The FTD label - All The Releases

What now, what next, where to – what’s left?

During Elvis’ lifetime, RCA released a total of between 60 – 70 albums, consisting of dedicated recordings, movie soundtracks and live performances. The exact number cannot be defined as some countries issued different versions, there were cheaper releases, and general compilations. However some compilation albums did have significance. The list below does not contain all releases but does feature all the significant ones, as well as including other noteworthy categories that could documented by FTD.

May 2014 - The FTD label has been doing an excellent job at looking at the recording anthology of Elvis Presley and releasing every significant LP or recording session on a 1 or 2CD ‘Classic Album’ version. These usually feature the original album plus alternate takes and sometimes present their own "alternate version" of Elvis’ original LP. I have found these releases essential in re-discovering Elvis’ music catalogue along with and the fascination of re-examining his musical creativity in choosing his material and singles.

FTD’s first release was ‘Burbank ’68’ fifteen years ago, so with all these new releases and packaging what is left for the collector?

I have listed below the most significant of releases and the prospect for future releases. There are some duplication with the excellent Legacy editions, however the FTD still offers more insight and tracks with their offerings.

1950’s. Amazingly for the explosion of Elvis onto the music scene and the requirement for new product, the care of these historic recordings by RCA was shameful. Multiple session tapes were discarded or not properly archived for prosperity. This is mainly due to the poor knowledge and management on how to properly record and deal with the ever-changing technology of the day. The attitude was that if you had a master on the album and it was released then why keep the alternate takes and recording sessions. At the time tapes were not cheap and so why keep outtakes when you could easily erase and use the tape again. Similarly RCA dumped thousands of tapes as landfill when they did their great archive clean-out in 1959. What a tragedy! This is not the case for all the sessions, but does apply to some major historic sessions.

Elvis’ second LP "Elvis" suffered from this treatment and FTD has limited resources to work with when compiling its recent "Classic Album" release. Love Me Tender has finally been released (along with the 1956 Tupelo concerts) while the Television and other concert appearances are yet to be released. We know that RCA/FTD have them as they have previously been released on LP or CD box sets. Elvis’ Christmas Album is now to make an appearance as a Classic Album for Christmas 2014 on the FTD label. King Creole sadly suffered the fate of missing tapes and the few outtakes available were released with their book/CD combo. The compilations "For LP fans only" and "A Date with Elvis" will probably never be released by FTD as their material has been covered with A Boy from Tupelo, Elvis Presley, Elvis, Loving You and Jailhouse Rock.

1960’s. We have some real disappointments here, with the yet to be discovered missing tapes of Kissin’ Cousins, Roustabout and Speedway. If these tapes are not found but FTD still proceeds with 7" releases, I could only suggest the set be collated with the available takes, remixes and possibly the movie soundtracks taken directly from the movie, as these do have some additional orchestral overtones. Flaming Star is yet to be released. This has now been confirmed as a future FTD release for November 2014.

The 10th anniversary LP "Elvis for Everyone" has now been released as a Classic Album FTD release. This was surprising as it was a mish mash of leftover songs from as far back from the Sun days and the only unreleased song from FTD would be ‘Summer Kisses, Winter Tears’ from the above mentioned Flaming Star - however it was more cleverly used by FTD to "mop up" some previously unreleased outtakes on the second CD. The LP "Elvis sings Flaming Star" does rate a mention, as both "Flaming Star" and "Wonderful World" are yet to have a FTD release. During March 1968 to March 1969 Elvis recorded songs for the film soundtracks of "Live a Little, Love a Little", "Charro", "The Trouble with Girls" and "Change of Habit". There is 16 possible tracks amongst this group. I believe there are not many alternate takes to these songs, so it may have a release very similar to the "Double Features" CD released in 1995. However the format, Elvis has an incredibly strong voice during this period and it does deserve a re-engineered release with any possible outtakes.

1970’s. Sadly there is not much left for FTD to release from this period. I can’t really see "Having Fun On Stage" making an appearance! There are only 3 LPs left to be released – the "Let’s be friends" and "Almost in Love" compilations rate a mention, but these tracks would be covered by the 1968-69 previously mentioned and did get their own recent BMG versions. That leaves us with "Elvis In Concert". I think this will make an appearance, as they have pushed out "Our Memories of Elvis", "Guitar Man" and "Hits of the 70’s" I hazard to guess "Elvis in Concert" may be the finale FTD issue and could be a double disc with the original LP included along with both concerts in their entirety that made up the TV special.
　
Holy Grails – leftovers? There are a few tracks left from the Guitar Man sessions. The "This Is Elvis" movie soundtrack could also be released, as it did have some alternate short takes and overdubs. "Elvis On Tour" has yet to be delved into and has been in the pipeline for years. Elvis’ Hampton Roads concert from April 9, 1972 was one of his very best and has been often bootlegged so there is some great potential there. However the fact that the "Elvis On Tour" box-set was not released for the 40th Anniversary is a mystery.

From now on Elvis' live performances will have to become the focus for FTD. As you can see from the table below there are still over fifteen Tours and Seasons still not covered by FTD who wanted to document each one with at least one release.

The Holy Grail of Elvis concert recordings does lie in a warehouse in the USA. Will FTD be able to get the soundboard tapes from the Bruce Jackson Estate? Elvis performed over 1,000 concerts during his lifetime, so there is still a wealth of material from various sources to explore. The Last Concert – rumours suggest there may be a better quality source although if there is a soundboard no doubt it is held by the Bruce Jackson Estate. Surely the true finale for FTD has to be Elvis’ very final performance.
　
So, there are a possible 15 original LPs that could be released. This is something to look forward to, along with any additional gems they may find over the years. Maybe a complete collection of home recordings?

No matter how much is left, the journey that FTD has taken on so far has been great re-acquainting the music of Elvis Presley. Thanks to Ernst, Roger and the FTD team.

- Ian Garfield, May 2014 (updated October 2014)

NOTE- Since updating this article in October 2014 several more Classic Albums, FTD books, soundtracks as well as concert soundboards have been released. These are updated in the table below. - APRIL 2020

READER'S FEEDBACK

From: Rob Greco
I have recently purchased a very large amount over the past 2 years of the incredible 2 cd FTD classic albums.
The one that I’m waiting for (hanging) as mentioned by you is Elvis in Concert 2cd (or more) classic FTD….
I was thinking that this might come out for the 40th on Legacy but that would not be until 2017???
Too long to wait??...remastered, remixed and great booklets…

Just from me… I like to say a BIG thank you to the FTD team for keeping the music alive and amazingly fresh to our ears… what I have as well as millions of others around the world is priceless memories to revisit time and time again…thank you, thank you very much!
Cheers, Rob.

From: Rogier
Looking at the recording sessions at what has been released and what not it is clear that Ernst is saving outtakes. My personal view is that Ernst is saving those for one more big boxset release. If that will be a general public or FTD release, time will tell. Elvis 80th birthday would make a perfect – if not the only occasion to complete the Boxset releases. With Silver, Gold and Platinum released, only one options remains: ‘Diamond’.
 
It is my feeling that Ernst/Sony still have a couple of surprises left in the vault. The live recording of ‘I Forgot To Remember To Forget’ that turned up last year is one of them for sure is in their hands. ‘Rock Around The Clock’ is a title also said to be in the hands of Ernst/Sony but the acetate is too damaged to be heard. Other sources mention some studio versions of the early sixties to exist not heard as of yet (alternate takes of known titles not heard before). One or two unheard movie song(s) - never before heard titles/versions - might also be in the vaults. Then there are homerecordings of the sixties with some titles not yet heard. Some tapes from the ’70 studiosessions (’71 & ’76) are missing and who knows might turn up one day.

There are still some live shows they do need to cover, such as the July 1975 tour. But FTD is running out of other options. On the other hand: who would have ever thought we would be treated to high quality releases for fifteen years that made a lot of dreams come true? When the time has come that FTD has nothing more to offer to us we can turn to our collections and relive all those wonderful releases. Till then; fingers crossed for a couple of more great releases by FTD.

From: Theo
The EP Peace In The Valley is listed in the article, but only outtakes of Peace In the Valley and It Is No Secret exist, so that will probably be a quite short cd. What I'm missing though, are the secular binaural recordings from January 1957. There are binaural outtakes of I Beg Of You, That's When Your Heartaches Begin, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, Blueberry Hill and Is It So Strange. They could be combined with the FTD's Peace In The Valley, but the "Just For You" EP from August 1957 featured (the masters of) the latter three songs. So FTD could release a Classic Album version of this EP and release the outtakes of I Beg Of You and That's When Your Heartaches Begin on that CD as well.
Best regards, Theo H

From: Carlo
There are two Elvis recordings which have yet to see an official release and that seems to be ignored by everybody: The alternate long version with extra-verses of “Wolf Call” and “I’ve Got TO Find My Baby” from “Girl Happy”.
We’ve had them many years ago on bootleg vinyl albums with a “phone-line” effect sound. I was sure I would have found them on the “Girl Happy” FTD release, so I was very disappointed to find out they were not included.
I can hardly believe Ernst Jorgensen doesn’t know who has the original tapes and hasn’t been able to get them.
(EIN believes the original tapes are missing in the same way FTD do not have the first session reel for Blue Hawaii's 'Can't Help Falling In Love')
My best regards, Carlo S

From Ken Jensen
Don't be surprised if 'A Date with Elvis' and 'For LP Fans Only' are released on FTD. I know exactly what should be on those albums to make them worthwhile 2-CD sets. So does Ernst.
There's even a way to release the rest of the Golden Records series. The first volume could contain the remaining 1957 sessions, sans the gospel outtakes, which obviously belong on the Christmas album. The two volumes from the '60s could contain leftover studio and/or soundtrack outtakes.
The Christmas Album maybe released toward the end of this year.

Review of the FTD 'At the International' 1969

Review of FTD 'All Shook Up' 1969

Review of FTD 'Writing For The King'

Review of BMG 'Viva Las Vegas LIVE' 1969'

The Impossible Dream FDT review 1971

'An American Trilogy' - FTD Review 1972

'Summer Festival' - FTD review 1972:

'Closing Night' a wild 1973 September'