Best track on "Elvis sings Flaming star" LP 1968

#392241

....or "SINGER PRESENTS ELVIS SINGING FLAMING STAR AND OTHERS" as it orginally called at it´s release in november 1968, but the title was to long to use in this forum.

It´s been a long time since the last poll. Funny how time slips away...

But here we have the first budget album which was orginally sold in the Singer stores, then re-released in 1969 for the main market. I have a soft spot for those budget albums, as it was the ones that I could afford as a child. I spite of the very short running time, this album is more than ok. The title track is quite nice. Wonderful world is a good performance of a just average song. Night life is one of my cult favourites. Nasty fuzz guitar! All I needed was the rain is an outstanding recording that feels like a brother to those accoustic songs recorded 1966-1968. It doesn´t feel like the movie song it is. Too much monkey business is almost in the same class. Now the quality gets a bit lower with the "Texas medley", She´s a machine (but I don´t dislike this one) and Do the Vega. But what a final on the album. Tiger man is one of the most wild, crazy and hot recordings ever done by our man. It will get my vote!!

Please vote on!

//Björn

#392294

I voted for Wonderful World. This LP was the first in my Elvis collection. Wonderful World is my favourite track on this album. A track you can whistle after playing. Ballad with a catchy tune.

#392328

"Tiger Man," by about 100 miles. Can you imagine hearing this AMAZING track at home in November 1968? And then feeling the disappointment when it was not in the December broadcast? Of course, it got in there during the repeat showing in August.

#392333

Has to be Tiger Man, with Too Much Monkey Business a distant 2nd.

#392346

Too much Monkey Business.

#392351

Even though I like every song on this album apart from 'Eyes Of Texas' (I love his voice on 'Yellow Rose') - 'All I needed Was The Rain' is my selection. It has a lovely, bluesy feel that is performed perfectly. It's only criticism is that it is too short.

Andy

#392447

jetblack wrote:... 'All I needed Was The Rain' is my selection. It has a lovely, bluesy feel that is performed perfectly. It's only criticism is that it is too short.

Another problem -- it's a rip-off of "Ode To Billie Joe," Bobbie Gentry's massive 1967 pop/country hit.

#392540

It has a sound similer to "Ode" but it's a lot less plot oriented and lacks the strings etc. Too Much Monkey is very good especally the guitar sound. It and Tiger Man are both faves.

#392575

Too much monkey business aha-ha

JerryNodak · #392593

Wonderful World has always been a fave of mine.

#393003

But where is Shanebrown??? I´m a bit worried. Are you ok?

//Björn

JerryNodak · #393022

Stood to reason Tiger Man wasn't going to be in the original broadcast of the Comeback Special when it was released on Flaming Star. I wasn't surprised or disappointed.

JerryNodak · #393026

Shane: I concur with your views on Tiger Man. You do realize those views amount to slewing a sacred cow. Someone's sure to acuse us of not being real Elvis fans.

#393038

shanebrown wrote:I never thought of it as a rip off of Ode To Billy Joe! That is probably pushing it a little bit.

No, it's just the reality of the genesis of the recording.

#393060

shanebrown wrote:Can you back up what you're saying, Doc?

All you need are ears and a lesson in popular culture, circa fall 1967.

#393098

shanebrown wrote:With all due respect, Doc, if I can have the decency to back up my opinion, you should at least have the decency to back up yours which, yet again, you have failed to do. Although I bow to your knowledge of facts and figures with regards to presley and his career it wouldn't be a bad thing to admit that your opinions are sometimes incorrect or be willing to back them up occasionally with more than what basically says "it's correct, because it is." It is extremely annoying and does you no favours.

Your curt tone and erroneous assumptions are not appreciated.

I answered your query, and not at all in the manner you describe.

Your comments make it clear you are unaware Gentry's song was a massive hit, felt deeply by listeners all around the world. Both single and album (pictured above) crossed over from the country charts to pop, R&B and even adult contemporary. THAT is a very rare event, then or now.

Presley's recording of "All I Needed Was The Rain" is delightful, but directly evokes the sound and feeling of Bobbie's classic recording -- it is unmistakable.

As a matter of fact, less than a month prior to cutting the song, Presley himself quotes her lyrics during his session for "Hi-Heel Sneakers." The song's influence was THAT remarkable, even Elvis knew it.

In the future, some kind of civility on your part would be appreciated.

#393110

Forget the songs, I thought Bobbie Gentry was quite the looker back in those days.

#393129

ekenee wrote:Forget the songs, I thought Bobbie Gentry was quite the looker back in those days.

I was gonna say I disagree but hell on that i can't lol
Scott

#393187

All I Needed Was The Rain

Ode To Billy Joe

If it helps. There are similarities. I like the harp in All I Needed Was The Rain better than the strings in Ode To Billy Joe.

#393333

shanebrown wrote:... you came back with the comment that all was needed was a pair of ears, as if the link is obvious.

For some, it is almost painfully obvious, while for others it is clearly much more elusive. I am content to sit firmly in the former group.

My comment also suggested "a lesson in popular culture, circa fall 1967." Food for thought.

YouTube · #393863

Shane, I'm with you.

I used to watch the Bobbie Gentry TV shows back in the late 1960s and have about 4 or 5 of her albums on vinyl, bought at that time.

Yet it has never occurred to me that AINWTR has anything to do with Ode To Billy Joe or is in any way reminiscent of the latter. My opinion is as valid as the Doc's - the only difference is that I know the meaning of the word 'opinion' - he doesn't.

Too Much Monkey Business is my favourite track on "Singer Presents . . " and yes, I have the original album, imported at the time. It is one of the slickest-sounding tracks that Elvis ever recorded and is sheer perfection in terms of presentation.

Steve Morse

#393892

Well! Most messages since "Kissin´cousins". Didn´t expect that!

//Björn

#393894

TIGER MAN

#394048

Steve Morse wrote:My opinion is as valid as the Doc's - the only difference is that I know the meaning of the word 'opinion' - he doesn't.

Again with the rude tone, out of nowhere -- thanks, Steve. I have been very civil with you, and such comments make me wonder why I bothered.

As for the definition, it is implicit in any of our postings.

What you fail to respect here is that mine is a VERY GOOD opinion, and the one you share with Shane is not.

#394089

Shane, my observations are very clear.

I'll give it one last try. Here goes.

If Bobbie Gentry never recorded and released her haunting, massive hit single, there would be no "All I Needed Was The Rain" as we know it today.