AN EXCLUSIVE INDEPTH INTERVIEW WITH ERNST JORGENSEN. PART 1.
By Andylon Lensen & Ep.Gold.Readers.
Well, it took a little while before Ernst and I were both satisfied on the interview we both wanted, because this time we (I was more nosy of course...) wanted to do it right!!!.
Anyway, last week we had several phone conversations (I think four-five times ) next to the e-mails from our Ep.Gold readers who had the opportunity to participate this time and allowed them to ask Ernst also some serious questions concerning the upcoming releases on the FTD- RCA / BMG CD Labels, etcetera.
From my part this is the loooongest interview I ever did with anyone in the Elvis World, I guess all in all, I had OVER 50 questions and most of them were clear enough for me to publish, some I am not allowed to publish and a few questions I made, I went too far.... a quote by Ernst; "I can not answer these questions, Andylon these are strictly confidential only for
RCA/BMG"
Well, what the heck I thought and said to Ernst: "I and the Elvis fans wanted to know", that's why I am asking you these questions....lol.
I am the Interviewer Ernst...
"yes , Andylon and "I am the one who can answer you or not”.... lol
RUMOURS.
Ernst, what must be very irritating for you is, ( at least for me ) that there is not a week passing by or there pops-up a new rumour.
I know BMG is NOT paying you your wages by answering all those other Elvis web sites by answering them if it's true or not.
I do know you get paid when you make a public statement to promote a new release on FTD- RCA /BMG releases..
At least because these are facts..lol
It is sad that they even mention they are shy about doing this but at the same time it goes on and on, and there is always...we heard this and that, or there is a rumour, a maybe, a possibility..... But they just wham-bam-bam copy it from other sites and just publish it.
Wham, bam, bam, Andylon?
Oh, that's just the words I use for their middle name, wham, bam, bam. Sites...lol
Well, normally if you want to publish the facts at least you can do is first check it out or take the effort to make some phone-calls before publishing NEWS... that's how they call it, Ernst.... News... maybe they should change their name into Yellow papers News
and it is sometimes annoying for me too Ernst, because our site are getting e-mails, if it is true or not and I am not able to answer them right away...
so here I go again..send e-mails or make phone-calls to the BMG US and UK or to you to find out the facts.
And mostly the answers: "What? Uhhh, Really???, Oh, I didn't know that, where can we order it, Andylon...lol"
That's why we take all the effort, time, money on phone-calls to check it first before we publish it and I can say this also for the site from Paul Dowling World Wide Elvis and Solid Gold Elvis.
Now what I did Ernst, with all the rumours from the last couple of years ( and some rumours started to lead their own life and up until today ) and they still mention and talk about it; that it exists, it is in the vaults, and on and on...
I placed the rumours on one pile and want to throw them to you.....hihi
And I have to throw the pile rumours back with answers, Andylon.
Right Ernst.
Okay, Andylon...call me back on Monday afternoon and we work on this.
And we did...and the following days, last week...so here it goes :
The last rumour this week published on other sites is that the new upcoming FTD "Southbend" , contains bonus tracks.
And one bonus track is a "NEW" song that Elvis sings during the introduction?
Is this true, Ernst?
What? No,no, this is not true at all, Andylon.
Okay, but will there be bonus tracks on this CD and how many?
We will add 3 bonus tracks.
Are the titles and information on these bonus tracks known yet?
Even on the bonus tracks whe haven't decided which tracks we will add, we got about 200 songs to add as bonus tracks.
We are now focused completely on the "Close-Up" box-set and working on the compilation of "2nd To None", album.
How come we don't get any alternate of "Good Luck Charm" , On Studio B. That was the place to put it officially for the first time: isn't it obvious?
There are no unreleased takes of "Good Luck Charm", sorry.
For the "Girl Happy" CD, why is it that we don't get an outtake of "I've Got To Find My Baby" , with the extra verse?
Because we don't have it in our vaults.
I presume track 24 on "Girl Happy" is going to be the master version of the main title at the "correct" speed. Am I right?
Yes.
On which track do we hear the saxophone player, mentioned in the footnotes of "It Happened At The World's Fair" ?
Good question - I don’t have the time to listen to it now, so let's discuss when you have heard the record.
Is FTD going to release in the same movie series "Viva Las Vegas" ?
Yes, that's the intention.
How are you going to manage the movies with very limited number of songs like" Follow That Dream" and talking about "Follow That Dream" , did you find the master tape in Stereo?
No, the Stereo master is still missing. As for how we release the short ones, and those with no outtakes, we haven't decided yet.
Naturally, "On Tour" , is on everybody's mind. What's going to happen with this one finally?
As for the movie, only TURNER knows, they own the rights.
As for the music, we will definitely release more of it on both RCA and FTD.
And on "Close Up"" box-set. Can you verify if they are going to present master versions of 70's songs without overdubbing?
No, they are not.
And is CD 1 on the "Close-up" box-set all binaural, because on the press-release it's stated Stereo?
Because this box set is released for the big market we rather call it Stereo, but for the Elvis die-hard fans it's of course all binaural takes.
And CD 4 the Live show, San Antonio, Tx. is that show also a Stereo release, I guess you got the 16 track Master reel?
Doesn't it mention on the press release, Andylon?
Nope...
Okay.. it is Stereo
When are you going to release the complete "Aloha Dress Rehearsal" 1973, fully remixed? And what about Midsouth 1974?
We are looking into it - especially the 1974 show.
When will the next round of 3 movie CD 's will be released on FTD?
If this projects is successful, we are planning to do this again at Christmas time this year.
My favourite ever Elvis recording is "Let yourself go" , from the comeback special..Except for the "bordello" version with the weird instrumental and the legendary performer version (which appears spliced), there is not a single full version available as far as I know.
Have any complete takes surfaced?
It was recorded in pieces, and they only way to release it is by splicing it together
Do we get also FTD releases with only 50's outtakes or live?
It was planned to do a complete FTD CD. with binaural, but now it's on the "Close -Up" box - set.
And for other 50's outtakes and live-shows, not at this time we need to find more.
When will the FTD Website be up and running?
The Elvis World is waiting and has been so for a long time.
What kind of new information can you tell us about the FTD Website?
And will there be a forum?
This is on hold, simply because we don't have the time to do it now. We are working on "Close-up" box -set and now we are working on the compilation for the "2nd to none" , album and than there will be a remix single release and another FTD "Southbend" and the Christmas / Gospel CD, really we are fully booked at BMG this year. I am sure you would rather want us to do what we do for RCA and FTD just now.
Yep, Ernst... Keep them comin'.... lol.
Can we expect on releasing a remixed version of the "Live On Stage in Memphis" , CD (1974) and in its entirety?
Again to answer your question at some stage - Yes
Does FTD plan on re-releasing just the soundtracks? All of the soundtracks? Especially "Viva Las Vegas" ?
It will depend on interest from the fans, but we hope (and believe) that we will be able to release all of them.
Any plans for releasing deleted NON-soundtrack albums? "The Legendary Performer" Volumes, "Memories of Elvis" , etc?
It will to some extent be dependant on what RCA wants to do with their catalogue. I don't think we would want to release either LEGENDARY or MEMORIES, but other titles may turn up.
Is there a timetable for this? How many "Special Releases” like this will be released each year?
No, We’ll have to see the reaction of the first three, but we are preparing more material for Christmas.
miscellaneous questions:
Will the ""Hound Dog" /" Don't be cruel" sessions ever be discovered?
We have no leads - they may very well have been destroyed in 1959.
Any plans for updating " Madison Square Garden" , " Live On Stage in Memphis" or the 1968 Special?
No.
Are there any dream projects that you want to do that you haven't been able to do for one reason or another?
Oh Ernst, did I ever tell you someone offered to me all the outtakes of " Hound Dog" in binaural , Ernst?
They wanted at that time $ 12.000 dollar for it.
Yes, I heard the tape it was also known to us, we found out it was all fake, you won't believe nowadays what they can do in the studio to make it sound real, it's incredible.
There was a guy who had a "Mystery Train" in stereo, it was fun to listen to, though .lol
And what about the other rumour that the complete "King Creole" exists in binaural or any other outtakes, Ernst?
Oh, that rumour is really still living his own life ha,
No, no, a couple of years ago I did a interview with a Canadian guy, and he asked me what would be
great release by us and I made a cynical answer that it would be great to release a complete binaural session "King Creole" .
And he misunderstood and told in his interview he said, that this were in our vaults.
So, this is a MISSUNDERSTANDING we have no binaural or any other outtakes from "King Creole" .
But I would love to do a 10 CD SUN- box, but I don't have enough recordings. (Lol)
Then we both order our copy, Ernst.
See what you do Ernst, now a new rumour will pop-up... a Ten CD Sun box...lol
There is one Ep.Gold reader who has a personal question Ernst
How can I be Ernst& Roger's assistant/protégée? I'd give my left arm if I had to.
I do think Ernst that is a heavy statement, if I had to answer this question I would have said: isn't that a shame I just need
a right arm, because I am missing my left.... lol
Well to give a serious answer : If he is an expert on some usable Elvis matter, we would certainly like to hear- or anybody else!
There has been rumours about a soon to be released bootleg of the concert from Lake Tahoe, May 13 1973.
It was announced a couple of years ago that this was soon to come. What happened?
And I also wonder if we will get the Wichita December 1976 concert?
'73 Tahoe concert will be one of the next FTD soundboards.
No date yet. And nothing planned for Wichita at this time.
Part Two coming soon exclusive on Ep.Gold.Com.
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Quelle: 2003/04/29 Ernst Jorgensen / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com</span>
„Zeit, die man zu verschwenden genießt, ist nicht verschwendet.“ — John Lennon
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