The second set of previously deleted soundtracks albums was re-released on the Follow That Dream label as part of the label’s program to keep Elvis catalogue available for fans. Last and least of this bunch is "Harum Scarum".
Design
The format for these movie re-releases is exactly the same as the previous releases, so nothing new here, and again we compliment Ernst and his team on the beautiful job they did on this package. For those not familiar with the previous releases, this is what you get:
1) 7” format cover (like a single or EP)
2) Original back and front cover
3) 3 panel Gatefold sleeve
4) 8 page booklet with photos and memorabilia
5) Original album with original album EQ
6) Additionally all previously released outtakes (if space permits)
7) Additionally previously unreleased outtakes (if available and space permits)
Content
What can we say? The soundtrack of this movie is as listenable as the movie is watchable. It is a neck to neck race for the worst (Elvis) movie with "Easy Come, Easy Go." But at least the latter has some decent (song) performances in it. Even "Kismet" and "So Close, Yet So Far", that could have been a beautiful ballad, sound boring. The fact that this soundtrack was recorded in Studio B instead of Hollywood could not bring it to a higher level. The only purpose of this soundtrack we can think of is as an opiate.
Conclusion
To us this is nothing more than a cabinet filler. It is a shame The Colonel "made" Elvis ever recording it. Hopefully this is the definitive "Harum Scarum" release we bought.
Harum Scarum (FTD Edition)
December 01, 2003 | Music
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CD King wrote on
December 02, 2003
I am sorry but I cannot agree with the above boring Review! I think this Harum Scarum FTD Soundtrack is the most exciting release to date. All the songs are superb especially Shake That Tamnbourine, Kismet, Hey Little Girls, Mirage etc etc Dids you know that Animal Instinct released as a single backed with Harem Holiday was a Number One Hit for Elvis in Thailand in 1966? And the new unreleased outtake -alternate takes of Harem Holiday on this FTD set is just so superb, different and so much more exciting! Two Thumbs Up for this CD * * * * *
CD King wrote on
December 02, 2003
I've always enjoyed the Elvis Soundtrack songs. You are right Albert - they are entertaining, melodious & are wonderful songs! and I hope the Review above will not deter anyone from buying the HARUM SCARUM FTD Soundtrack album. I forgot to mention WISDOM OF THE AGES and GO EAST YOUNG MAN are also both very lovely. Harum Scarum is a fine album -- sadly the same cannot be said of the movie!
CD King wrote on
December 13, 2003
Animal Instinct was on the Malaysia 35mm Print of Harum Scarum shown in Cinemas in1965-66. Elvis sang this to Fran Jeffries in font of the tent in the desert - before she poisons him. (Elvis did not sang this in a car ??- you must have mistaken it for No Rhumba In A Sports Car from Fun In Acapulco) Wisdom Of The Ages was never in the movie, at least not in the Malaysian version.
bajo wrote on
December 05, 2003
I'd like to use some of my comments on the FRANKIE AND JOHNNY FTD release, for this one also! Ernst stuck to the original album mix on this one too! The previous DF release is sounding so much better. But, the outtakes overall have much better sound quality! So, as I did with FRANKIE AND JOHNNY, I use the DF mixes of the original album and add the outtakes from the FTD release to make my own CDRW. In addition I added the COLLECTOR'S GOLD version of SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR.
RTiger wrote on
December 01, 2003
Harum Scarum: For me the most exciting FTD reissue. A Great song such as "Wisdom of the ages" should have been a number one hit.Shake that tambourine, Animal instinct and Hey little girl are some of my favorites. I'm waiting for "Paradise Hawaiian Style", "Spinout" and "Double Trouble" as this movie soundtracks are some one of my prefered! Prauthoy (France)
Jeoliverm wrote on
December 01, 2003
I do not agree with you. I think that in this movie soundtrack there are a fistful of little treasures: My desert serenade is nothing less than pure fun; Mirage, Kismet, So close... and Golden Coins are beautiful ballads, at leat to my ears. Oh, yeah! you may say I'm deaf but there's no accounts to taste. Happy Xmas and New Year to everyone.
You Dont Know Me wrote on
December 02, 2003
I also must 100% disagree with the above 'review' This to me has been an even MORE exciting soundtrack than 'Girl Happy' and all tracks sound 'brilliant' creating that beautiful dreamy middle eastern musical feeling with much better sounds/songs than expected too! This FTD release is worth getting for the hilarious take 10 of 'shake that Tambourine!' also the art-work is VERY nicely produced as well as some (new information to me) about songs submitted for the movie, all in all my Fav FTD movie soundtrack released so far-EXCELLENT!
dismas wrote on
December 02, 2003
I have to admit that this movie/soundtrack combo was never one of my favorites. I saw the movie at age 14 with some of my non-Elvis fan friends, and I remember feeling kind of embarrassed by the whole thing. That said, I'm really surprised to be writing that I'm actually enjoying this new FTD release. Maybe I should have revisited this s/t years ago; I suppose it's just that my adult ears find these generally non-rocking tunes much more appealing than my teen ears did back in '65. Guess I'll have to check out the movie again, too. To fans in general I'd say please don't judge this material by its poor reputation or by negative memories from your youth; instead, give it a fresh shot. You just might be surprised -- pleasantly.
Marco Aurelio wrote on
December 06, 2003
What a great soundtrack. I agree with RTiger. WISDOM OF THE AGES, should have been a #1. All the songs are excellent. Hey Little Girl, Animal Instinct (It would be a great remix, in my opinion), Go East Young Man, So Close, Yet So Far (FANTASTIC!!!) and many others are great. I will not comment the bad reactions. For those who are reading this reaction, and think Harum Scarum is not good, in my opinion you are not real Elvis´ fan. There are some bad reactions bellow. I haven´t read until the end, only the good ones. Congratulations FTD for this release and to ELVIS NEWS too, to give us an opportunity to write what we think.
VanGogh wrote on
December 06, 2003
Harum Scarum has always been my least favorite Elvis movie, but one of the most enjoyable albums. Overall, it is one of the most pleasant albums with no really bad or embarrassing tracks. Think about it--almost every other Elvis soundtrack has at least one song that you HAVE to skip over, especially if other people are around. And I mean even some of his best most popular soundtracks: "Ito Eats," "The Song of Shrimp," "No Room to Rhumba in a Sports Car," "Old MacDonald," "Do The Clam".....well, I kinda like "Do The Clam", but you know what I mean. It's hard to pick an Elvis movie without one really bad song, and this may not have a real brilliant standout track, but it's consistantly fun and enjoyable. And actually, I think "Wisdom of the Ages" (which reminds me slightly of "I'll Remember You) is truly a great song, as is "So Close, Yet So Far." The one I am waiting for is "Double Trouble," strictly for the song "City By Night." I hope there are some outtakes of it. I put that on a CD with some Sinatra, Dean Martin, Harry Connick Jr, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin and Billie Holiday and when I play it for people, they are blown away that Elvis is singing. That song is a revelation for people who think they know Elvis music based only on "Burning Love" and "Hound Dog"
jaap van der leij wrote on
December 04, 2003
oke it is not a strong soundtrack (and Movie) but.The problem is that everything is recorded in a few days.had it more time i think that it could be a better product.Now they released this ftdcd And almost nobody like the album. Why not?.Yes some tracks are bad.Oke back to the ftd release.There are many outtakes but it seems so poor.
And indeed that's the problem.But when they release the movie on dvd with the outtakes from harum scarum??
sugartummy wrote on
April 11, 2013
Harem holiday should've been the single with Mirage as the B-side. In India they always loved Presley movies, especially this one. Too bad Elvis never knew.