When Follow That Dream Records started their series of classic albums in 2003 "Harum Scarum" was one of the first editions. Not because the album was all that great, but because it had not been available on compact disc outside of the "Double Features" series by BMG. In those early days of the collector's label the classic album releases were already presented in a 7" digipak and including a booklet, but there was only one compact disc. Later two discs became the norm. The cover of the booklet presents the photo, that RCA used on the album sleeve. But this time the picture was printed the correct way. This release is only available in physical form, because FTD refuses to distribute their products digitally.

The tracks of the original album were remastered, but not remixed. Therefore they sounded as bad as before, just minus the tape hiss and other distortions. The outtakes had to be mixed and as a result they sounded much fresher and more vital than the known recordings. At the time this version of "Harum Scarum" was the best sounding source of the tracks, later the audio quality was improved when the boxed sets "The Complete Elvis Presley Masters" (2010) and "The RCA Album Collection" came along.

In this review I will only deal with the material not featured on RCA Victor's original "Harum Scarum" album. If you want to read a review of the long player, just tap HERE.

This one is already close to the master. At the end Elvis changes the lyrics and sings "my desert horse, the one I rode in on".

The first take is nothing but a short, false start. The second attempt is a complete performance, but Elvis sings it quite different to the released version. At the end he has to laugh. Maybe about the song?

Take 7 is a false start. On the 8th take Elvis forgets the lyrics, sings "what tambourine?" and finally gets tangled up in the words completely.

After a false start Elvis and he crew get the song going. The arrangement is more sparse, which I like better.

The first attempt fails after a few seconds, the following walkthrough works quite well. Here and there Elvis emphasizes some words different to the released version.

Elvis sings in a higher key and has trouble to emphasize the lyrics. After 1.5 minutes he finally gives up. Take 3 works better, but is also canceled after a minute or so. By now the king has figured out how to handle the song and manages to sing it completely.

"There's a couple of places I can't find it...but I'm looking" says Elvis. Afterwards we hear him yawn. On the first walkthrough the king seems to be in a hurry and sings a tad too fast.

On the 10th take Elvis has to laugh out loud because he sang "teeny feet" instead of "tiny feet". Take number 16 is a complete performance and works well.

Elvis requests "Pick it up, just a little bit". Then he presents a dynamic third take of the song. He emphasizes some words different to the master.

Before the official take begins Elvis sings a part of Bobby Darin's "More". Take 2 is just a false start, the following attempt is a complete performance. The king still sounds very insecure.

Take 7 is nothing but the intro. Take 8 is complete, but Elvis obviously has trouble with the timing and his phrasing.

On the first take Elvis comes in too late, but the recording is continued until he gets completely lost. The second try doesn't start much better, once again Elvis fails to come in the way he should. Like before the procedure is continued. This time the king manages to produce a complete performance, albeit he sounds quite reserved.

"Maybe a little faster" suggests the king. In fact "Wisdom Of The Ages" is taken at a faster tempo than the released version. I guess in the end Elvis preferred a slower performance. Even though it's an early take it works very well.

The musicians fail on the intro two times, then Elvis misses his cue. Take 21 is a complete performance, but it's not perfect yet. At the end we can hear the king say "One more time!".