be able to top the official FTD box.. Kevan Budd, by the way, is sure to take a good look at the speeds of those live sides. He's got a great ear with that sort of thing. Nice preview! Be sure to check out the entire interview on that site!
Renan Augusto wrote on December 12, 2006
What could be the "odd surprise"?
PaulFromFrance wrote on December 12, 2006
I'm currently listening to "The complete million dollar quartet", and Kevan Budd made a fantastic job on these tapes. The sound is awesome if you think the source is 50 years old. So, we can expect the best for the Sun project.
Roy M wrote on December 12, 2006
I too was warned about getting the Joseph Pirzada Memphis recording service Vol 1 and 2 sets but I thought - hey they can’t be that bad can they? Let’s just say I should have listened to the warnings as I now wish I hadn’t bothered buying them at all at $120 the pair. I got sucked in by the press release and that they were going to be great but they were a BIG let down, I thought the sound was meant to be great (reading the press release I thought they would be a match for the second coming of the messiah!) yet the sound was really crappy (it sounds as if the tracks were ripped from old records or old crappy 1980s CDs) and the vol 2 vinyl is unplayable! (Surprise, surprise, something they don’t warn you about!), I had heard the colorized pictures were bad but I didn’t think they would be THAT bad! So after being so disappointed by those sets. Im now looking even more forward to the FTD set as it appears there will be a lot more substance over hype! Bring on the unreleased Sun tracks and hardback book FTD style!
Greg Nolan wrote on December 13, 2006
I don't have Volume 2 yet, and I've been too busy with "real life" to digest all the great Elvis releases of late, but I didn't think "Memphis Recording Service Volume 1" was that bad at all. The booklet may be the best part along with the 45 rpm from the "original mother stamper" of "That's All Right" mama. The sound isn't that great (disappointing, I guess) but one can hear that it lacks the echo that RCA was eventually added. There's a real quality to the paper stock and even the look of the CD. I can't vouch for all the high-tech audio it comes with as I don't have that sort of equipment. I agree the price was steep but quite a few reputable collectors and fans have said that one can enjoy both MRS *and* the upcoming FTD box. If one has a limited budget (and I suppose I do, too) than you are probably right, Roy. But for Sun buffs, this is all a big bonanaza that's hard to pass up.
Greg Nolan wrote on December 13, 2006
P.S. I meant that is a "bonanza" of Sun-related releases, official and unofficial. There will only be so many Sun sets worth having and the British versions (or at least Volume one) does bring something to the table.
Danny Fisher wrote on December 13, 2006
I have to agree with Roy on all points. Those MRS sets were disappointing, and yes the vinyl on Volume 2 is unplayable and the sound is bad. They should have warned fans about this. I haven’t played the sets since after the first day I got them; I think this says a lot.
whetherman wrote on December 13, 2006
I didn't bother with the MRS sets because I thought it would be better to wait for Ernst's FTD project, hoping it would be that much better. Reading some of the comment here it would appear I was right to wait. So come on FTD don't let us down. I, for one, am waiting with baited breath.
MR61 wrote on December 13, 2006
I have listened to both MRS dvds and read both books they are both great releases what more can the FTD version offer if you know tell me. .
Roy M wrote on December 13, 2006
MR61 for a start try reading the statement above about the FTD set that you appear to have completely missed as the FTD release contains. 1. Complete sessions, 2. Unreleased live tracks, 3. Text and pictures supplied by Ernst Jorgensen. I think this counts for quite a lot don’t you? Or don’t you want to hear any complete sessions? Or new unreleased live tracks? Or text by Ernst Jorgensen? Why waste time trying to defend these disappointing, incomplete MRS sets and just rejoice in the great news of the new FTD set that makes the MRS sets redundant saving many a lot of dollars!
Dixieland Rock wrote on December 14, 2006
This is going to be one awesome release. I am looking forward to this.
JimmyCool wrote on December 14, 2006
Sadly, I think the lsot songs are lost forever... Maybe destroyed by men or by time... maybe hidden in a box on somebody's basement... Who knows... The only thing I know is that you won't find those on this release. Period.
Greg Nolan wrote on December 15, 2006
I think there's too much hostility and negativity toward these releases. It's all gravy as they say. That there is any camp that wants to put their stamp on this era in 2006 is an unexpected and welcome development. Competition can be good. I actually had heard all the complaints and went in with frankly lowered expectations. But there's clearly some quality in the MRS project. I know money is an issue but it's clear some love and passion went into MRS Volume one and presumably volume 2. The world is big enough for both the official FTD Sun box as well as Joseph Pirzada's thoughtful projects like these coming from Europe. No less than Ger Rijff (who knows a thing or two about that era!) has just praised MRS' volume one over at FECC and he's right! I went in as much for the "mother stamper" 45 than anything else but the book is very nice and if anything is disappointing about the project, it's not that it's a *bad* project. That all said, I look forward to the long-in-the-works Sun Box!
nessim wrote on December 15, 2006
Hi guys, Naturally, I'm looking forward this ftd box too but is someone knows the date? or the period it'll be out? Thanks and Tcb
Danny Fisher wrote on December 15, 2006
Greg I don’t know what thread you read but Ger Rijff has just said on the FECC board that the MRS sets contain next to no new photos and that he made a mistake as he had not seen the great FTD "Elvis in Texas" Release where many of the pictures appear to be taken from! This is something Tony on that board had been saying all along! Also I’m not sure how thoughtful Joseph Pirzada was when he included a destroyed record in the Volume 2 release without any warning that it was in fact unplayable! You say its gravy; I say it is a pointless extra expense! Still the good news is that the FTD Sun box-set is coming and I think we all agree in that really is something worth celebrating!
MR61 wrote on December 16, 2006
In answer to Roy M off course I read the above statement i am not an idiot. I have just heard and read so many cds and books and dvds about the sun era I just dont know what is new anymore, its says radio adds mrs has this? bmg sunrise cd supposed to be the ultimate release ?newley restored mrs has these ? I can go on and on every release is supposed to be better than the last I dont have an ever ending wallet like some people .
Greg Nolan wrote on December 17, 2006
Nor do, I, MR61. Far be it from me to act like I have a bottom-less wallet the way I recommend such projects, but I just thought MRS seemed like a classy project that *compliments*, not ruins or supasses, the Sun era. That's a key point. Danny Fisher, before you chastise me, be aware that I posted that before Ger Rijff modified his stand on that FECC thread. The truth is that he was still impressed. I like to look at projects for how they represent something (either an album, an era) as if nothing else exists (or is going to exist, like the FTD box. Does it have any merit on it's own? That's all I need to know. t's not always whether something has been previously available. And did Rijff take back that they have a bunch of receipts and information that he's not seen before? As consumers, we also do have to say: "I'm going to tune this one out because there's not enough new or I just can't take the chance that it's just neat and not superb." That's our option, naturally. You call it a "pointless extra expense." Perhaps, but if money *isn't* an issue (and frankly all of us spend way more on Elvis than we arguably should or can afford), then a project that has some merits deserves credit when it can get it. Again, I hear you on your criticisms of MRS, but I expected the first volume to be *terrible* the way some people discussed it. I thought it was quite nice, by and large! "Let a thousand flowers bloom," as someone once said... That's how I look at it anyway. I fully respect anyone who wants to sit this one out. I personally am struggling to keep up with all the releases these days, but I factor in the fact that some projects are "one-offs" and being European-made, not likely to turn up fovever when I go hunting for it eventually. Such is the game, the strategy, etc. of the hard-core Elvis fan/ collector. For most, not all, money is always an issue and colors our opinion on things. For me, as a huge fan of the Sun era (although I like all Elvis era), I found at least Volume One to be a neat addition to my book/CD shelf. The rest of us will have to decide, but let me say again that I walked away impressed with Volume One.
benny scott wrote on December 17, 2006
Hi MR61, Before I buy MRS vol.2 I'd like to have your opinion about the sound of the 45 RPM ( Mystery Train ) from this release. I'd appreciate your answer. Thanks in advance!And by the way :in any case I'll sure buy the FTD release. Everything concerning the SUN -period is welcome. Always El!
MR61 wrote on December 18, 2006
Hi Benny Scott the 45 is playable but the sound isnt that great a lot of crakles but is audible and I must stress the book notes do tell you this.the dvd is great sound also and the book a great read this is my honest opinion, also I would like to say to Greg well said. Hope this is of help MR61.
Roy M wrote on December 19, 2006
Benny, the Memphis recording service Vol 2 record is in fact unplayable. First of all it is very difficult to get the needle to sit in the play-in groove as it is so badly damaged and once there it then jumps out again when in the play-out groove! You will have to catch it before the end of the record unless you want to run the risk of destroying your needle after each painfully noisy play, as many others have already said. Unfortunately these are the plain facts and I would recommend you don’t even try to play it for the simple reason that I would hate to see anyone destroy a needle trying to play this piece of junk. Besides it sounds so bad that nobody could enjoy it anyway. However Like you I am looking forward to the official FTD Sun release, which at least is thankfully unlikely to include such stunts as unplayable records!
MR61 wrote on December 19, 2006
I stick by what i said it plays on my system i have listened to it a few times it sounds just as i said. I dont know why you have a problem Roy its not the best i admit but you can play it ? Dont be put off by bad press make your own mind up from what you have read i bought it and loved it, its your choice nobody elses. no one has answered my original question to my satisfaction about the ftd release feel free anyone to answer it if you can.
benny scott wrote on December 19, 2006
Hello MR61 and Roy M, Thanks a lot guys for providing an answer. I'll think it over! Maybe the 45rpm is not fully ok, but the DVD and book seem to be all right. Thanks again and ....Merry X-Mas, not only to both of you , but also to all the other true Elvis-fans . Always El !!
Danny Fisher wrote on December 19, 2006
I agree with what Roy has already said, the record on volume 2 Memphis recording service is unplayable and the cartridge does indeed jump out of the groove on the last part and you have to be quick to grab it from the groove before the end as Roy said if you don’t want a broken cartridge. Simply put the record is a piece of garbage and sounds bad. One of many in the recent flood of European releases to avoid in my opinion. In fact I’m bored of these MRS releases already. I would rather discuss the soon to be released official FTD Sun book with CDs and the wonderful news of "a good amount of unreleased material" now that is real news! Any guesses as to what the odd surprise might be and please don’t say a damaged record!