The collector's edition of "Elvis' Golden Records" was released by FTD in 2015. Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon (the producers of the FTD releases) didn't use the old remasters from the 2000s, but had Sebastian Jeansson rework the tracks. Even though there was not much material available, Follow That Dream Records filled two discs. As usual they are housed in a 7" digipak and are accompanied by a booklet. Unfortunately it's also usual for FTD to stick to compact discs and vinyl and do without digital releases.

Due to a lack of outtakes the first cd is filled with the tracks of the original album and other songs, that could have been used on "Elvis' Golden Records", too. Besides that, some of the songs are presented in their binaural version. The outtakes were also recorded in binaural. Back in the late 1950s the labels were experimenting with multi track recordings. One of the ideas was binaural and some of the Presley sessions were taped that way, too. These versions were not meant for release, it was just to feed the engineers with material for their tests and experiments.

In this review I won't describe the masters, that are available on the original album and other RCA releases of the time. I also do without the binaural versions. For a review of "Elvis' Golden Records" just tap HERE.

The first take is a false start, because the pianist fails on the intro. The second attempt is a complete performance. It's taken at a slower tempo, Elvis sounds somewhat nasal and the band also has trouble here and there. Take number three is also complete, this time the piano player experiments a bit and the tempo is faster. The next try is nothing but the intro. During the 5th take Elvis has to refrain from laughing, it's finally canceled after the band makes a timing mistake. After some false starts, take number 7 is a complete performance again. Now everything works well, there are just a few details to be corrected. The 8th attempt is an improvement, the following one would be selected for release.

On the first walkthrough Elvis sounds pressed and misses several notes. The harmony singers also have not figured out their part yet. Between the takes The Jordanaires rehearse a bit. Elvis gives a more secure impression, but when his voice cracks he has to restrain his laughter. The takes number 4 and 5 are nothing but false starts, number 6 is a complete performance again. The 7th attempt fails at the bridge. Elvis gets lost in the lyrics and sings "when you find your sweetheart...shit". Take 8 is a few bars of the intro, the 9th walkthrough is canceled because the king has to laugh. Take number 10 fails, because Elvis has a frog on his throat, the 11th one is stoped by Elvis by saying "shit". The 12th try is nothing but a few bars of the intro, take number 13 breaks down in mid-song. Finally Steve Sholes created the master by splicing parts of the takes 7 and 14.

The first take breaks down after 45 seconds. Elvis laughs and says "Shit, I can't read this sonofabitch right". Take 2 is a complete performance, the third one is taken at a slower pace and canceled in mid-song. The king and his crew discuss the track and start again. But now he sings a bit too soft and quits after half a minute. After a false start, the 6th walkthrough is almost complete. Shortly before the song actually ends, Elvis cancels the take and wants to hear the recording. Take number 7 is a complete performance, but somehow the group runs out of steam. The next attempts are nothing but false starts. Number 13 is a lucky one and another complete performance is caught on tape. Unfortunately Elvis and his band are not sure whether to repeat the ending once more or not, so the 14th take is another incomplete performance. Finally everything works well and take number 15 can be approved for release.

Here we get the first session of "I Beg Of You". Because Elvis didn't like the result, he later recorded the song again. The arrangement emphasizes the rhythm and is taken at a slower tempo. Several times the king has to laugh. In total it's more a rehearsal than a serious attempt of recording. After several false starts, the 5th walkthrough is another complete performance. But it's a rocky one. Elvis harrumphs in exaggerated style, before the next take is started. Another false start (this time not regarded to be a separate take) is followed by a complete performance. We hear some studio talk and jokes. The tempo is slower, but the song doesn't work that way and Elvis cancels the attempt by singing "O no no no no". Several false starts follow, jokingly the king intones "Peace In The Valley". The takes number 11 and 12 are both complete performances, the latter one would be selected as master.