What is FTD?

Follow That Dream Records (FTD) are an exciting music label introduced in 1998 as an official record label, namely RCA/SONY/BMG, authorised by EPE in the release of official CD releases of rare, often sensitive but unique albums, previously unreleased, or only partialy. Burbank 68 saw the first release under the FTD Label with previously unreleased material from the 1968 Special. Nine years later, and after sixty one releases, FTD have brought us gem like material, previously unheard. From outtakes in recording sessions, remastered albums with additional inclusions then previous, to the unheard concerts, previously only available on the less qualitative bootlegs. They are released throughout the year and are typically available through reputable fanclubs, EPE or select online retailers. Scroll down to see the full FTD Release Catalogue to date.   

Next review...#4/07, Elvis: Let Yourself Go!

Review #3/07 of the past release under the Follow That Dream (FTD) Label, Closing Night. Released 2004 by FTD/RCA/BMG.

I think I may have been somewhat ambitious to choose a difficult FTD release to review on my third outing. To a serious collector, personally, I think this release is more pertinent to the notice often included on FTD releases stating "Priority Given To Historic Content". This was another unheard live performance from the 1970's after all, previously unheard. General fans may be somewhat disappointed on performance quality, while sceptics having content to fuel such stereotypical views of Elvis during those sometimes "poorer" performances in the Vegas years. On the other hand, myself, as a serious fan, listening and receiving its content for what it is. Unique as always to that show when experienced live.

As an often favoured fan of anything 70's, I as always, welcome any live FTD concert recording. Another one to experience and relive, brought back from the shelved master tapes, or professional remasterings of the soundboard recordings. On pre-ordering this release, my excitement gathering as it was a live show from the evening and midnight shows of September 3rd 1973, at the Las Vegas Hilton. It was a rare release from the 1973 touring schedule and close to the brilliance heard from Aloha releases. My curiosity being drawn to the Suspicious Minds/Bridge Over Troubled Water listing. Was it a remix by Elvis? On receipt and without delay, it was immediately in my machine.   

I cannot say I was disappointed of the contents of this release. Typical inclusions of the time include the usual See See Rider and I Got A Women, however, we get to hear some new inclusions of the concert itineraries, many from the Aloha listing. Namely, Steamroller Blues, What Now My Love, and What Now My Love. Though considerably new to the concert listing are TROUBLE, My Boy, How Great Thou Art. Return songs of Suspicious Minds, American Trilogy and I Cant Stop Loving You, always being in demand. I could not help but skip forward to hear The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Help Me make It Through The Night, as then, rarities of their time.

I think the release is important and rightly records Elvis at that time in his career which is often unspoken or undocumented. Elvis over working, performing two, often three shows a day, which is unheard of today. However, by no means, is it representative nor qualitative to previous concerts as the Aloha material or That's The Way It Was. In comparison to the Aloha concert only eight months previous, it is totally different. We get to experience a tired, if not exhausted Elvis, appearing somewhat disorientated with songs being mixed up, words being sung wrong and slurring of speech. Elvis seems to be burnt out, maybe should not have been performing, but still pleasing the crowd. We learn of his recent presentation by the Hilton Hotel of a new pendent. We hear of his dissatisfaction of the sound systems in the hotel during I Got A Women.  But we also see the genuine down to earth man that he was, concerned of the hotels Italian waiter, Mario's, dismissal and his wake up call to Conrad and tell him about Mario's job.

The song listings are again typical of the later 70's recordings, with the inclusion and mention of a number of titles from the recent Aloha itinerary. Elvis is tired and not himself. His speech is incoherent, slurred and rambling. We also see his expression to the audience as not before. Although courteous, he does however have offensive remarks. Such include the introduction of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and how he hopes the audience like it saying not that it's gonna a difference. We also hear him tell the fans that he's handling the "dam" show as they shout out requests.

His appreciation his bands work however, not faulting. We hear his praising of Jimmy Muliner's playing of the flute in American Trilogy 144 times and never missing it once and his trumpet players splitting of lips. Other inclusions on this album include the beautiful song, How Great Thou Art and I'm Leavin'. Typical inclusions of the time, All Shock Up and Hound Dog.

Upon hearing this album, I was a little surprised at FTD's decision to release it. Elvis' state of life at the time, being open to scepticism, with poor attempts and songs and basically the often talked about dark side of Elvis, a far cry from his image of 1968 and 1973. But on consideration of this, its release being obvious. FTD being solely there to produce official rarities, sometimes questionable, but in honouring the desire of fans for new material. We have all heard this type of Elvis on those bootleg recordings, often sounding worse. This being an official release, what FTD want us to be listening to, as opposed to black market releases. It would be unfair to create an Elvis catalogue portfolio of qualitative recordings, in combating the black market of releases, but failing to acknowledge this period in Elvis' career. This release is definitely one to add to the collection of serious fans. However, if you are one that thinks Elvis declined post the Aloha concert through to the later Vegas period of Elvis, then I would suggest you savour the memories from pre 1973.