Five years after the release of the book/cd combo "King Creole - The Music" in 2010 Follow That Dream Records gave the soundtrack their regular collector's edition treatment. It was a set of two compact discs, housed in a 7" digipak. Of course the package also included a well designed, informative booklet. The first disc contains the original album, the songs "Danny" and "Steadfast, Loyal And True" as well as Thorne Nogar's mono mixes. The second disc is filled with demos. This is pretty nice, because it enables us to compare the original suggestions to what Elvis made of them. The recordings were mastered by Sebastian Jeansson (disc 1) and Jan Eliasson (disc 2). Because Follow That Dream Records sticks to the deserted cd-format, the release cannot be found on the streaming platforms.

In this review I will focus on the tracks, that cannot be found on the original album. If you want to read about the "King Creole" release of 1958, just tap HERE.

The song was written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, Elvis recorded it on February 11, 1958 at the Paramount Sound Stage. After the track was rejected for the movie, it was filed away. Even though the song isn't bad, not even CAMDEN used it on one of their budget albums. The first release was in 1978 on the album "Elvis - A Legendary Performer Volume 3".

Here FTD presents the original mono mixes, that Thorne Nogar created parallel to the binaural recordings. At the time RCA tried out the latest technology and recorded the sessions on two tracks (binaural) instead of the regular single track (mono). Because very few music enthusiasts (and certainly not a single teenager) owned the new and expensive equipment, the recordings had to be mixed down to mono. In the end RCA created new mix downs and didn't use the ones, the engineer had made on the spot during the sessions. But only these original mono mixes represent the music, as it was recorded back then (with count-ins, longer running times, etc). So it's very interesting to be able to listen to them.

Elvis recorded the song on February 11, 1958 at the Paramount Sound Stage.

Here the king doesn't sing the second verse, but repeates the first one.

The arrangement differs to Elvis' version. After his demise an alternate take was released, which is closer to the demo. The unknown singer does not perform as good as the rock'n'roll king. Elvis and his crew obviously improved "King Creole" a lot.

The same applies to "Trouble". The demo sounds more like r&b and the unknown singer doesn't perform the song as aggressive as Elvis. The change in tempo obviously wasn't intended by the writer, because it's missing here.

Elvis rejected the song for "King Creole", but recorded it later for his comeback album. He copied the arrangement, but didn't perform in rockabilly style like the unknown singer does here.

The intro is different and the song is taken at a slower tempo. But Elvis copied the vocalising of the unknown singer.

Here we have one of the few demos, where the singer is known. "Hard Headed Woman" was sung by Jimmy Breedlove, who does a good job. The arrangement is in honkey tonk style, especially because of the piano. Elvis turned the song into rock'n'roll and performed it with more aggression.

Elvis' version is faster, but apart from the tempo he more or less copied the demo. The singer is unknown.

The demo is designed as a duet, too. Once again we don't know, who the man and the lady is, who perform the song on the demonstration record. The arrangement was copied by Elvis, the song was just played a tad slower.

The unknown singer emphasizes certain words differently, Elvis' version has a better flow. In general I also like this demo, I'd even say it easily could have been released as a regular record.

Elvis more or less copied the demo. The singer is unknown, but it could be the same person, that sings "As Long As I Have You".

This demo was recorded by Jimmy Breedlove. Elvis once again didn't change all that much. FTD had previously released this recording and the demo of "Hard Headed Woman" on the compact disc, that accompanied the book "Writing For The King".

Considering that this is just a demonstration record, the production is quite elaborate and includes a full band and a choir (the lead vocalist is unknown). Elvis was just accompanied by a guitar, for the album harmony vocals were added, too. In general the recording of the king sounds more simple.

Elvis sang the song a bit faster and the finale was worked out better. Otherwise the king's recording was more or less a copy of the demo. It's not known, who was contracted to record this demonstration.

The demo recording includes more instruments and the rhythm is emphasized stronger. The singer is unknown. The sparse arrangement and the slower tempo of Elvis' version add emotion and depth. Threrefore the king really imporved the song.

The song is performed by Blanche Thomas. In the movie "Turtles, Berries, Gumbo" leads to an instrumental version of "King Creole". The writers are Al Wood and Kay Twomey, who also co-wrote "Wooden Heart" and "Put The Blame On Me".

In the movie the tune was sung by Forty Nina (Liliane Montevecci). The writers are Sid Tepper and Roy Bennett.