Elvis Presley - Look Out, Broadway (RCA VICTOR LSP-3553)

Frankie And Johnny is the twelfth soundtrack album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 3553, in March 1, 1966. An excursion into Dixieland and Ragtime music, it is the soundtrack to the 1966 film of the same name starring Presley. Recording sessions took place at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California, on May 12, 13, and 14, 1965. It peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Top LP's chart, remaining 19 weeks on the chart. The album reached #26 on the Cash Box Albums chart. It was certified Gold and Platinum on January 6, 2004, by the RIAA. The album sold over 1,500,000 copies in the US. In the UK, it reached #11 on the Albums chart, and sold over 35,000 copies at time. The album sold over 2,000,000 copies worldwide. Content: To coincide with the 19th century setting of the film, some traditional song material was used for the soundtrack. "When The Saints Go Marching In" is an old gospel hymn that has become a jazz standard associated with the traditional hot jazz of New Orleans. It is paired in a medley with "Down By The Riverside", another traditional gospel song dating back to the relevant time period. Both are in the public domain, and the team of Giant, Baum, and Kaye captured the publishing for Freddy Bienstock and Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker. The title song, "Frankie And Johnny," is a variant on the American popular song first published in 1904 and credited to Hughie Cannon. With changed lyrics, another publishing royalty was secured for Gladys Music. Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that, due to the film's period setting, the album is dominated by retro Dixieland music, while biographer Mike Eder wrote that the period setting allows the album to get away with a bit more than usual, with a deliberately outdated sound. Peter Jones and Jopling Norman described the record as very rag-time, with vibrant, brassy backings that add variety to Presley's catalogue. The authors of "Elvis" (2001) wrote that the album de-emphasised Presley's rocking beat in favour of old-timey Dixie and Ragtime beat. Adam Litovitz noted the mix of traditional songs with an ersatz Dixieland flavor alongside blues, gospel, and gypsy music at their cheesiest. Regarding the title track, Eder noted that touches of jazz are rare on a Presley album. He also noted the mock-gypsy melody on "Chesay" and added that "Everybody Come Around", "Shout It Out" and "Come Along" have vaudeville arrangements with old-time Dixie horns, ukulele and banjo. Twelve songs were recorded at the sessions for "Frankie And Johnny", and all were used and issued on the soundtrack. The title song was issued as a single, with "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" on the B-side. Released either just before or simultaneously with the album, depending if the disputed release dates are correct, "Frankie And Johnny" peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, with the b-side also charting at #45. Follow That Dream: In 2003 "Frankie And Johnny" was reissued on the "Follow That Dream" label in a special edition that contained the original album tracks along with numerous alternate takes. Personnel - Elvis Presley: vocals; The Jordanaires: backing vocals; Eileen Wilson: vocals; George Worth: trumpet; Richard Noel: trombone; John Johnson: tuba; Gus Bivona: saxophone; Scotty Moore: electric guitar; Tiny Timbrell: acoustic guitar; Charlie McCoy: guitar, harmonica on "Hard Luck”; Larry Muhoberac: piano; Bob Moore: double bass; D.J. Fontana: drums; Buddy Harman: drums. Note: "Frankie And Johnny" was released as a single (RCA Victor 47-8780) in March 1, 1966 and appeared on Billboard's Hot 100 list for 8 weeks. Its highest position was #25. The single's B-side, "Please Don't Stop Loving Me", also charted for 8 weeks and reached #45. The single reached #14 in Canada.