(Originally published 2008, updated 2010.)
Follow That Dream, Sony's Official Elvis Presley Collectors Label have done it again with another superb re-packaging in their latest series of original LP re-issues. Turning their attention to the 1961 'Wild In The Country' movie soundtrack. A classic film, one of the last serious roles for Elvis, a slow paced film by all accounts but one with some great actors and acting.
I enjoyed watching this one many times over, yet its not a film that is that well known generally. The songs were made to fit into the movie plot far more on this occasion, and they did not spoil the more serious tone of the movie.
The songs are generally fairly low key gentle ballads. They are beautiful songs though. The exception is 'I slipped I stumbled I fell' being the most rockin track on the set. This was of course featured on Elvis Something For Everybody LP later that year 1961. This 7" gatefold CD includes booklet and outtakes from the movie songs. Many previously unreleased and in excellent sound quality.
Front page of the booklet, Wild In The Country FTD CD.
I love the early takes of 'Wild In the country', Elvis really lets loose on the vocal, unfortunately the takes are incomplete but had they of used the early takes to make up the master it could well have surpassed the actual final version of the song. Overall a great purchase for the collector. Personally I have always reckoned that Elvis was at the top of his vocal powers in AD 1960. He had superb vocal control and exceptional range and he had improved vocally at least from the rawness (albeit a very very appealing rawness) of the 1950's. This is a tremendous collection of stunning ballads and the rocking 'I slipped I stumbled I fell'. The outtakes are interesting and I haven't got tired of listening to 27 versions of 5 songs. Interestingly 'Husky Dusky Day' also appears and though very short (50 seconds) it is quite an amusing little ditty sung in duet with the lovely Hope Lang. One of the best FTD releases by far!
Buy Wild In The Country FTD CD
View the 'Behind The Scenes' page from the Wild In The Country Booklet.
The 'Storyboard' page: from the booklet.
The 'In And Outtakes' page, from the booklet.
View two photos from the booklet.
Tracklist:
Original Soundtrack
Wild in the Country
Lonely Man
I Slipped I Stumbled I Fell
In My Way
Forget Me Never
Lonely Man (solo)
I Slipped I Stumbled I Fell (low key)
Outtakes
Lonely Man (take 1)
Wild in the Country (takes 1,2)
Wild in the Country (takes 10,11)
I Slipped I Stumbled I Fell (takes 1,2,3)
Lonely Man (solo, take 1)
In My Way (take 1)
Forget Me Never (takes 2,1)
Lonely Man (take 4)
Lonely Man (solo, takes 2,3)
In My Way (take 2)
In My Way (takes 4,5,6/8)
Wild in the Country (takes 12,13)
Wild in the Country (take 14)
I Slipped I Stumbled I Fell (takes 7,8,9)
I Slipped I Stumbled I Fell (take 11)
Lonely Man (takes 6,7,8)
Lonely Man (takes 11,12)
I Slipped I Stumbled I Fell (takes 14,15,16)
Wild in the Country (take 16)
Husky Dusky Day
Buy Wild In The Country FTD CD
Buy Wild In The Country DVD (NTSC Region 1)
Buy The Elvis Presley Collection 6 DVD Set (Includes Wild In The Country DVD)
Wild In The Country - Elvis Presley FTD CD
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From the movie Wild In The Country
Inside Wild In The Country - On set and Location 1960
In Praise of Wild In The Country
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