Review: Viva Las Vegas FTD CD
Source: www.elvis.com.au
February 28, 2008
Viva Las Vegas FTD CD
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The CD itself contains both previously released and previously unreleased outtakes. It is a standard CD but housed in a deluxe 7" (17.5 cm) (like a single or EP) triple-fold-out package. It includes a 12 page booklet with information, including photos and images of related memorabilia and 'Behind the Scenes' facts, 'In And Outtake' and 'Off Camera' pages. You can view samples of these from the Girl Happy release here.
Viva Las Vegas was Elvis' most successful film, commercially.
It also featured Ann-Margret, with whom Elvis would have a year long affair. The chemistry between the two is very apparent. They would remain friends until the end of his life. The film benefited from the direction of veteran George Sidney. He re-shot scenes over and over and from different angles. He angered Col. Tom Parker by exceeding the film's budget, but did produce a slick, commercial movie that ranks as one of Elvis' best and remains very entertaining. The movie may have had the strongest set of songs of any Elvis film and it is inconceivable that a complete soundtrack album was not issued by the RCA label at the time. Ann-Margret, who sang a number of songs was also under contract to RCA, so that was not an issue. One single and a four song EP were all that were released in 1964. Today the full soundtrack has been issued on CD via the Follow That Dream Official Collectors Label and is well worth seeking out.
'Viva Las Vegas' remains a classic Presley song. Elvis' vocal performance can be called joyous. His voice had matured over the previous several years and had a quality and timbre that has rarely been matched. History says that Elvis recorded this song in one take. Why it failed as a single is beyond me.
Elvis was always able to take classic songs by other artists and transform them into his own creations. Here Elvis takes the rhythm & blue standard, 'What'd I Say' and gives it a driving rock performance. Elvis acquits himself well when comparing this version to the well known Ray Charles performance.
Ann-Margret was a seasoned singer and performer by this time and she sings on a number of tracks. 'The Lady Loves Me' and 'You're The Boss' which was not used in the film, but is included on the modern day CD releases, are duets and both show the chemistry between the two stars. She gives the songs a sensual appeal and Elvis has the professionalism not to overwhelm her vocals. Ann-Margret steps forward and sings lead on 'Appreciation' and 'My Rival'. Ann-Margret was such a visual presence at this point in her career that seeing her perform may be preferable to just listening to her but overall the songs are fine.
The album has a number of other treats by Elvis. 'C'mon Everybody' is good up-tempo pop that Elvis had become very proficient at creating by this time in his career. 'I Need Somebody To Love' gives the feel of a small Vegas lounge act and I say that in a good way. Elvis creates an intimate feel for the listener. 'If You Think I don't Need You' goes in a different direction and shows just how versatile Elvis was on this soundtrack and in the movie. This is an up-beat dance number that almost makes me get up and dance.
Viva Las Vegas, both the film and the modern day CD soundtrack, are essential Elvis and remain highly entertaining. It was amazing what Elvis could produce when motivated by good material and a sound script. The energy of and the attraction to Ann-Margret was also an important ingredient. This soundtrack has been released in several forms on CD but most all are will allow you to hear the movie Elvis at his best.
Buy Viva Las Vegas Special Edition FTD CD
In And Outtakes Page - From the Booklet; Girl Happy FTD Special Edition CD
Off Camera Page - From the Booklet; Girl Happy FTD Special Edition CD
Buy Viva Las Vegas Special Edition FTD CD
Buy Viva Las Vegas Deluxe Edition DVD
Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presley Soundtrack CD
01. Viva Las Vegas
02. What I'd Say
03. If You Think I Don't Need You
04. I Need Somebody To Lean On
05. C'mon Everybody
06. Today, Tomorrow And Forever
07. Night Life
08. Santa Lucia
09. Do The Vega
10. You're The Boss (Duet with Ann-Margret)
11. The Yellow Rose Of Texas/The Eyes Of Texas
12. The Lady Loves Me
Plus the alternate takes ...
13) Today, Tomorrow And Forever (with Ann-Margret) - takes 1,2 5:39 (Giant/ Baum/ Kaye) 14) Viva Las Vegas - takes 1,2 4:27 (Pomus/Shuman) 15) Night Life - take 3 1:59 (Giant/Baum/Kaye) 16) C'mon Everybody - takes 1,2,3 4:05 (Byers) 17) I Need Somebody To Lean On - take 8 3:12* (Pomus/Shuman) 18) The Lady Loves Me (with Ann-Margret) – take 9 3:43* (Tepper/Bennett) 19) You're The Boss (with Ann-Margret) - take 3 2:45 (Leiber/Stoller) 20) Today, Tomorrow And Forever - takes 3,4 3:40* (Giant/ Baum/ Kaye) 21) What'd I Say – takes 1,2 3:57 (Ray Charles) 22) If You Think I don't Need You 5,7 3:20* (West/Cooper) 23) C'mon Everybody - takes 6,7 2:29 (Byers) 24) Do The Vega - take 1 2:45 (Giant/Baum/Kaye) 25) The Climb - take 9 5:19 (Leiber/Stoller)
Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presley FTD CD
Follow That Dream CD and Book Reviews
Check out our other reviews of ...
Frankie And Johnny
Harum Scarum
Fun In Acapulco
It Happened At The World's Fair
Girl Happy
Girls! Girls! Girls!
Loving You
From the movie Viva Las Vegas
Elvis Shop > Elvis Presley CD's > Elvis Presley FTD CD's > Elvis Movie Soundtrack Albums
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
