One thing that runs through most of the Elvis catalog is poor covers and album titles ... it is a head shaker
lol ... I think I have been guilty of that over the years lol ... A guy at work is still nervous I'll put Beefheart or Zappa on when we need to drive somewhere hahaha
I did a little quick research on this. The English lyrics are basically a translation of the original Italian lyrics. The original Italian version was sung Mina (a woman singer) and are (very loosely) translated as this: Softly As you move away, Try that your step Don't wake me up While you're leaving. Nothing I'm not asking you for anything. Today and beyond time you will be Next to me. In the memory goes Don't ask? To stay again but Take it easy. Not to be heard. Slowly,... Pretty clearly she's talking about a one-night stand situation, not an ongoing relationship where the guy is dying. And there' nothing in the English translation that contradicts that interpretation either. The English version, sung from a male point of view, is basically a more maudlin version of The Sound of Your Cry, not a song about a guy dying.
Haha, that reminds me...a few years ago my family went on vacation (I was driving), and one of the first things my mom said after I picked her up was "You did bring some music other than Elvis, right?"
lol Oh the same guy hates Elvis ... When the thread started, I had just got the RCA box and he would "Hubba Hubba, Blue Suede shoes" and I would punch him lol
I've been enjoying these responses immensely. Incidentally, if anyone would like to hear Charles Boyer's version of "Softly As I Leave You," try this link: "Found Sound Friday No. 9: Vocalogues." I'd forgotten to mention that Elvis had played the Boyer album extensively in 1973 after Priscilla departed, which is probably why he was still doing so in 1974. I'm not crazy about the album, but I think Boyer was a terrific actor; I saw him recently in History Is Made at Night. He also had a pretty sad life--his son committed suicide shortly after producing and persuading his father to record Where Does Love Go? In 1978, a year after Elvis's passing, Boyer himself committed suicide after the death of his wife, to whom he'd been married for 44 years. On a lighter note, Boyer was not the only foreign actor who recorded a version of "Where Does Love Go." Behold: There's also an Elvis connection. Sir Roger was married to Dorothy Squires in the 1950s and wrote the following in his autobiography My Word Is My Bond: Lastly, it has been said that the last movie Elvis ever saw was Moore's Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.
Wow!!! That was fantastic! Never heard that before! Played it loud, hanging onto my seat. This is clearly the best!
I have always had a soft spot for that one because the picture was taken in Fort Worth and for some reason he looks like me (in my 20's) in that photo.
Great post. I run the Spy Vibe site and I hadn't come across that Roger Moore recording before. And SWLM was Elvis' last film viewing? Very interesting. I'll try to share soon on Spy Vibe, as well, as others might be interested. Thanks!
Wasn't the single used from the 68's special? This sounds nothing like the single release if it were a previous take. I don't know! I'm just wondering how this sounds so wonderful, and yet the released version sounds like it has come from a 'TV' show.....Ironically. So confused.... How come the single sounds so removed from this, apart from the vocal obviously performed live?
Firstly, I'm not about to start discussing the dreaded bootlegs. However, to correct you, my understanding of the rules of this forum is, it is ok to discuss, not ok to provide links where to obtain them. I'm a believer in freedom of speech and it is unacceptable to rule out discussion merely because two people on this thread object. The funny thing is, one of the objectors, regularly sings the praises of one of the Elvis world's biggest bootleg suppliers!
I learned the hard way that you can NEVER judge an Elvis LP's contents by the cover art. It's like in that Holy Grail Indiana Jones movie where he's told "You must choose wisely!". On the Burning Love cover, Elvis seems contemplative. On the FEPB, Elvis looks like he's going to rock your socks off. Mahlo From Elvis has poor cover art but actually has good stuff. It's one of his better Camden/Pickwick albums.
The little thing I quoted was copied and pasted directly from the Forum policies page, it seems to be plain as to what it means. Anyways, I'm no moderator obviously, its just I'd hate these threads to be curtailed or deleted or whatever because they'd strayed in to the forbidden zone. I love these threads too much!
Back on topic, I've never had 'He Walks Beside Me', wouldn't mind seeking out that rare CD of it but I do have 'Mahalo from Elvis' can't say I play it often but I do like the cover. I'm odd like that...
Elvis sang live to the backing track in the special. The single version was recorded a week earlier and it was released only in mono. The version on He Walks Beside Me is an outtake and it was the first time the song was released in stereo. The master was eventually released in stereo on Elvis' Gold' Records vol. 5 in the 80s. Take 4 is also available on this German compilation. Elvis* - The Collection Volume 4
The single is take 5 I believe, but I think they may have reverbed it up, from comments by @SKATTERBRANE ... he may be able to clarify that
Looking forward to hearing the thoughts about some of those rare 80s compilations.. should be an interesting thread!
I have never heard the Guitar Man album with its rerecorded music, so I am very much looking forward to hearing what they did there,
