TCBCast 167: A Young Elvis Fan's Perspective
TCBCast: An Unofficial Elvis Presley Fan Podcast
Release Date: 05/26/2021
TCBCast: An Unofficial Elvis Presley Fan Podcast
Across this episode and the next, Justin and Bec are taking an extensive look at Elvis' home recordings made during his time in the US Army while serving in Germany. Though none of them surfaced until after his death, as we learned from "The Colonel & The King" last year, Elvis was explicitly encouraged by his manager to record material at home in secret. Excerpts from the tapes have appeared on such releases as A Legendary Performer Vol. 4, A Golden Celebration, Home Recordings, and Memphis Recording Services' "Made in Germany" - and by sheer coincidence, on the day we recorded the...
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This week, we're heading down to New Orleans circa 1958 to revisit the soundtrack and recording sessions for the iconic musical drama "King Creole." The Dixieland aesthetic gave Elvis an opportunity experiment, melding his now-signature rock and roll style with a small jazz ensemble, creating a soundtrack LP that had a distinct sound all its own. Although few outtakes remain, the songwriter demos for nearly the entire soundtrack provide insight on how Elvis and the band further developed such classic songs as "Trouble," "Hard Headed Woman" and "Crawfish" into the final forms heard in the film....
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Gurdip & Justin decided for this week's episode to select 10 songs apiece that Elvis was the first artist to record and release commercially and discuss why they're our favorites and what about them showcases Elvis' capabilities as an interpreter and recording artist. Naturally, Gurdip's list skews heavily toward the 1950s and early 1960s with a mix of hits like "Jailhouse Rock" and "I Got Stung" but a few surprises. Justin's list spans the breadth of Elvis' career, from "Heartbreak Hotel" to "It's Easy for You," the last song on Elvis' final album, Moody Blue. We hope you...
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This week, Justin and Bec put on their dancing shoes and boogie back to the week of June 5, 1976 (just a hair under 50 years ago) to see what was happening in the world of American music and where Elvis' latest single "Hurt/For the Heart" ranked on the pop, easy listening and rock charts, before delving into what surrounded "Hurt" as it reached its highest peak at #6 on the Country chart - and RCA's Elvis compilation "Sun Sessions" was nearing the top of the country LP chart, too! What they're surprised to find is not only a popular culture swept up in both disco and 1950s nostalgia, but a...
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Gurdip joins Justin to catch up on the latest Elvis news, read some listener feedback and hold a debate: if the guys were forced to select between only Elvis' Golden Records Volume 1 or Volume 3 on vinyl to give to a new fan, which would they recommend? Each makes a case for one of them. Volume 1, released in 1958, of course features many of Elvis' most iconic hits from 1956-1957 including signature songs like "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock" and "All Shook Up" - but it is as good of an album as 1963's "Volume 3" which includes many of Elvis' masterfully sung singles after his return from the...
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Justin is joined in this episode by Helene de Roux, writer and director of "Welcoming Grace," a new short film made to promote ZEISS's Aatma camera lenses, but featuring a narrative built around two Elvis fans meeting for the first time in real life and forming a bond despite many differences and minor obstacles. Helene is a fellow listener and patron of TCBCast, you'll have heard her words before on the show as she's written in a few times, but now you'll get to hear her voice as they geek out about Elvis and filmmaking. She even plays a round of Elvis trivia! It's highly recommended that you...
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Olivia joins Justin this week for a Song of the Week special as they deep-dive the stories behind two of their favorite Elvis songs. Olivia's up first, examining Elvis' exellent 1970 cover of Anne Murray's classic country hit "Snowbird" and the tragic story of its songwriter, Gene MacLellan. Then, Justin saddles up and goes tilting at windmills in an attempt to explore the fascinating history behind "The Quest/The Impossible Dream" from the Broadway musical "Man of La Mancha," which Elvis is most known for having have performed in 1972 at Madison Square Garden, but is also unique in...
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Bec and John pitched Justin on the idea of assigning them ANY album from across Elvis's entire discography, from any time or country, and the two of them would have to try to make the case that their pick is better than the other's, even if it may challenge them to do so. So Bec was assigned the #1 2016 UK album "The Wonder of You with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra," the sequel release to "If I Can Dream," which we have not covered on TCBCast before! Produced by Nick Patrick, Don Reedman and Priscilla Presley, same as the first volume, which Bec really liked, can she make the case that it's...
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There's an old saying that when life hands you lemons, make lemonade - Bec, Ryan and Olivia challenge themselves to make the most out of the weakest films in Elvis' cinematic canon, spotlighting their favorite and most redeeming musical performances from their least favorite Elvis movies. For Song of the Week, Olivia deep-dives the fascinating history of what, for Elvis, was a throwaway goof during the making of That's The Way It Is, as "Froggy Went A-Courtin'" evolved from cutting political satire to folk tradition and finally to children's song. Then, Ryan celebrates the songwriting...
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Bec is joined this week by John Michael Heath to rank their all-time favorite co-stars from across Elvis's Hollywood career. From Debra Paget to Mary Tyler Moore, which ladies made the cut? You'll just have to give it a listen and find out... For Song of the Week, Bec spotlights the playful "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" from 1965's "Girl Happy." Then John reflects on the somber brilliance of Elvis's interpretation of the classic folk tune "Danny Boy" - including his 1958 home recordings and the beloved 1976 "Jungle Room" version. If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a...
info_outlineThis week, Gurdip & Justin are joined by Mary Patricia, an enthusiastic young Elvis fan and mutual acquaintance of TCBCast regular Jaime Kay. Mary's representing an even younger generation of Elvis fan, and a wide variety of topics are discussed ranging from visiting Graceland to Elvis' feature films and beyond.
Then, for Song of the Week, we're covering songs suggested & voted upon by TCBCast Patreon supporters, so you get to hear about Gurdip's surprising appreciation for the very country "Tomorrow Never Comes" from 1970, as well as Justin's deep dive into the various iterations of "Hurt" starting with (of course) Roy Hamilton and concluding with a conversation about the 1977 "Elvis in Concert" version.
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