Bootlegs with offically unreleased STUDIO outtakes

[Bilbobaggins]

The 2-CD set 'The Complete Spinout Sessions" has quite some unreleased takes (until a FTD sessions box is released, wich will surely happen, I think). Released by 'The Famous Groove' in 1997... A lot of these outtakes were also released on several different other bootlegs.

I am assuming you have a list of Bootleg CDs that still contain officially unreleased studio outtakes or are you just using Keith Flynn as the source?? Basically the boot CDs that are still worth keeping as a collector

Yep, I have a big excel-list of studiorecordings that I keep up to date for more than 15 years now. It starts with the first recording of 'My Happiness' and ends with ' He'll Have To Go'. Every studiotake is in the list, even if the take is lost, erased, or still unreleased., There is more info in the list (tracktime, matrixnumbers, what CD or LP the best version that I have is on, etc). I crosscheck it every now and with Keith's site. That's why I place a link to his site most of the time. He's the authority on this matter after all, and I do appreciate his fantastic work...

[Bilbobaggins]

@Sweet-Angeline, here are some screenshots / examples what the pages look like. So that you have an idea. What a great hobby this is!

[Sweet-Angeline]

@Sweet-Angeline, here are some screenshots / examples what the pages look like. So that you have an idea. What a great hobby this is!

looks incredible thanks for posting...bottom line (including the ones you have already posted) we can`t be looking at that big of number are we?? pertaining to unreleased studio material still only available on bootlegs, as I would think that number has dropped significantly over the years.

[Bilbobaggins]

@Sweet-Angeline, here are some screenshots / examples what the pages look like. So that you have an idea. What a great hobby this is!

looks incredible thanks for posting...bottom line (including the ones you have already posted) we can`t be looking at that big of number are we?? pertaining to unreleased studio material still only available on bootlegs, as I would think that number has dropped significantly over the years.

Yes, the number of unreleased takes on bootlegs has steadily dropped since FTD started releasing sessions. Some boots, that I haven't mentioned yet, with still a reasonable amount of unreleased takes are 'The Complete Frankie And Johnny Sessions' and the 'Welcome To The Jungle' series. 'Hard Knocks" also has some unreleased takes. I will post about them later.

I think there will be a moment when every single second of Elvis singing in the studio will be released officially. (I don't think Elvis would have appreciated that, by the way)

But for the rest... there's not much left. Except for some releases with alternate, undubbed and unedited mixes.

[Sweet-Angeline]

But for the rest... there's not much left.

just out of curiosity, is there anything still left on bootlegs with regards to the rehearsals or has Sony covered all of that officially?? thanks

[Bilbobaggins]

But for the rest... there's not much left.

just out of curiosity, is there anything still left on bootlegs with regards to the rehearsals or has Sony covered all of that officially?? thanks

I never really looked into that. I believe there are (small) parts of the rehearsals for 'On Tour' still not released officially. And maybe some rehearsals for That's The Way It Is' are slightly edited by Sony. But I'm not sure about that.

[Alexander72]

The 2-CD set 'The Complete Spinout Sessions" has quite some unreleased takes (until a FTD sessions box is released, wich will surely happen, I think). Released by 'The Famous Groove' in 1997... A lot of these outtakes were also released on several different other bootlegs.

I am assuming you have a list of Bootleg CDs that still contain officially unreleased studio outtakes or are you just using Keith Flynn as the source?? Basically the boot CDs that are still worth keeping as a collector

Yep, I have a big excel-list of studiorecordings that I keep up to date for more than 15 years now. It starts with the first recording of 'My Happiness' and ends with ' He'll Have To Go'. Every studiotake is in the list, even if the take is lost, erased, or still unreleased., There is more info in the list (tracktime, matrixnumbers, what CD or LP the best version that I have is on, etc). I crosscheck it every now and with Keith's site. That's why I place a link to his site most of the time. He's the authority on this matter after all, and I do appreciate his fantastic work...

That's amazing work @Bilbobaggins. It's truly amazing to see how many specialists there are in our Elvis niche. I know collectors who truly know all the ins and outs of available 8mm concert films (filmed dates and angles) and collect them. Then there are the notorious collectors of audience recordings, the photo collectors who can date a photo based on a single detail, and then, of course, there are vinyl collectors like myself (who can be further subdivided into specialists in German, American, Japanese, and British vinyl, single variations or post-2000 vinyl). But when it comes to outtakes and bootlegs, my knowledge is quite average (I have a handful, plus all the FTD Classic albums and some of the most interesting Complete Sessions). For my knowledge I depend on specialists like you. Let's keep sharing our knowledge with each other. It's wonderful.

[Bilbobaggins]

Another Bootleg that has unreleased outtakes is the 1996 'Famous Groove' release 'The Complete Frankie & Johnny Sessions'. They are not really complete because some of the tapes are lost or not found yet...

These tracks are not exactly Elvis' opus magnum... but still... here it is.

These takes are officially unreleased

Everybody come aboard #3 fs
Everybody come aboard #4 cpl
Everybody come aboard #5 lfs
Everybody come aboard #7 lfs
Everybody come aboard #8 lfs
Everybody come aboard #11 lfs
Everybody come aboard #12 fs
Everybody come aboard #13 cpl
Everybody come aboard #14 lfs
Everybody come aboard #16 cpl

Please don't stop loving me #4 fs
Please don't stop loving me #5 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #6 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #8 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #9 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #11 fs
Please don't stop loving me #12 fs
Please don't stop loving me #13 fs
Please don't stop loving me #14 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #15 fs
Please don't stop loving me #16 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #17 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #18 cpl

Petunia the gardener's daughter #1 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #3 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #4 lfs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 1 fs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 2 fs

Look out Broadway #1 lfs
Look out Broadway #2 lfs
Look out Broadway #9 cpl
Look out Broadway #10 fs
Look out Broadway #11 lfs

Chesay #2 fs
Chesay #4 cpl
Chesay #5 lfs

Frankie and Johnny #2 fs
Frankie and Johnny #5 lfs

Shout it out #1 lfs
Shout it out #2 fs
Shout it out #3 lfs
Shout it out #4 lfs
Shout it out #5 lfs
Shout it out #6 lfs


Don't forget to check: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... 02.html#26

[John]

Another Bootleg that has unreleased outtakes is the 1996 'Famous Groove' release 'The Complete Frankie & Johnny Sessions'. They are not really complete because some of the tapes are lost or not found yet...

These tracks are not exactly Elvis' opus magnum... but still... here it is.


20251123_131820.jpg


20251123_131902.jpg



These takes are officially unreleased

Everybody come aboard #3 fs
Everybody come aboard #4 cpl
Everybody come aboard #5 lfs
Everybody come aboard #7 lfs
Everybody come aboard #8 lfs
Everybody come aboard #11 lfs
Everybody come aboard #12 fs
Everybody come aboard #13 cpl
Everybody come aboard #14 lfs
Everybody come aboard #16 cpl

Please don't stop loving me #4 fs
Please don't stop loving me #5 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #6 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #8 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #9 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #11 fs
Please don't stop loving me #12 fs
Please don't stop loving me #13 fs
Please don't stop loving me #14 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #15 fs
Please don't stop loving me #16 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #17 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #18 cpl

Petunia the gardener's daughter #1 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #3 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #4 lfs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 1 fs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 2 fs

Look out Broadway #1 lfs
Look out Broadway #2 lfs
Look out Broadway #9 cpl
Look out Broadway #10 fs
Look out Broadway #11 lfs

Chesay #2 fs
Chesay #4 cpl
Chesay #5 lfs

Frankie and Johnny #2 fs
Frankie and Johnny #5 lfs

Shout it out #1 lfs
Shout it out #2 fs
Shout it out #3 lfs
Shout it out #4 lfs
Shout it out #5 lfs
Shout it out #6 lfs


Don't forget to check: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... 02.html#26

I reckon we'll get the sessions set before too long.

[Bilbobaggins]

@John I reckon so too...

[Mike C]

As for the Memphis '69 recordings I took the 5 volumes of the 'The American Way' CD's as my source. They are the most complete. I also have the "There's Always me' sets, Ámerican Crown Jewels' and 'Finding The Way Home', but there's nothing on those CD's that isn't on 'The American Way'. The tracks on Bilko's 'The Other Side Of Memphis' are no alternate takes, they are made by using one of the stereo channels and then made into mono tracks.

I also didn't look at any of the alternate mixes and partly overdubbed mixes that are found on many releases. Just Elvis' vocal recordings.


20251121_151330.jpg


20251121_151407.jpg


These tracks are officially unreleased:


The American Way Volume 1:

In The Ghetto - #12 - LFS
Mama Liked The Roses - Elvis' harmony vocal overdub, not used.


The American Way Volume 2:

Wearin' That Loved On Look - #4 - sfs
Wearin' That Loved On Look - #6 - fs
Wearin' That Loved On Look - #7 - fs
Wearin' That Loved On Look - #8 - fs
Wearin' That Loved On Look - #9 - fs
Wearin' That Loved On Look - #11 - lfs
Only The Strong Survive - #2 - 4x fs+lfs
Only The Strong Survive - #3 - cpl
Only The Strong Survive - #4 - 3x fs+lfs
Only The Strong Survive - #5 - 3x fs
Only The Strong Survive - #6 - cpl
Only The Strong Survive - #7 - fs+lfs
Only The Strong Survive - #9 - lfs

The American Way Volume 3:

Long Black Limousine - #4 - fs
And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind - rehearsel
And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind - #4 - lfs
If I'm A Fool For Loving You - #4 - lfs
If I'm A Fool For Loving You - #5 - sfs


The American Way Volume 4:

True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - #3 - cpl
True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - #8 - sfs+lfs
True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - #9 - sfs
True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - #10 - fs+sfs
Do You Know Who I Am - #2 - 3x fs+cpl
Do You Know Who I Am - #6 - lfs
Do You Know Who I Am - #7 - unrepaired master

The American Way Volume 5:

Kentucky Rain - #4 - fs


For more details, see: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... 03.html#41

This is a wonderful set of CDs. How they managed to get those tracks is a mystery.

Well @John, I guess we'll never know exactly. But maybe this is part of the answer:

When I visited an Elvis meeting in the Netherlands with some friends, in the mid 90's, they played a tape with tracks that clearly were unreleased outtakes. Talking to one of the people who organised the meeting, this person told us that this one tape was only a part of the many, many outtakes he had on tape. He said that a Dutchman in the Elvis-scene got dozens of 2nd generation cassette tapes filled with studio sessions and some soundboards too. This Dutchman got them from a person very high in the Elvis 'research hierarchy'. They were never given with the intention of releasing all this stuff, he said ( a little naive, I'd think). I thought he was exaggerating at the time, but later that year the first CD's were released with lots of outtakes in good quality, followed by good soundboards...

I suspect the Dutchman had access to the tapes because he had spent several days digging through the vaults of BMG when Ernst and Roger conducted their worldwide search of the vaults for material for Essential Elvis Volume 3.

[Bilbobaggins]

The next series, Welcome To The Jungle, was released by Venus in 2010 and 2011. The artwork and booklet are top notch! And there are quite a few unreleased takes on these five volumes...

Officially unreleased:


Bitter they are, harder they fall #2 fs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell

She thinks I still care #11 fs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell
She thinks I still care #12a fs+lfs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell
She thinks I still care #12b fs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell
She thinks I still care #13 fs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell
She thinks I still care #14 cpl Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell

Solitaire #1 lfs Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Solitaire #2 lfs Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Solitaire #8 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Solitaire #9 fs Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Solitaire #10 inc Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire

I'll never fall in love again #2 cpl Welcome to the jungle - hurt

Moody blue #3 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Moody blue #4 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire

Hurt ('X') reh cpl Welcome to the jungle - hurt

Danny boy #5 fs+lfs Welcome to the jungle - Never again

Never again #4 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #5 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #6 reh+lfs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #7 lfs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #8 fs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #10 lfs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #12 fs Welcome to the jungle - Never again

Love coming down #1 fs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Love coming down #2 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Never again
(beginning only)

Way down #1 inc Welcome to the jungle - Way down
Way down #2 2xfs Welcome to the jungle - Way down

Also see: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... ex.html#87

[Mike C]

Another Bootleg that has unreleased outtakes is the 1996 'Famous Groove' release 'The Complete Frankie & Johnny Sessions'. They are not really complete because some of the tapes are lost or not found yet...

These tracks are not exactly Elvis' opus magnum... but still... here it is.


20251123_131820.jpg


20251123_131902.jpg



These takes are officially unreleased

Everybody come aboard #3 fs
Everybody come aboard #4 cpl
Everybody come aboard #5 lfs
Everybody come aboard #7 lfs
Everybody come aboard #8 lfs
Everybody come aboard #11 lfs
Everybody come aboard #12 fs
Everybody come aboard #13 cpl
Everybody come aboard #14 lfs
Everybody come aboard #16 cpl

Please don't stop loving me #4 fs
Please don't stop loving me #5 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #6 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #8 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #9 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #11 fs
Please don't stop loving me #12 fs
Please don't stop loving me #13 fs
Please don't stop loving me #14 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #15 fs
Please don't stop loving me #16 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #17 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #18 cpl

Petunia the gardener's daughter #1 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #3 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #4 lfs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 1 fs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 2 fs

Look out Broadway #1 lfs
Look out Broadway #2 lfs
Look out Broadway #9 cpl
Look out Broadway #10 fs
Look out Broadway #11 lfs

Chesay #2 fs
Chesay #4 cpl
Chesay #5 lfs

Frankie and Johnny #2 fs
Frankie and Johnny #5 lfs

Shout it out #1 lfs
Shout it out #2 fs
Shout it out #3 lfs
Shout it out #4 lfs
Shout it out #5 lfs
Shout it out #6 lfs


Don't forget to check: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... 02.html#26

Many of these outtakes are also in the very limited Celluloid Rock (Volume 1) released by the Cool Romeo label.

[Bilbobaggins]

Another Bootleg that has unreleased outtakes is the 1996 'Famous Groove' release 'The Complete Frankie & Johnny Sessions'. They are not really complete because some of the tapes are lost or not found yet...

These tracks are not exactly Elvis' opus magnum... but still... here it is.


20251123_131820.jpg


20251123_131902.jpg



These takes are officially unreleased

Everybody come aboard #3 fs
Everybody come aboard #4 cpl
Everybody come aboard #5 lfs
Everybody come aboard #7 lfs
Everybody come aboard #8 lfs
Everybody come aboard #11 lfs
Everybody come aboard #12 fs
Everybody come aboard #13 cpl
Everybody come aboard #14 lfs
Everybody come aboard #16 cpl

Please don't stop loving me #4 fs
Please don't stop loving me #5 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #6 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #8 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #9 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #11 fs
Please don't stop loving me #12 fs
Please don't stop loving me #13 fs
Please don't stop loving me #14 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #15 fs
Please don't stop loving me #16 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #17 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #18 cpl

Petunia the gardener's daughter #1 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #3 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #4 lfs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 1 fs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 2 fs

Look out Broadway #1 lfs
Look out Broadway #2 lfs
Look out Broadway #9 cpl
Look out Broadway #10 fs
Look out Broadway #11 lfs

Chesay #2 fs
Chesay #4 cpl
Chesay #5 lfs

Frankie and Johnny #2 fs
Frankie and Johnny #5 lfs

Shout it out #1 lfs
Shout it out #2 fs
Shout it out #3 lfs
Shout it out #4 lfs
Shout it out #5 lfs
Shout it out #6 lfs


Don't forget to check: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... 02.html#26

Many of these outtakes are also in the very limited Celluloid Rock (Volume 1) released by the Cool Romeo label.

Thanks @Mike C. I know, but I limit it to the most complete releases I have in my own collection. Indeed, these takes are released on several boots. The Celluloid boxes were very nice at the time!

[Sweet-Angeline]

The next series, Welcome To The Jungle, was released by Venus in 2010 and 2011. The artwork and booklet are top notch! And there are quite a few unreleased takes on these five volumes...

...that would make a really nice COMPLETE SESSIONS SET from FTD Do you have THE LAST FAREWELL THE GRACELAND STUDIO SESSIONS 1976 on the Major Parkhill label (steel box with very nice book and 5 CDs...stunning)??

[John]

The next series, Welcome To The Jungle, was released by Venus in 2010 and 2011. The artwork and booklet are top notch! And there are quite a few unreleased takes on these five volumes...


20251127_105448.jpg


20251127_105516.jpg

Officially unreleased:


Bitter they are, harder they fall #2 fs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell

She thinks I still care #11 fs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell
She thinks I still care #12a fs+lfs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell
She thinks I still care #12b fs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell
She thinks I still care #13 fs Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell
She thinks I still care #14 cpl Welcome to the jungle - The last farewell

Solitaire #1 lfs Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Solitaire #2 lfs Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Solitaire #8 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Solitaire #9 fs Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Solitaire #10 inc Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire

I'll never fall in love again #2 cpl Welcome to the jungle - hurt

Moody blue #3 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire
Moody blue #4 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Solitaire

Hurt ('X') reh cpl Welcome to the jungle - hurt

Danny boy #5 fs+lfs Welcome to the jungle - Never again

Never again #4 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #5 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #6 reh+lfs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #7 lfs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #8 fs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #10 lfs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Never again #12 fs Welcome to the jungle - Never again

Love coming down #1 fs Welcome to the jungle - Never again
Love coming down #2 cpl Welcome to the jungle - Never again
(beginning only)

Way down #1 inc Welcome to the jungle - Way down
Way down #2 2xfs Welcome to the jungle - Way down

Also see: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... ex.html#87

This is a brilliant set of CDs.

[Bilbobaggins]

The next series, Welcome To The Jungle, was released by Venus in 2010 and 2011. The artwork and booklet are top notch! And there are quite a few unreleased takes on these five volumes...

...that would make a really nice COMPLETE SESSIONS SET from FTD Do you have THE LAST FAREWELL THE GRACELAND STUDIO SESSIONS 1976 on the Major Parkhill label (steel box with very nice book and 5 CDs...stunning)??

No, I don't have that set. For what I have seen, it's a beauty indeed. BTW... I have little doubt that there will be a FTD sessions set at one point.

[JoeyCoco]

The next series, Welcome To The Jungle, was released by Venus in 2010 and 2011. The artwork and booklet are top notch! And there are quite a few unreleased takes on these five volumes...

...that would make a really nice COMPLETE SESSIONS SET from FTD Do you have THE LAST FAREWELL THE GRACELAND STUDIO SESSIONS 1976 on the Major Parkhill label (steel box with very nice book and 5 CDs...stunning)??

No, I don't have that set. For what I have seen, it's a beauty indeed. BTW... I have little doubt that there will be a FTD sessions set at one point.

The Major Parkhill set is truly a gem, especially because of its packaging and the included booklet. The audio is most likely sourced from the Venus releases. I own both labels, and there’s no noticeable difference in sound quality. The Major Parkhill set has become harder to find, but the advantage is that it contains everything in one purchase, unlike the five separate Venus CDs.

[KingElvis]

The next series, Welcome To The Jungle, was released by Venus in 2010 and 2011. The artwork and booklet are top notch! And there are quite a few unreleased takes on these five volumes...


Way down #1 inc Welcome to the jungle - Way down
Way down #2 2xfs Welcome to the jungle - Way down

Also see: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... ex.html#87

I think every take from the October sessions is available officially….this song and the other 3.
Anyway I havent listened to these recordings in a long time…maybe time to revisit them

[JoeyCoco]

Another Bootleg that has unreleased outtakes is the 1996 'Famous Groove' release 'The Complete Frankie & Johnny Sessions'. They are not really complete because some of the tapes are lost or not found yet...

These tracks are not exactly Elvis' opus magnum... but still... here it is.


20251123_131820.jpg


20251123_131902.jpg



These takes are officially unreleased

Everybody come aboard #3 fs
Everybody come aboard #4 cpl
Everybody come aboard #5 lfs
Everybody come aboard #7 lfs
Everybody come aboard #8 lfs
Everybody come aboard #11 lfs
Everybody come aboard #12 fs
Everybody come aboard #13 cpl
Everybody come aboard #14 lfs
Everybody come aboard #16 cpl

Please don't stop loving me #4 fs
Please don't stop loving me #5 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #6 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #8 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #9 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #11 fs
Please don't stop loving me #12 fs
Please don't stop loving me #13 fs
Please don't stop loving me #14 lfs
Please don't stop loving me #15 fs
Please don't stop loving me #16 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #17 cpl
Please don't stop loving me #18 cpl

Petunia the gardener's daughter #1 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #3 cpl
Petunia the gardener's daughter #4 lfs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 1 fs
Petunia the gardener's daughter insert 2 fs

Look out Broadway #1 lfs
Look out Broadway #2 lfs
Look out Broadway #9 cpl
Look out Broadway #10 fs
Look out Broadway #11 lfs

Chesay #2 fs
Chesay #4 cpl
Chesay #5 lfs

Frankie and Johnny #2 fs
Frankie and Johnny #5 lfs

Shout it out #1 lfs
Shout it out #2 fs
Shout it out #3 lfs
Shout it out #4 lfs
Shout it out #5 lfs
Shout it out #6 lfs


Don't forget to check: https://www.keithflynn.uk/recording-ses ... 02.html#26

Many of these outtakes are also in the very limited Celluloid Rock (Volume 1) released by the Cool Romeo label.

Thanks @Mike C. I know, but I limit it to the most complete releases I have in my own collection. Indeed, these takes are released on several boots. The Celluloid boxes were very nice at the time!

When collectors discuss essential Elvis audio releases, the spotlight often falls on the Follow That Dream (FTD) releases. Yet one label from the late 1990s and early 2000s continues to stand out as unexpectedly significant: Cool Romeo and its Celluloid Rock & Unsurpassed Masters series.

Released between 1998 and 2002, these sets appeared during a time when high-quality archival Elvis material was still rare and scattered across uneven bootlegs. Cool Romeo entered the scene with a different approach: carefully curated, alternate takes, session reels, and studio chatter presented in structured, well-thought-out volumes. Unlike many informal fan-made releases of the era, these weren’t rough tape transfers — they were professionally prepared collections with shockingly good sound quality.

To this day, there is no definitive answer. Some believe private collectors had safety copies. Others theorize industry insiders leaked tapes during RCA’s transitional corporate years. Whatever the truth, Cool Romeo’s output demonstrated one thing clearly: these releases were not sourced from fan-dubbed cassettes, they came from high-quality tape lineage.


And in many cases, the results rival — or even surpass — official releases.

A striking example is “Power of My Love” (Take 1). On Cool Romeo’s Unsurpassed Masters series, the take is noticeably more complete compared to the version later issued on FTD’s American Sound 1969 session box. Cool Romeo preserved additional studio chatter and musical lead-in material that gives listeners a fuller sense of the recording environment, something serious collectors value highly.

Even today, decades later, many collectors still regard these sets as reference-level listening. While FTD ultimately expanded the archive with more complete material, alternate takes, and historical context, Cool Romeo’s releases remain:
- historically significant,
- sonically impressive,
- and crucial stepping stones in the evolution of serious Elvis archival collecting.

In hindsight, Cool Romeo’s Unsurpassed Masters & Celluloid Rock weren’t just another bootleg series, they were part of the shift that proved there was demand for complete, well-presented studio sessions rather than random compilations. That pressure arguably helped shape the direction of later official archival releases.