A Quick Look at ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER Soundtrack [Pastimescapes blog]

April 7, 2018January 29, 2026 / TY / 2 Comments

ELVIS: THE GREAT PERFORMANCES (1990) and ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER (2018) soundtracks (Front)

Just a couple of shots of the beautifully packaged soundtrack to the upcoming HBO documentary Elvis Presley: The Searcher. This is the 3-CD version. 1-CD and vinyl versions are also available. The soundtrack hit stores yesterday.

I threw a standard-sized CD case in there for size comparison (The Great Performances).

ELVIS: THE GREAT PERFORMANCES (1990) and ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER (2018) soundtracks (Back)

I’m not opening this until after I watch the documentary, so this is all I can really say about the soundtrack for now. Both parts of Elvis Presley: The Searcher premiere Saturday, April 14.

See below for the documentary’s trailer:

Vinyl Elvis: ELVIS SINGS HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 1 (1972) [Pastimescapes blog]

March 26, 2018February 27, 2026 / TY / 1 Comment

ELVIS SINGS HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 1 (Pickwick, 1975/1980) [Photo by the author]

Elvis Sings Hits From His Movies, Volume 1
Label: RCA Camden [Reissue: Pickwick]
Catalog Number: CAS-2567
Recorded: 1962-1967 | Hollywood, CA; Nashville, TN
Released: 1972 [Reissue: 1975/1980]

A glance by an unknowing fan at the front cover of Elvis Presley’s Elvis Sings Hits From His Movies, Volume 1 (above), might lead her or him to believe that the album contains Elvis singing live versions of various movie songs in the early 1970s. While that might have actually made for an intriguing concept, the reality is this album, first available on RCA’s Camden budget label in 1972, simply re-releases a number of songs as recorded for or during the time of his mid-1960s movies. As with the original soundtracks of that era, the result is a mixed bag – ranging from stellar to awful.

Side 1 of ELVIS SINGS HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 1 (Pickwick, 1975/1980) [Photo by the author]

Side 1

Down By The Riverside and When The Saints Go Marching In (1965)
A pleasant-enough medley, from Frankie And Johnny, opens Side 1. The Dixieland-infused “Down By The Riverside/When The Saints Go Marching In” is fun, but suffers from a chintzy arrangement typical of too many Elvis movie tunes.
They Remind Me Too Much Of You (1962)
From It Happened At The World’s Fair, “They Remind Me Too Much Of You” offers a quiet mood and a simple, effective arrangement. A highlight.
Confidence (1967)
When I first heard “Confidence,” as a teen, I declared it as Elvis’ worst song ever. I can’t say my opinion of this song from Clambake has really evolved since then. If you have never heard this one, you are lucky.
Frankie And Johnny (1965)
Another overblown arrangement detracts from an otherwise nice rendition by Elvis of the title tune of Frankie And Johnny.
Guitar Man (1967)
What’s this? A top-notch song to close out Side 1? Unbelievable. Though noted as from the movie Clambake on the label (it neither appeared in the film nor was recorded for it), “Guitar Man” is actually a bonus song, as correctly specified on the back cover. The confusion comes in because it was also a bonus song on the Clambake album. Jerry Reed, writer and original recorder of the song, features on lead guitar. Elvis would return to “Guitar Man” a year later for his 1968 television special, ELVIS.

Side 2

Side 2 of ELVIS SINGS HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 1 (Pickwick, 1975/1980) [Photo by the author]

Long Legged Girl (With The Short Dress On) (1966)
From Double Trouble, “Long Legged Girl” ably represents another staple of the Elvis movie tune catalog, the overblown, pseudo rock & roll song. Enjoyable, but forgettable.
You Don’t Know Me (1967)
And then, out of nowhere, another of Elvis’ best recordings ever – “You Don’t Know Me.” The lyrics of this beautiful song, a different and inferior recording and arrangement of which appeared in the movie Clambake, speak to the sorrow of opportunity lost. I first noticed this song by Ray Charles, in the 1993 movie Groundhog Day – although I must have heard the Elvis version before via this record and missed its significance, probably because an album like this one is so easy to overlook. After loving the Charles version in the movie, I was thrilled when I came across the Elvis version on From Nashville To Memphis just a few months later. It is my completely unbiased opinion as a lifelong Elvis fan that the Elvis version is superior, of course.
How Would You Like To Be (1962)
What is the price for listening to “You Don’t Know Me”? That’s right, the wretched “How Would You Like To Be.” Almost as bad as “Confidence,” this one is from It Happened At The World’s Fair, and it is the stuff of which nightmares are made.
Big Boss Man (1967)
Though not quite up to par with “Guitar Man” or “You Don’t Know Me,” “Big Boss Man” sounds like a comparative masterpiece after “How Would You Like To Be.” Reed again features on guitar. Elvis later re-recorded this one for the ELVIS special as well.
Old MacDonald (1966)
I know, I know, many fans consider this one of Elvis’ worst songs and a nadir in his recording career. I’ve always found it fun, and that opinion has not evolved over the years, either. It remains a guilty pleasure.

Though in fine condition, with no crackles, pops, or skips, the overall sound of Elvis Sings Hits From His Movies, Volume 1 is disappointingly dull. It is simply not as vibrant as most other vintage records I have played in recent years.

Inner sleeve from ELVIS SINGS HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 1 (Pickwick, 1980) [Photo by the author]

There is some truth in advertising in the album’s back cover (below), which at least features covers of the original 1960s albums from which these recordings were drawn – despite another potentially misleading 1970s live shot.

Back cover of ELVIS SINGS HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 1 (Pickwick, 1975/1980) [Photo by the author]

Misleading covers were typical for the Camden/Pickwick Elvis releases, though. This one appeared on store shelves around the same time as the all-new Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden – in which, ironically, Elvis really did sing live versions of a few of his movie hits (“Can’t Help Falling In Love,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Teddy Bear”) as well as other songs from throughout his career to that point.

As for the muffled sound, if it is a result of the mastering, the material, the budget nature of the label, my setup, my ears, or some other technical factor is beyond my current knowledge. Ultimately, it makes little difference.

Though there is some enjoyment to be found here (it is Elvis, after all), Elvis Sings Hits From His Movies, Volume 1 is not a record I would return to very often even were it in excellent sound quality. The Camden/Pickwick records served their purpose, and I freely admit that Elvis fans, especially this one, are spoiled these days, but even I do not have enough nostalgia to propel this record into something it is not.

Thank you to my brother for giving me the Elvis records that inspired this series of posts.

Searching for Elvis in 2018 [Pastimescapes blog]

January 8, 2018January 29, 2026 / TY / 5 Comments

Elvis Presley in 1968

Elvis Presley would have turned 83 today. Elvis is gone, but what is ahead for his fans in 2018?

A new HBO presentation, Elvis Presley: The Searcher, will air in the spring. This three-hour documentary will span the majority of Elvis’ career, ending with the 1976 Graceland sessions only months before his death.

The Searcher has the potential to reach a broader audience than other Elvis projects in recent years. Sony will be releasing a soundtrack CD in conjunction with the documentary. Presumably, this will contain many of the typical greatest hits, but I hope it contains a few hidden gems as well.

It has been over 15 years since the smashing success of ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits, which reigned at the top of the Billboard charts in October 2002 – propelled by JXL’s fantastic remix of “A Little Less Conversation.” Can the new HBO documentary fuel similar success?

For 2018, there are a couple of other Elvis products I hope hit the market. ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special – Deluxe Edition deserves a Blu-ray release in the original program’s 50th anniversary year, as does Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii – Deluxe Edition in the original’s 45th year.

Since both specials were unfortunately shot on video, there is not much to be gained in terms of picture quality on Blu-ray. However, audio quality could be upgraded and minor production glitches on the DVD versions could be resolved.

What Elvis releases are you hoping for in 2018?

Before I sign off, I want to point you over to Wellsy’s SoulRide blog. A series called “This is the Story: The Best Recordings of Elvis Presley” has the following Elvis birthday week coverage:

Wellsy has compiled some great lists here, but be sure to check out that last Top Ten link in particular for an insightful look at different approaches to being an Elvis fan.

While I have experienced many of the same characteristics in some first generation Elvis fans as Wellsy mentions, one thing I always keep in mind is these first generation fans made Elvis and, thus, gave the world to him, and him to the world. Without them, fans from subsequent generations like Wellsy or me would not have this vast catalog of music to explore and enjoy.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Makes Me Wonder If I Really Need a New Elvis CHRISTMAS Album [Pastimescapes blog]

November 25, 2017January 29, 2026 / TY / 2 Comments

If there is one constant at Christmastime, it is that there will be a “new” Elvis Christmas album available for purchase. These are normally just reshuffled sequences of selections from the two dozen or so seasonal songs Elvis Presley first released in 1957, 1966, 1968, and 1971. Only occasionally has there been any creativity in these posthumous releases–such as 1982’s Memories of Christmas or 2008’s Elvis Presley Christmas Duets albums.

While Christmas Duets was mostly a “miss,” at least it was an attempt to try something new. Now, in 2017, RCA/Sony/Legacy attempts again to freshen up the classics with Christmas. The album features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) providing new backing music for Elvis’ vocals. How does this latest attempt fare?

As I enjoyed both of the previous Elvis/RPO offerings (2015’s If I Can Dream and 2016’s The Wonder of You), I mostly knew what to expect going in. One aspect I found surprising this time, though, is that I immediately loved this album. With the two former albums, I had to play them through a couple of times to really “get” them. You could say I learned to love the If I Can Dream and The Wonder of You Elvis/RPO albums, while it was love at first listen with Christmas.

The Deluxe Edition of Christmas includes the Elvis vocals from all 12 (8 Christmas and 4 gospel) songs on 1957’s Elvis’ Christmas Album. It also contains Elvis performances of five Christmas selections originally part of 1971’s Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas. I recommend the Deluxe Edition (red cover) because it contains four more tracks than the standard version (tan cover), yet is at a similar price point.

I must admit, I was skeptical of the track listing before actually playing the album. Surely, the RPO would not mix well with bluesy classics like “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” and “Merry Christmas Baby.” While the originals are stone-cold classics, these new interpretations also manage to work in their own right.

What really makes this album stand out, though, are the Elvis vocals. They are so crystal clear. It is frustrating that they do not sound this way more often on standard releases, without newly recorded backgrounds, but I can only assume there is some technological reason that prevents this.

Though strong albums, If I Can Dream and The Wonder of You both had a few tracks where the RPO concept just did not work very well. Not so here. Every track on Christmas works. This is the best of the Elvis/RPO trilogy.

While I consider this a near-perfect album, given the concept, there is, unfortunately, a missed opportunity. “I’ll Be Home On Christmas Day,” which ranks second only to “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” as the best Elvis Christmas song of all, is missing in action here. Unless they plan an EP for some future Christmas, there are really not enough Elvis Christmas songs remaining to warrant a second full-length album, so they are probably not holding it back for that reason. I am not sure what happened, but perhaps an orchestral arrangement for the song simply did not work.

Unlike Christmas Duets, which had a pedestrian approach to many tracks, the arrangements here, by Robin Smith and Sally Herbert, offer much interest. I love the fuller sound. Also unlike Christmas Duets, I suspect this album will become a permanent fixture in my Christmas music rotation in the years ahead – alongside the originals, of course.

Do I really need a new Elvis Christmas album? It turns out the answer is, yes. This year, more than ever.

Christmas is a beautiful album.

Overall Rating: 10 out of 10.

CHRISTMAS (2017) [Deluxe Edition]

Tracks

Christmas
Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Santa Claus Is Back In Town [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
White Christmas [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
Here Comes Santa Claus [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
Merry Christmas Baby [Elvis portions recorded 1971, Nashville]
Blue Christmas [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
I’ll Be Home For Christmas [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
Winter Wonderland [Elvis portions recorded 1971, Nashville]
Santa Bring My Baby Back [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
Silver Bells [Elvis portions recorded 1971, Nashville]
O Little Town Of Bethlehem [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
O Come All Ye Faithful [Elvis portions recorded 1971, Nashville]
The First Noel [Elvis portions recorded 1971, Nashville]
Silent Night [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
Peace In The Valley (Deluxe Edition only) [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
I Believe (Deluxe Edition only) [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
Take My Hand, Precious Lord (Deluxe Edition only) [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]
It Is No Secret (Deluxe Edition only) [Elvis portions recorded 1957, Hollywood]

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recorded 2017 at Abbey Road Studio 2, London.

Elvis Presley: 40 Best Deep Cuts (Part 4 – The Top 10)[Pastimescapes blog]

August 18, 2017January 29, 2026 / TY / 4 Comments

Elvis Presley in 1956

This is Part 4 of a countdown of Elvis Presley’s greatest “deep cuts,” songs that did not appear as singles in the United States during his lifetime.

#10 Walk A Mile In My Shoes [Live] (1970)
On Stage – February, 1970

#9 Johnny B. Goode [Live] (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#8 Stranger In The Crowd (1970)
That’s The Way It Is

#7 You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ [Live] (1970)
That’s The Way It Is

#6 Just Pretend (1970)
That’s The Way It Is

#5 How The Web Was Woven (1970)
That’s The Way It Is

#4 Polk Salad Annie [Live] (1970)
On Stage – February, 1970

#3 Tiger Man [Live] (1969)
From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis

#2 Reconsider Baby (1960)
Elvis Is Back!

#1 Love Me (1956)
Elvis

I must admit that I struggled with my selection for the top spot. For a “deep cuts” list, “Love Me” feels like a cheat. Demonstrating the power of Elvis in 1956, “Love Me” managed to climb to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart without even being released as a single. Therefore, it shows up on many greatest hits compilations.

In any event, “Love Me” fits within the parameters that I defined for this list, and it is no doubt the greatest of the deep cuts, even if not the deepest of them.

By the way, I want to give a quick thank you to Elvis Day By Day and others who have supported this series over on Twitter. I very much appreciate it.

Whether you are playing deep cuts or greatest hits, be sure to crank up some Elvis this week and every week. It’s good for you!

The Mystery Train

Travel the music & films of Elvis Presley

Archives

A Quick Look at ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER Soundtrack [Pastimescapes blog]

Vinyl Elvis: ELVIS SINGS HITS FROM HIS MOVIES, VOLUME 1 (1972) [Pastimescapes blog]

Searching for Elvis in 2018 [Pastimescapes blog]

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Makes Me Wonder If I Really Need a New Elvis CHRISTMAS Album [Pastimescapes blog]

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