ELVIS BMG CD REVIEWS

This is one of the first 4 releases in the Double Features series. It was released in 1993. Nothing really fancy about the packaging. The cover featured two pictures, one from each movie. It contained a 14 page booklet containing information about the movies, a list of actors and actresses, working titles for the movies and recording information along with the musicians who played on the songs and it also contained black and white photos from both movies. It’s important to note that the version of this released in the United Kingdom featured both soundtrack album covers on the front instead of two pictures.

The CD was mastered from the original 3-track tapes to make them sound more modern. However many fans disapproved of the mix. In my opinion the new mix makes Elvis sound like he’s singing into a tin can. Fortunatly as of the time of this writting FTD will be releasing the original soundtracks with original mixes.

It Happened at the world’s fair:
The CD kicks off with the song that opened the movie. Beyond the bend. Although not hit material it’s a fun song to listen to and a uptempo song to get the album going. The next song is almost like the song “Fever”. It’s called “Relax”, very bluesy, but very hollywood at the same time.

There were two attempts of take me to the fair. A version was tried out on August 30, 1962 and apparently was rejected for unknown reasons and to date no release of that version has been released, (as of 4/15/03 an acetate version of the song will be released on FTD). The original is very happy song. I like it, however like most of the songs on this soundtrack, not hit material.

The next song was released as the flip side of a single. They remind me too much of you, is a solid ballad and probably one of Elvis’ best ballads and the flip side of that song was the upbeat One Broken Heart for Sale. Take 1 was used in the movie. It features Elvis singing solo on the first couple of bars, whereas the orignal single version, take 5, starts with Elvis and the group at once. Take 1 was first released on COLLECTORS GOLD. The Original single version was shorter than take 1, however it reached number 11 on the billboard charts, and is one of my favorite songs, however this mix does not do the song justice.

The next song is called “I’m Falling in Love Tonight” this is a ballad sort of like the song “They Remind me too much of You” This ballad is a very good one and probably my favorite Elvis ballad. It’s a nice tune.

“Cotton Candy Land”, “A World of Our Own” and “How Would You Like to be” should have stayed in the movies they are not that good. It’s odd to think that in 1966 RCA would release “If Everyday was like Christmas” with the song “How Would You Like to be”, with so much other material to choose from this song did not make any sense. 

“Happy Ending” is pure hollywood, but listenable. I kind of like. This soundtrack, IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD’S FAIR, is not a long one, just barely over 20 minutes. There are a few jems and a few dogs on the soundtrack.

FUN IN ACAPULCO:
The mix of this CD makes this soundtrack makes this soundtrack sort of unenjoyable. When this was released in 1963 RCA inclueded the songs “Love me Tonight” and “Slowly but Surely” as bonus songs to the lp. However they are not inclueded on this collection.

“Fun in Acapulco”, is an interesting song, I could never imagine a song written about Fun in Acapulco, but it was done and in somewhat good taste. The soundtrack is pure Mexican, with all this latin music and instrumentations. That brings the next song, “Vino, Dinero Y Amor” I like this song and is kind of enjoyable. 

“Mexico” was done as a duet with a kid in the movie and is kind of odd they either didn’t use the kid to fill in the spots where he was singing or an earlier take of this song by Elvis singing the missing lyrics.

“El toro” was a story song and actually was done well, considering what it’s about. “Marguerita” is also a good number. Elvis sang this to Ursula Andress, who’s name was Marguerita.

“The Bullfighter was a Lady” ok now we get to the not so good part of the soundtrack. I never knew that bulls could shave, because he wanted to date the madadore. Then “There’s no Room to rhumba In a Sports Car” the titles almost as long as the song. This is probably the worst songs on the soundtrack, cleary movie material only.

The next two songs bring the soundtrack back up o parr, “I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here” is a good number as is “Bossa Nova Baby.” “Bossa Nova Baby” was released as a single and was backed with “Witchcraft.” The single hit the top ten. My favorite song from the film. Love the dance scene in the film where Elvis’ is clearly lip synching. Looks like the songs playing and Elvis is moving his mouth, neither matching up. Still fun to watch.

“You can’t say no in Acapulco” is just movie filler. Not good, but not bad. It’s just a song with latin music. “Guadalajara”, the last song is not good. It’s in spanish, supposably. The scene where Elvis sings that song is hard to believe, he just did a dive and then sings the song? Oh well, who watches Elvis movies because they make sense anyway, I usually watch them because they are fun.

With that being said the review of this CD is done. It must be stressed that movie music is hard to review as it was not meant for records, or at least at first they weren’t.

2003/04/23 George Nelson / Ep.Gold.Com.