They launched their CD after we finished our "Elvis: The New Recordings," based on the timetable they have publicly acknowledged. Coincidence? If this had been an original idea on their part, why didn't they have their project ready to go for EP's 80th birthday anniversary in January like we did?
It doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to see what happened here. Sony had ignored Jim Reeves until they saw "I'm A Hit Again" doing so well and going to #1 in the EU a few years ago (a VoiceMasters/H&H release), and then they rushed into the marketplace with a rehash of old JR tunes that also went to #1.
And after 38 years Priscilla has suddenly become a fan of overdubs! I wonder if she will be touring the world to promote our release?
I'm happy to see Elvis #1, but fans should realize Sony cynically manipulated them by championing "let's make him #1 again...it will only cost you $10!" They are even running contests to induce sales in Australia, for instance, which certainly doesn't connote a lot of faith in their product. Maybe they should take a page from Patsy Cline's label and offer a refrigerator magnet like they did on Patsy as an inducement to get people to buy a CD!
There are parts of the new Sony release which sound good...but just wait a few bars and it'll go over the top. The clown that is appearing in a documentary about the project, who claims he thought of the idea of overdubbing Elvis, brags about how great the orchestrations are. Actually, they are dreadful in many respects, with overly fanciful frills that show off the musicians and detract from the vocal.
Speaking of which, they've managed to actually make Elvis sound bad on some tracks with a tinny, raspy sound and their strings are shrill.
This is not a case of sour grapes. I've discussed this with numerous musicians, engineers and label people in the music industry, and nobody can figure out how this new Sony CD could be as bad as it is. Priscilla claims Elvis' voice is so crystal clear, but she's also telling people he was a "germaphobe" who was so afraid of germs he would drink out of a coffee cup by turning it around to place his lips on the part where the handle connects to the cup.
I think she's confusing her ex-husband -- you know, the one she left -- with her late ex-son-in-law, Michael Jackson, who WAS a germaphobe and even work a surgical mask when he went out in public. Have you never seen Elvis kissing female fans on the lips before, during and after concerts? There is even video of him accepting a drink from a fan in the audience and sipping from it to cool off!
Where does Mrs. P come up with these stories anyway? They are BIZARRE.
She is no Mary Reeves, and I am not aware of her playing a hands-on role in a lot of Elvis's posthumous releases. Now all of a sudden she wants to do more overdubs and says it's vital to preserving his legacy.
All very amusing...
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