Harum Scarum [Box set, Import]

Elvis Presley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 24, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Sony Bmg Europe
• ASIN: B0000X1IVC
• Also Available in: DVD Audio  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,976 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Harem Holiday

2. My Desert Serenade

3. Go East (Young Man)

4. Mirage

5. Kismet

6. Shake That Tambourine

7. Hey Little Girl

8. Golden Coins

9. So Close

10. Yet So Far (From Paradise)

11. Animal Instinct

12. Wisdom Of The Ages

13. My Desert Serenade (Take 7)

14. Hey Little Girl (Takes 1 & 2)

15. Shake That Tambourine (Takes 7 & 8)

16. Golden Coins (Takes 3 & 4)

17. Animal Instinct (Takes 1, 3 & 4)

18. Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Take 1)

19. Shake That Tambourine (Take 10 & 16)

20. Hey Little Girl (Take 3)

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elvis Presley's take on middle eastern music, December 28, 2005

By 

Petter Sellers - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harum Scarum (Audio CD)

One major characteristic of Elvis Presley's films and in extend soundtracks is that they all travel around the globe.
The soundtracks in particular, based on the given locale, tend to mix international ethnic organs and orchestrations with the unmistakeable Elvis sound. Elvis appears to master even a tune with Middle Eastern feeling and make it western to our ears. That is debated as a plus or a minus by various critics.
Between the above-mentioned plus and minus is where a feeling stands in terms of bying this album. We do have some typical rockers like "Shake That Tambourine" and "Hey, Little Girl" that could be easily placed on any other Presley soundtrack or-not set. Then, we have some exciting songs in terms of having Elvis to stretch his performance standards and provide us a cult classic such as the "So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise)" The list goes on with basic yet effective ballads such as "Kismet" and the now to be recognized as the most eastern in feeling and delivery from Presley "Golden Coins". Do listen to the overall slow tempo and the flute accompaniment to Presley's soft yet solid performance that is evidenced on the out-takes.
Still, the feeling of the album provides a somewhat tight concept, with few holes here and there, if ones seek a Middle Eastern Elvis. An Elvis that has equally if not better in the past has provided us with instant travelling experiences through previous soundtracks.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Harum Scarum, High Value, February 11, 2004

By 

Claire Panozzo "Josh Morgan" (Memphis, Tennesee, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harum Scarum (Audio CD)

Harum Scarum was knocked down by many as the worst Elvis film. However, the soundtrack is fantastic with a great desert beat great songs such as :Go East Young Man and Shake That Tambourine.
The price is kinda high but it is worth it with good packaging and fantastic photos. Another downside is the "NEW" Bonus Tracks which are really alternate takes and they sound just like the released versions. If I were you I would strongly recommended buying this nice album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Man, I can't believe I said that!, September 16, 2008

By 

Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harum Scarum (Audio CD)

This is a deluxe edition soundtrack to an Elvis movie from 1965. The songs were recorded in late February. They ran into trouble on the first day of the recording sessions, when only one song was completed, as it took 38 tries to finish "Shake That Tambourine". Day two went better, as five songs were completed. On day three, two songs were completed, and then Elvis left the session after recording two takes of "Harem Holiday" (Elvis sometimes got frustrated at the poor selection of songs for his soundtrack recording sessions and would walk out). With Elvis gone, the musicians recording the backing tracks to the final two songs for the soundtrack without him. A couple of weeks later, Elvis overdubbed his vocals to those backing tracks, along with recording a new vocal for "Harem Holiday".

So, how is the music? Not very good, actually. RCA Records thought so little of the soundtrack that they didn't even bother to release a single from the album. The only song that I would call "good" is "So Close, Yet So Far", and it's not THAT good. Most of the other songs are pretty bad, although a few of them, like "Shake That Tambourine" and the pedophile anthem "Hey Little Girl" have a certain energy. This deluxe CD features alternate takes of all the songs except for the two that the musicians recorded without Elvis. The most interesting thing about the alternate takes is hearing Elvis goof around in between takes. This CD will only be of interest to hardcore Elvis fans.