Go to main content

G.I. Blues Special Edition

November 05, 2012 | Music

G.I. Blues Special Edition will be released on vinyl by FTD in December.

Side 1 – The Companion Album
1. Tonight Is So Right For Love (take 4) (2:19)
2. What’s She Really Like (takes 12, 13) (3.00)
3. Frankfort Special (version 1, take 12) (2:16)
4. Wooden Heart (takes 2-4M) (3.49)
5. G. I. Blues (take 5) (2:41)
6. Tonight Is So Right For Love (instrumental)
(2:14) (Barcarolle from “The Tales Of Hoffman”
by Jacques Offenbach)
7. Tonight’s All Right For Love (alternative version, take1) (1:22)
8. Big Boots (medium tempo version) (1.00)

Side 2 – The Companion Album
1. Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, take 10)
(2:36)
2. Shoppin’ Around (version 1, take 5) (2:16)
3. Big Boots (slow version, takes 2, 3) (2.25)
4. Didja’ Ever (take 1) (2:46)
5. Shoppin’ Around (instrumental, take 4) (1.43)
6. Doin’ The Best I Can (takes 1-3) (4.53)
7. Doin’ The Best I Can (takes 4-7) (2.19)

DMM Mastering by Abbey Road Studios.
Side 3 – The Original Album
1. Tonight Is So Right For Love (2:13)
2. What’s She Really Like (2.18)
3. Frankfort Special (2:55)
4. Wooden Heart (2.03)
5. G. I. Blues (2:37)
Bonus Tracks
6. Tonight Is So Right For Love (alternative version) (1:21)
7. G. I. Blues (take 1) (2:56)
8 .Wooden Heart (take 1) (2.01)

Side 4 – The Original Album
1 Pocketful Of Rainbows (2:35)
2 Shoppin’ Around (2:22)
3 Big Boots (1.31)
4 Didja’ Ever (2:37)
5 Blue Suede Shoes (2.07)
6 Doin’ The Best I Can (3.12)
Bonus Track
7 Doin’ The Best I Can (takes 8, 9) (3.33)

Source:Email
Deano1 wrote on November 06, 2012
Great cover! Much better than the original "G.I. Blues" LP cover. I love this movie and soundtrack and I am a big lover of vinyl. This one will be added to my collection. I just wish they hadn't added bonus tracks to the original LP (sides 3 and 4)...Couldn't they have been added to sides one and two instead of the instrumentals?
Rejane wrote on November 06, 2012
Have to agree with Deano, awesome cover! One of my favorite soundtracks, will definetly make my collection!
Rejane wrote on November 06, 2012
I am confused as to why this picture is different than the cd release for the same album. must be a marketing ploy, possibly to gain additional revenue.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on November 06, 2012
I too, like this photo, and album design better than the original. This soundtrack, was one of his best, and the outakes will make it even more special !
benny scott wrote on November 06, 2012
Definetly on my list too ! Always El.
Pedro Nuno wrote on November 06, 2012
Never care about this soundtrack album, and never will. I find it mediocre and a punch in the nose for those who listened to Elvis The Pelvis and loved "Elvis is Back". This album is the very beginning of the End of Presley in terms of creativity and musical challenge. It’s the beginning of the end of Elvis as a social and cultural force, only to become a wheel in the system. …It would be less dangerous if Elvis had returned to Rock but, … 1968 was soooo far… I'll pass it for sure.
Cruiser621 wrote on November 06, 2012
I agree with Pedro Nuno completely. This album was rather bland compared to it's predecessor "Elvis Is Back!" and was the start of the road to decline for Elvis music.
alanfalk wrote on November 06, 2012
Saying that the 60´ until 68 was a steady decline for Elvis music is such a simplistic wiev ( often stated by those who think that the rock´n roll Elvis was the only real Elvis which is BS in my book), there are so much good music in that period; Something for everybody, His Hand in Mine, Put Luck, How Great Thou Art and the soundtracks to G.I Blues, Blue Hawai, Fun In Alcapulco and on top of that many good bonus songs on many soundtrack. I agree that much of the music on the soundtracks are sub standard(but still with a great voice in them), but there are at least 80-100 really good songs in that period . I actually think that one of the reasons to why many fans can listen to Elvis every day through their whole life is that there is so much different music; Gospel, POP, Rock´n roll, Soul, Blues, country, christmas music and even opera/jazz/funk-like music.
FM wrote on November 06, 2012
I picked up the CD version from FTD and let me tell you, the outtakes sound far better than the masters, from the two discs, made my own disc of just outtakes with non repeated songs and it is in my player as one of the disc I listen to often. definitely worth picking up.
I am Buffalo-Horn! wrote on November 06, 2012
It's worth remembering that Elvis himself expressed disappointment with the choice of songs he had to record for this album. Must agree that the cover shot is nice though, & I shall be buying it (from the Emerald Isle!!)
Gorse wrote on November 06, 2012
Well said alanfalk, that's exactly my view and I really enjoy 2/3 of the film output of the 60's. The strength of the man was his unique voice and diversity of output all well performed.
Deano1 wrote on November 06, 2012
A slap in the face? really? Do you realize if Elvis had kept rocking in the early 60's like he did in the 50's, he would have become a relic? Look at the facts. His biggest hits were ballads and light rockers while the harder edged rockers ("I Feel So Bad" and "Little Sister" struggled on the U.S. charts in comparison). As good as "Elvis Is Back" is, it sold about 1/3 of the copies of this soundtrack. There couldn't have been too many fans who felt "slapped in the face" by this LP or "Blue Hawaii" which even sold more copies than "G.I. Blues". Elvis might have not liked all the songs for this film, but he does an outstanding job and gives the listener a real treat. "Shoppin' Around" and the title song rock (a little softer then his classic 50's hits) and he never sounded better on ballads (Pocketful..., Doin' The Best..., etc). Elvis capped off the fantastic year of 1960 with "His Hand In Mine". Was that an even bigger slap in the face for rock fans? The trouble came in 1964 when Elvis went head to head with the Beatles with the lackluster "Kissin' Cousins" single and LP. The drop-off from the movie music (songs, arrangements, mix and even Elvis performances) from his first 14 films ("Viva Las Vegas" was of course recorded and filmed before KC) compared to the next 12 was drastic and severe. Of course there were still good songs from these films and even reasonable LP's ("Roustabout", "Girl Happy", "Spinout), but the overall professionalism of the recordings was not the same. Plus Elvis didn't record enough studio material to offset the film soundtracks, so the problems were magnified. "G.I. Blues" was not the beggining of the decline, it was affirmation of Elvis Presley, the superstar and further proof he was becoming the finest vocalist in popular music.
Pedro Nuno wrote on November 06, 2012
Alanfalk, you're very right, and I do appreciate, like and love some Presley’s work from 1961 till 1968. The point is that in my opinion he lost his genius, his natural creativity force. Being a piece of the system wasn't always bad (many times it was more than bad…)but he became a prisoner of that same system. He lost his path, and for some moments so did his fans, although had some fantastic and brilliant moments (Little sister, Return to sender, Devil in disguise, and not much for me). But the fact is that Rock and Roll would be returning with names like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Animals, Dave Clark Five, Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Doors, and social conscience was being heard in songs from Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan, and others. Elvis, alone did all that from 1954 till 1958. He was great, a GOD with Elvis is Back, maybe his best work ever. Those first 1960 sessions are ranked among the best musical sessions in Rock History. But he lost it from G.I. Blues on. Except when he made gospel music. Anyway he managed to do something nobody else did: He created such a wide range of music, types, sub types, from Rock, Pop, ballads, silly movie songs, Gospel, Blues, etc. that we are all Elvis fans although each one of us have his won favorite Elvis Presley! Long Live the KING!
Deano1 wrote on November 06, 2012
Pedro, you are revising history. "Elvis Is Back" was not well received by music critics in 1960 (there weren't rock critics at that time). Rock and Rollers like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis had been replaced by Bobby Rydell, Bobby Darin, Dion, Connie Francis, etc. Elvis had to tone down his sound to continue being the top seller and receive radio airplay. He also didn't want to be known as just a rock and roll singer so he turned to ballads and softer rockers. His first LP to receive critical praise is an LP that is considered so-so by a lot of people today "Somthing For Everybody". Elvis had no idea rock and roll would return in force in '64. Heck, even in '63, America was making songs like "Roses Are Red" and "Dominique"(not the Elvis song) #1. The Beatles changed everything and Elvis' first release upon their arrival was one of his poorest and definitely his worst to that date. He did lose his passion in the mid 60's and slowly regained it with the HGTA sessions and finally in full force with the TV Special, but pointing to "G.I. Blues" as the beginning of the decline artistically is not accurate. It was a maturation of Elvis and his artistry.
alanfalk wrote on November 06, 2012
But it is hardly fair to judge him for only changing music history once. As I see it Elvis just had different periods, and in the period that a lot of people criticise him for ,62-67, his focus was on pop/balled/gospel music. In that period he made songs like; Suspicion, Kiss Me Quick, Something Blue, Night Rider, (Such An) Easy Question, I´m Yours, Long Lonely highway, Memphis Tennesse, It Hurts Me, Down In The alley, Tomorrow Is A Long Time, Love Letters, Come What May, Fools Fall In Love, Indescribably Blue, I´ll Remember You, If Every Day Was Like Christmas, Guitar Man, Big Boss Man, Hi-Heel Sneakers, You Don´t Me and movie songs like; King Of The Whole Wide World, Return To Sender,Girls, Girls, Girls, Please Don´t Stop Loving Me, This Is My Heaven, Follow That Dream, Angel, Viva Las Vegas, I Need Somebody To Lean On, Today,Tomorow and Forever, Roustabout, Little Egypt, Long Legged Girl (With The Short Dress On), So Close ,Yet So Far ( From Paradise), Puppet On A String, Girl Happy, One Broken Heart For Sale, They Remind Me Too Much Of You, Bossa Nova Baby, Let Yourself Go, together with the more "artistic" ones; City By Night, Night Life and Animal Instinct, on top of that one Grammy award winning album: How Great Thou Art. Now if we should write of everything after Elvis Is Back, then Something For Everybody, His Hand In Mine, and the soundtrack to G.I.Blues, Blue Hawai, Flaming Star, and Wild In The Country should go !!, In my eyes this is crazy talk . I think that instead of complain over the substandard material Elvis also made, we should be thrilled over all the Great music he gave throughout his ENTIRE career. Sorry for the long list but I got a little carried away.
NONE000000 wrote on November 07, 2012
That is a fantastic cover!
2012wiseman wrote on November 07, 2012
Miss funny, great studio conversations in between takes... or will there be an FTD vol 3 and 4 ...? Ripping us off again ? I have 4 CDs full of Caffè Europe sessions (in full) and enjoy them much more than FTD with this one will ever be able to do ! Where are all those outtakes that are much better than what FTD has released so far ? Don't get it Gurus at FTD!!!
dgirl wrote on November 07, 2012
How much is enough of this stuff? How many times you gonna buy? I will put out a version also. I need the money!
Tony C wrote on November 07, 2012
FTD have said all along that the CD set they issued was the first of two, so I fail to see how anybody can complain about "missing out-takes".
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on November 08, 2012
dgirl,when are you releasing your version?,i gotta have it,please more takes of didja ever!
kink56 wrote on November 10, 2012
Not a fan of GI Blues or Blue Hawaii....though Elvis' performances on these albums are sublime. The early 60s soundtracks sold because the movies acted as music videos to promote the albums, and they had hit singles to boot! (well, except for GI Blues) The studio albums lacked the hit singles to promote them, so they died on the vine. However, GI Blues contains my favorite version of Blue Suede Shoes. SMMOOOOTH.
alanfalk wrote on November 10, 2012
I think you are right King56, about the movies acting as commercial for the soundtracs, but that must also meen that the people who have seen the movies also had heard the music, and liked it, why else buy the album afterwards ? and especially if the had the opportunity to just buy hit singles if that was the only songs the liked. Both Blue Hawai and G.I.Blues were praised when they first were released, Blue Hawai was even nominated for a Grammy, and is the second most succesful album on the US chart in the 60´ spending 20 weeks at the #1 place. You would also think that Elvis is Back would have gotten a lot of attention, as it was his first album after his army stint. I think it is really weird how todays critics and yesterdays buying public disagrees on which albums were the best, at least if you look at their placeing on the charts; Rousteabout, Something for Everybody, G.I.Blues, Blue Hawaii all went to #1 while Elvis is Back, From Elvis in Memphis, and Elvis TV Special didn´t !!
marty wrote on November 10, 2012
There is no doubt the movies helped sell the albums. At the same time a lot of artists were releasing soundtrack recording and very few came even close to the success of 'Blue Hawaii' or 'G.I. Blues'. This shows that the general public appreciated both the movies and the music. After more than 50 years the soundtracks sound more dated while albums like 'Elvis is Back' maintain much of their original appeal. Things change with time; Elvis' 70's recordings seem to get more attention in this forum than his 50's recordings. If you look at the sales, the chart positions etc. there is no doubt the 50's recordings were much more successful, however fans seem to like the more recent recordings probably because they sound more 'current'. My view is that the soundtracks are a part of Elvis' history and most of them include some classic recording like ‘G.I. Blues - Wooden Heart’, ‘Blue Hawaii - Can’t Help Falling In Love’ etc. I prefer his studio recordings though…
Jerome wrote on November 12, 2012
Well, they are doing the best they can...
Rejane wrote on November 16, 2012
I said I would add this one to my collction-that was before I saw the price ($45.00 -plus shipping -natch), I'm starting to feel blood draining from my wallet! The ony way they can justifying charging so much must be from making very small quantities of this item. Dynamite cover, looks like great additional photos, can I justify the cost? Mm? Don't think so, I even own a 4 disc set of GI Blues bought late last year I think. Love this soundtrack but you know if I bought all of this years FTD releases I would be out over $700.00, they need to scale way back on these released for 2013! To much product has Elvis competing with Elvis!
Deano1 wrote on November 20, 2012
Rejane...I agree the cost of being an Elvis fan has really escalted in recent years. Between FTD's, sony legacy, alternate labels, etc. it really keeps your head spinning if you are a frugal Elvis fan.