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Mexico (takes 6 & 7)

From take six onwards Elvis also sings the part of Larry Domasin, which whom he performs the song in the movie. The session ends with take number seven, which is another complete rendition.

Mexico (instrumental: takes 1-3)

The first two takes are just short false starts, the third one is complete. The band doesn't play the complete song, just the rhythmical part which lasts for about 50 seconds.

The Bullfighter Was A Lady (takes 1-9 & spliced master)

After the harmony singers have shouted their "Ole" Elvis misses his cue. The second take is cut off after the king has turned the line "...he wanted to date her that night" into a more realistic "...he wanted to fuck her that night". Take 3 finally is a complete performance, albeit Elvis has to laugh in-between. Bevor the session is continued, the group rehearses the finale. The next two attempts are just false starts, because Elvis jokes about the "Ole" shouts of the harmony singers. He turns the word into "Ol' lay" (as a synonymous for sex) and says "Someone get that ol' lay out of the way, I can't make it. I had her years ago!". However, the following two takes are complete performances. The next attempt starts with a mistake, but the second try works well. After another complete performance (take 9) the group moves on to the next movie tune. Follow That Dream Records ends the session for this song with the master, which is a splice of the takes 9 and 7.

Marguerita (takes 1-8)

Take number one works very well, but the choir messes up the finale. The second try is nothing more than a few bars of the intro, the 3rd attempt is killed off by the producer after a minute or so. The trumpet players fail to play the intro, so take 4 is a short affair. The next try works better, but close to the finale Elvis isn't satisfied with what he hears and finishes his performance. Take number six finally turns out to be the first comlete rendition of "Marguerita". However, the finale wasn't according to the singers taste. He also kills off the next attempt by saying "Too fast, too fast, this is way too fast". Now it really works fast, but in the positive sense of the word. Take number eight isn't just the second complete performance, but also good enough to be released.

Vino, Dinero Y Amor (takes 1-5)

While the recording of "Marguerita" has been a troublesome affair, "Vino, Dinero Y Amor" doesn't challenge anyone. Take 1 is a complete performance, albeit Elvis phrases the lyrics vastly different than on the master. I don't know if it was his own idea or if he was copying the demo, but the final interpretation is much better. Take 2 is no more than a few words, then the band starts to play the song again. The 3rd attempt already sounds very close to the master, there are just very few minor glitches to be ironed out. Elvis says "Let's do another one" and delivers another complete, satisfactory take. The next try proves, that nothing can be added and so it's decided to go with take 5.

Yino, Dinero Y Amor (The Amigos: Cafe' Version, takes 1-4)

In the movie The Amigos perform two solo renditions of "Vino, Dinero Y Amor". They don't just differ to Presley's rendition due to the Spanish lyrics, but also because of a different arrangement. All takes are complete performances, the 4th one is chosen as master.

Vino, Dinero Y Amor (The Amigos: Boat Version, takes 1-3)

The second performance by The Amigos also sounds a bit different and is supposed to give a somewhat amateurish impression. After two false starts, the group records a satisfactory version.

(There's) No Room To Rumba In A Sports Car (take 1)

Obviously Elvis doesn't want to spent much time and effort on this simple and somewhat dumb tune. The first try is a complete performance and he is happy to move on.

Fun In Acapulco (take 1)

For all intents and purposes the title song of the movie is much better than "(There's) No Room To Rumba In A Sports Car". But after the first take already sounds great, Elvis decides to approve it for release.

El Torro (takes 1-2 & spliced master)

The dramatic story about a bull (brainlessly named "El Torro") is also told without much effort. Take 1 isn't just a complete rendition, but also a good one. The second attempt runs for just a minute and obviously was simply produced to improve the beginning of the performance. And so the master is a splice of take 2 (the first 37 seconds of the song) and take 1 (everything else).

I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here (takes 11-19)

After having taped the record version of the tune, Elvis turned his attention to other songs. But he still has to produce the movie version and so he finally returns to "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here". The producer doesn't label it with a separate matrix number, but simply continues to count the takes. The first two of them are nothing but short false starts, number 13 is a complete performance. Now Elvis rehearses his part, then he starts another attempt. After a while he stops his performance, because he thinks the drummer got out of step. Take 15 is another complete presentation and certainly could have been used in the movie. Now the group discusses the tempo, but take number 16 is laid to rest after the choir fails on the intro. The next attempt is stopped after Elvis sang the first line. Take 18 turns out to be another complete performance, which is considered to be fine for the use in the movie. But the king asks for "one more" and so another take is put on tape. Now Elvis also realizes, that he cannot improve his performance and moves on to the next song.

 

 (C) Follow That Dream Records / Sony Music Entertainment