"Double Trouble" was one of the first classic album releases of FTD. Compared to the previous outings it sounded much better, but nevertheless Lene Reidel's work cannot compete with Vic Anesini's mastering in later years. It's striking that the outtakes sound much better than the masters. The reason is, that the producers (Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon) insisted on releasing the masters in their original form. Therefore the aweful mix could not be changed. The outtakes, however, had to be mixed before they could be released and as a result Elvis' voice isn't so pungent in the front and everything sounds much brighter.

Follow That Dream Records presented "Double Trouble" as a single cd, housed in a 5" digi-pak and accompanied by a well designed and informative booklet. Of course streaming wasn't an issue back in 2004, but even now the label doesn't manage to distribute their products in a modern way.

As usual I will focus on the tracks not included on the original album. For a review of the RCA release tap HERE.

The first attempt is taken at a slower tempo and the band plays certain parts different to the master. At the end Elvis calls out in high voice "Let me listen to that one".

We get to hear some studio talk, then the engineer does the count-in. Elvis and his crew play this one slower, too. I like it much better that way, because the song doesn't appear as rushed as the master.

Elvis and his musicians coordinate what to do, there are also some rehearsals. The song obviously wasn't a challenge to anybody, because take 1 already sounds close to the master. After the next try the track was in the can.

The pianist is rehearsing his part, there is also some studio talk. The first take is canceled after Elvis gets muddled, the second attempt works well. The king still sounds a bit reserved.

We hear some laughter and talking, in the background some musicians are practicing. On the first take Elvis soon gets muddled, but The Jordanaires continue even though it's obvious that the recording is worthless. Before the tape continues with take 2 we hear a few bars of the backing track to "Old MacDonald" which was recorded over by the engineer. The second attempt already sounds close to the master.

This is the master take before Elvis' harmony vocals were added. To me the ballad sounds much better that way.

Elvis sounds much more relaxed than on the master. It's certainly not the best song and at one point the king even stops singing, but somehow this one is the highlight of this compilation.

Compared to the master the tempo is slower. To me the song sounds better this way.

Here we get a combination of the master music track (take 3) and Elvis' vocal track (take 10). Obviously this was an experiment, because the music track was speeded up. Elvis seems to have some troubles to perform "City By Night" that way and the result doesn't sound too convincing.

The song is played in a slower tempo and the arrangement is also different to the master. Elvis hasn't warmed up with "It Won't Be Long" yet and doesn't deliver a good performance.

Take 2 is not much more than a few bars, the thrid attempt sounds already close to the master. In the end the performance breaks down and Elvis comments "Lord, have mercy".

On the third take Elvis gets muddled in the words and stops the performance. The next attempt works quite well and is already close to the master take. However, the king fails on the elvis ending (it's really called that way).

The compilation ends with Elvis' later recorded harmony voice. Because all other information (music and lead vocals) are missing, the king's singing sounds somewhat off-key. It's certainly interesting to hear, but nothing to enjoy.